Thoughts on reaching a mechanical nirvana: Is it possible?

[wyomingresident]

I think I'm there.

Having replaced lots of stuff the Spring, I think I'm pretty close to the promised land. My sweat equity is paying off.

This is where I would want to be if I was leaving for an extended trip.

Is a state of mechanical nirvana possible, or do most of you, like me- have periods of operation punctuated by down time?
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Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
Mark Twain

[Team WorldTour]

I believe there is definatly a honeymoon period, after you have finished the big project and chased out all the bugs, and you can just enjoy the fruit of your efforts.
And in this state of bliss, you see something else that wants your attention. And you start another mental list of the next round of projects...
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1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
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H6 Subaru Engine Swap Thread
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"Where am I going? And what am I doing in this handbasket?" -Nicodemus Jordan
When All Else Fails: Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

[dhaavers]

^^^x2

Reaching? Yes - with time & effort...
Enjoying w/o additional effort? Yes - for a SHORT time...
Maintaining longterm w/o additional effort? Now you've gone all silly...
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[iliketowalk]

In reality we probably bit off more than we should've considering we started working on it right after we bought it... We've probably got about 40-60 hours of actual labor into it over the last 4 weeks.

- Pull out interior, clean everything, build up new subfloor and pergo
- Go through engine, suspension, drivetrain
- Aux battery, solar panel, yandina
- Delete fridge, ARB fridge
- New propane tank
- New stereo and wiring
- Misc other bits and pieces

We're on the home stretch but I can't definitely feel the momentum starting to fade- hopefully we'll get a longggg honeymoon period before anything goes wrong. <I can't believe you guys don't have the :beer: emoticon!>

[Ahwahnee]

On every trip we keep a written log of daily activities in a 4x6 spiral notebook. The last page of the book is always titled "Things to do on the Van". Never seem to come home w/o a half dozen items but no show-stoppers for the most part.

[tschroeder0]

...and then after you do something...like take out the interior, you later realize that you could have done much more...like lay down sound deadening mat and add inslutaion...so you find yourself taking out the interior, again and again and again.

Remember to love the process, it's much easier to do if you also go to places you have never been and then just keep going, all the effort becomes well worth it.

[wyomingresident]

[Captain Pike]

States with safety inspection will help with this. Bad suspension/brake/fuel lines/tires/wipers/headlights.........Body rust counts as well..no holes allowed.
Fix it all and start the clock again.
Not a lot of Vanagons(or competent shops) in Pa. If you can't pass inspection(emissions too) no sticker 4 U.
Independent 3rd party shops do the inspection and their looking to make a buck so most likely you will have "something" wrong.
Can get too expensive for the non wrench to maintain.
Nice selling point tho
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LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current.......................

[r39o]

[r39o]

[iliketowalk]

[j_dirge]

[iliketowalk]

[Mike Robinson]

I agree it never ends

The only things that I can think of that I have not replaced are front brakes and steering rack.

Do I trust the van yet - nope. It is 29 years old with 300k km on it. Some stuff you just don't think can break will be next.

After owning (read repairing) the van for 9 years I am starting to think about some of the first stuff I replaced starting to fail!

Now throw a the following variables in - (non stock) 15" rims, 2" lift, a different transmission, a different engine, modified wiring - dual batteries etc all away from the original VW design which means different stresses. CV joints at a different angle, bearings with bigger wider wheels, a heavier engine all mean less reliable.

And what of the original systems like 29 year old wiring .....

All the work we do helps make the van more reliable. We must always consider we are driving geriatric vehicles long distances.

I think there is a law somewhere that states 'Just because you replace every part on an old vehicle does not make it a new vehicle'

But ... what fun we have ...

Mike
'82 westy Diesel AAZ

[r39o]

[r39o]

[IdahoDoug]

I think you can do enough baseline type activities as you describe, so that the vehicle becomes reliable enough to get to know over the ensuing miles. At some point your mechanical knowledge of the vehicle and its normal sounds while driving become the conduit via which you constantly monitor its health. One day you notice a slight hum on the freeway if you steer slightly left which drops off when you center. So you make a mental note to order front wheel bearings next time you do the front brake pads - that sort of thing. Call it an uneasy truce.

I think when you've reached that point you've essentially become an all encompassing gauge that, along with the water temp and such, allows you to enjoy driving the vehicle.

So put some miles on that girl and start creating your mental database!

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[iliketowalk]

[dhaavers]

[shizzon]

Umm.... isn't Nirvana achieved with the absence of desire, or something like that? Well, judging by my to do list, that won't be achieved for a while!
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy