The new Adventure Mobile

SWbySWesty · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:17 am Post subject: The new Adventure Mobile

Hi Everyone!

I never fully introduced myself. I'm Garrett. I live in Los Angeles, work full-time in healthcare in marketing and am also a full-time graduate student at Pepperdine University Shocked

Last month, I picked up a 1986 Westfalia and it's been awesome since!

Here are two posts on my blog about the van and I'll be posting updates as my girlfriend Samantha and I move along with it! The end plan is drive it on a HUGE road trip of CA to Alaska, Canada and the rest of the US - then maybe South America.

Check us out!

GETTING THE NEW VAN - http://theadventurebrigade.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-adventure-mobile.html

STEREO UPGRADE AND CLEANING - http://theadventurebrigade.blogspot.com/2010/10/spent-some-time-last-night-in-van-sam.html
_________________
1986 Westy - Billie Jean
A Westy with a Jeep heart (Pura Vida)
www.theadventurebrigade.blogspot.com - Latest update: Johnson Valley - Nov 22, 2011

CQ · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:56 am Post subject:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Vanagon... time to empty your check book and have a great time doing so. Smile

First thing is always CHANGE YOUR FUEL LINES!!!
_________________
82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.

SWbySWesty · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:59 am Post subject:

randywebb · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject:

I'll be interested to hear your comparison of a Jeep product (which?) with your Westy.

Is it a 2wd or a Syncro?
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

DAIZEE · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject:

Welcome to Vanagonitis. No we don't hand out credit cards but we sure do eat them up Wink

Many many miles ahead of you. Nice looking van.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

SWbySWesty · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:44 pm Post subject:

dhaavers · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:54 pm Post subject:

Mmmm...welcome to the world of self-destructing tan corduroy...

No, seriously - that's a sweet ride & a great model year! Have fun! Wink

Happy trails!
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

Jedi · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:02 pm Post subject:

Welcom to the money pit. You are lucky your 2wd is cheaper to maintain than a syncro Laughing

But when it comes down to it nothing can offer you the home away from home free spirit feeling of a Vanagon Cool

Word to the wise. "Don't cheap out on parts or service." Exclamation

Have fun keep us posted. PS I needed to order a new AFM today $550 Rolling Eyes

Welcome to the world of Vanagon
_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro

SWbySWesty · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys!

New update: I wired up the rear cigarette lighter to my auxiliary battery. I can run my small travel inverter off of it to power my laptop for movies or charging cell phones, etc via AC power (I don't have a laptop travel thingy). This runs through a 15 amp fuse.

This is good news at least for this weekend since I will most likely need to do some homework while camping in the Los Padres NF.
_________________
1986 Westy - Billie Jean
A Westy with a Jeep heart (Pura Vida)
www.theadventurebrigade.blogspot.com - Latest update: Johnson Valley - Nov 22, 2011

DAIZEE · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 2:34 pm Post subject:

Just a heads up. You might have some confused people by using the term Adventure as there is an Adventure Van, I think.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

syncrodoka · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:00 pm Post subject:

Adventurewagen DAIZEE. Adventurewagen
Since they call themselves "The Adventure Brigade" the name "Adventure Mobile" works.

SWbySWesty · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject:

Well, Daizee is right. Kinda confusing. It's a Westy - not adventurewagen. We were the adv brigade with Jeep though so it carries over
_________________
1986 Westy - Billie Jean
A Westy with a Jeep heart (Pura Vida)
www.theadventurebrigade.blogspot.com - Latest update: Johnson Valley - Nov 22, 2011

DAIZEE · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:05 am Post subject:

ok, not a problem. Smile

_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Lotek · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:06 am Post subject:

Nice van. How about some photos/details on your stereo install?

SWbySWesty · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 8:14 am Post subject:

VanWilder · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 9:10 am Post subject:

Welcome indeed. I wish I could have made the Hot Spring run.

Don't forget to spend some time in Oregon when you come through.
We have a lot of great things to see and a great VW community.

Enjoy the ride....

J.C.
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land"

SWbySWesty · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 9:55 am Post subject:

OK, stereo pictures as requested:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

a JVC Arsenal KD-AHD69 available at Crutchfield for $159 (and includes two free 6x9 speakers which I haven't decided where I'll put yet!) Notice that I don't have the keys in the ignition and the radio still works...teehee, good times in camp! The ONLY downfall is that although it fits, if you have RCA outs to the subwoofer like I do, it doesn't push in all the way...d'oh. I'll figure something out, but for now, it doesn't bother me.

I'm getting some crackling out of the front right door speaker so it's probably blown out (the radio was missing when i got it so I assumed the worst). Eventually I'll get a 4-channel amp to run new front/rear speakers of stock size and the 6x9s wherever they go for better high notes while letting the woofer carry all the bass.

Then, I wired in the subwoofer package from my Jeep. I mounted the amplifier to the back of the woofer (I know some stereo gurus HATE this practice, but it works for me) and ran the power cable under the carpet and under the rear seat to the DUAL Optima Yellowtop National Luna power pack auxiliary system I created. Here's a picture of the placement of the woofer...nice and clean:

Now, I will refrain from showing you pictures of the twin battery National Luna power pack setup as I feel it's quite ugly and confusing...I even shorted two wires putting it together! So, the plan will be to install a BlueSea fuse panel under the rear seat near the power pack in order to properly run fused accessories off of it! More on that later...
_________________
1986 Westy - Billie Jean
A Westy with a Jeep heart (Pura Vida)
www.theadventurebrigade.blogspot.com - Latest update: Johnson Valley - Nov 22, 2011

CQ · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:29 am Post subject:

You lost me there so the stereo does fit flush?
_________________
82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.

SWbySWesty · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:43 am Post subject:

The stereo WOULD sit flush, but the RCA cables for the subwoofer prevent it from sitting flush. So no, it doesn't. Sad

Overall, after using it this weekend, I am UNHAPPY with the headunit. It works fine, but I thought the USB connector was for an iPod and it's not. It's kind of confusing to tinker with the audio settings as you switch between music genres (I have music ADD a lot). I'll be returning it and looking for something else.

Also, when the volume gets turned up, the speakers can't handle it, but that's because they are the stock ones...that's a whole different issue which I'll address when my wallet catches up.
_________________
1986 Westy - Billie Jean
A Westy with a Jeep heart (Pura Vida)
www.theadventurebrigade.blogspot.com - Latest update: Johnson Valley - Nov 22, 2011

CQ · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:46 am Post subject:

Bummer on the stereo I am looking for a descent one too. Fuuny the Crutchfiled website said that it was for an ipod pretty lame if it cant support itunes purchased music.

Keep me posted on wht you go with
_________________
82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.


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