| How would you spend Kevin's money? |
| GW cruise control |
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17% |
[ 5 ] |
| Vanistan oil cooler |
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10% |
[ 3 ] |
| GW stainless steel exhaust |
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3% |
[ 1 ] |
| T3 suspension upgrade |
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42% |
[ 12 ] |
| New upholstery for jump seat and rear bench/bed |
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10% |
[ 3 ] |
| Other (please specify) |
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14% |
[ 4 ] |
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| Total Votes : 28 |
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61Scout
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2011
Posts: 1297
Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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 Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:41 pm Post subject: An extra $700 to spend, but where to spend it? |
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So... I've got an extra $700 bucks in my westy fund and am looking to spend it on some upgrades. I don't need to spend all of it at once, and perhaps I should save up some more for something else? Where do you think I'll get the best value for my money?
Here are some of the items I'm considering:
-Go Westy cruise control. I've got bad knees from years of construction and wrenching. I've noticed the throttle bothers my right knee after a long spell of driving.
-Vanistan oil cooler. I'm considering this for longevity reasons, to protect my RJE 2.3. I'm sure I could figure something out myself, but Chris has a nice kit at a fair price.
-Go Westy stainless steel exhaust. My exhaust is actually in fine shape being a west coast rig its whole life. But the stainless is sexy.
-T3 full suspension upgrade. The tin top project received an all polyurethane upgrade, and it's super sweet. My factory suspension actually looks pretty good and rides decently, but will eventually need upgrading. As it sits I figure I can get another season or two before I will *need* to do this job.
-New upholstery. My front seats are in good shape, but my jump seat and rear bench/bed are in horrible condition. They're covered, but look kinda cruddy honestly. I have a local upholstery guy who does nice work.
-Something else I haven't considered or forget about? Maybe a blazecut system? An ARB fridge? I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks all.
-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=
-Nec Spe, Nec Metu |
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MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4096
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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How about an emergency repair fund?
It's your van, asking us what to add is hard, there are so many possibilities!
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine. |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Oil cooler...hands down |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7469
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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Since it's your money, I'll spend it on what I'd like but won't be buying: Recaro seats (or at least one). I heart CC in other vehicles but can't imagine using it in a Vanagon.
Before the oil cooler I'd buy oil temp and pressure gauges to establish a baseline.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6357
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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61Scout
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2011
Posts: 1297
Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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| MsTaboo wrote: |
How about an emergency repair fund?
It's your van, asking us what to add is hard, there are so many possibilities! |
Very true. Oh, this is just a thread for fun! Another thread of questionable usefulness riddled with personal opinions.
And yes, every vanagon owner should have an emergency repair fund! This is all fun money. The emergency fund is not being dipped into.
Zeitgeist- Are you running one? Do you have any pictures of the install? Good results? It's hard to tell from the photos on Vanistan's website, but it looks as though there's roughly 4-5 feet of hose that loops around the long way to the right rear corner... is that right? Thanks.
jimf909- good point on the gauges and establishing baseline.
Alika t3- I hear you. My van is overall in very good/decent shape. I chip away at it as time and money allows. I'm leaning more towards the oil cooler though, for the reason you mention.
-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=
-Nec Spe, Nec Metu |
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Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2323
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 6:05 am Post subject: |
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| This is turning into a frivolous chat board. |
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61Scout
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2011
Posts: 1297
Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 8:38 am Post subject: |
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| Gnarlodious wrote: |
| This is turning into a frivolous chat board. |
I get where you are coming from, and in many respects I'd agree with you concerning the quality and content of the vanagon forum at large.
This is admittedly a fun post, a thought process type post... no different than deciding what tires to buy or what engine conversion to tackle. Do I actually need help deciding where to spend my money? Not really. But at times these threads can reveal an error in thought... like someone about to buy an engine from GEX or a crappy van off of ebay. These threads can also reveal new products or services. Just the other day I learned about Mr. Injector after using Witchhunter Performance for years and years.
As I stated in my first post, I'm open to suggestions/feedback. If you have one, I'm all ears. Seems to me your post above is the first one that adds nothing to this particular discussion. I feel I've helped many people and added enough content here to warrant some slack. If I've somehow personally offended you I assure you that was not my intent, and would be happy to iron things out in private.
Namaste.
-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=
-Nec Spe, Nec Metu |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| I've been watching my friend build an RJE 2.3 for a couple months, and I'm hoping to get an opportunity to drive it sometime this week. I installed an oil temp/press gauge set for him, and while he was breaking in the engine, he recorded pre/post 10cent cooler install specs. I don't have those specs on me right now, but I recall that he saw a 20 degree drop in temps, with a commensurate increase in pressures after the install. As you know, we've been experiencing a record setting heatwave here in the PNW, so that cooler is rather timely insurance. Seems like money well spent. |
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furrylittleotter
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2008
Posts: 1506
Location: West Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:06 am Post subject: |
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New bearings on all four wheels and new CV joints. Reliable is fun.
Neil2 |
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shadetreetim
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1994
Location: Riverside, California
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:12 am Post subject: |
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I have always kept an Excel spreadsheet for my Vanagon, where I make list of the mods/repairs I want to do, prioritize the need, research the parts, select my vendors, crunch the numbers.
Then, looking at the list, I can decide where I want to spend this months "car payment". The list helps me avoid putting off required maintenance because I got fixated about the latest cool gadget. Let's be honest, repacking the rear wheel bearings is not going to elicit any oohs and aahs at the next VW Meet.
As I read through other threads and see something I want to copy, I pull up my spreadsheet and start a new tab and start filling in the research.
As I buy and install parts I move it to a completed tab, with dates and dollars spent. Kind of anal? Perhaps, but it's a fun process for me. Just don't tell Lady Shadetree about this spreadsheet.  
_________________
Tim Potts
Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!
'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5 |
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davideric9
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009
Posts: 1002
Location: Oakland CA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:14 am Post subject: |
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I gotta say you should go for the cruise control cause if you are in pain driving, you wont want to drive. Sounds like you have the van in good mechanical condition. Make sure you are comfortable driving, at least not in pain. I was able to install factory cruise control in my westy syncro, have had the van over 20 year, and I love the CC. Installed this myself in a couple hours, much less if you know what you are doing, way under $700.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012) |
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Gauche1968
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2006
Posts: 1518
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:19 am Post subject: |
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| Gnarlodious wrote: |
| This is turning into a frivolous chat board. |
OUCH! 
_________________
1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
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61Scout
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2011
Posts: 1297
Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:45 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the oil cooler feedback, Zeitgeist. A 20 degree drop is significant enough to sell me. Looks like I'll be ordering a Vanistan oil cooler today. If you all are interested, I'll document and take photos to post up.
Shadetree- Great idea on the spreadsheet, I should be better organized and streamline my thought process, but that's just not me I suppose. Old habits die hard. I just keep a folder on every vehicle, notate the mileage and date maintenance is done, etc. I do however, use the "car payment" argument to justify my spending habits. 
Furrylittleotter- Done and done.
Davideric9- Thanks for the feedback. Good to know, and the more I thought about things, the more I want the cruise control. I don't think my knees are going to get any better without surgery (which is probably on the horizon honestly) and in the meantime this should give me some comfort.
So the verdict is... Vanistan oil cooler and GW cruise control. Yeah, it bumps me over the $700, but hey... I own a vanagon, so I'm used to it.
-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=
-Nec Spe, Nec Metu |
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fraggle00
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2011
Posts: 356
Location: Bristow, VA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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I can't imagine driving my van without cruise control - though I have a WBX, so it's pretty much set it and forget it and understand you're not in a hurry.
_________________
'91 Vanagon Carat
'87 Porsche 928S4 DOWN
'12 Fiat 500 Abarth |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16504
Location: Brookeville, MD
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shadetreetim
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1994
Location: Riverside, California
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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I like your choices. CC has been on my spreadsheet for a while now.
_________________
Tim Potts
Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!
'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5 |
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