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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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 Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Will do. I garaged it for the week, but will take it out on Thursday.
I'm surprised by how much I'm obsessing over the smallest things: curtain snaps; window squeaks; battery usage; blinking temperature light; console options; side step options; etc. I'm finding the answers slowly but surely. I spent my lunch break trying to find an area rug for the van. Nothing would do.
So far, my wife and daughter are "on board" but even they are starting to wonder. Some days I feel like Richard Dryfuss in Close Encounters. "This means something..."
It's nice to know that some people get me. Thanks for the interest!
Last edited by HackAl on Sun May 01, 2016 9:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 10:38 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Gaps in interior molding were also a mystery to me, until now:
http://www.kpcnsk.com/?p=501
Bizarre. |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Some pictures...
Note the console/cup holder made from my daughter's sink-step. This is my first van hack. She and I slept in the van last night. She slept upstairs (like a rabid raccoon). I didn't run her enough yesterday.
Anyway, the newness hasn't worn off yet and we are loving every minute.
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chase4food
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016
Posts: 636
Location: PNW im Amerika
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Congratulations!  You are very lucky to core one that is relatively unadulterated and very well preserved Westfalia, without all the goofy mods. If there is one advise I can offer, some of my best mods are that ones that I didn't do. Do give a lot of thought before doing anything that is irreversible and think long term. The next owner will appreciate what you do and not do.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Thanks Vince. I thought about an air conditioning mod for about a minute then stopped myself when I read your reply.
Question:
-The sink doesn't drain unless I unscrew the reservoir under the van. Is/was there a vent pipe someplace?
Also- for any NJ/NJ/CT/PA folks: Any camp sites you like within 100 miles or so of NYC? Any meetups? |
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chase4food
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016
Posts: 636
Location: PNW im Amerika
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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| HackAl wrote: |
Thanks Vince. I thought about an air conditioning mod for about a minute then stopped myself when I read your reply.
Question:
-The sink doesn't drain unless I unscrew the reservoir under the van. Is/was there a vent pipe someplace?
Also- for any NJ/NJ/CT/PA folks: Any camp sites you like within 100 miles or so of NYC? Any meetups? |
From the factory, there is no waste water reservoir, unless someone added one. Chance is the cap you unscrew is factory, and should remain off, unless you are told by a national park ranger not to discharge onto the campground. Still the cap makes no difference.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Oh. Now I feel like a dope. I had just assumed there was a grey water tank. Problem solved!
_________________
91 Westy.
Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list. |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Part of the fun with a Westy is customizing/modifying it the way YOU like it. Not modifying your van is like not sleeping with your wife so she'll be pure for the next guy. That being said, of course there are some mods that are better than others. I prefer those that improve function over form. What particular a/c mod were you thinking about? There are several that improve performance.
These aren't 1/600 vintage Ferraris that will suffer in value if modified from original... just don't end up in the "Wall of Shame" thread and your van's resale value will be just fine  .
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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In my purchase search, I remember seeing someone installed a small window AC unit under the rear seat which I assume drained through a hole in the floor. The rear seat panel (right side) was modified to accommodate the front of the AC unit. I'm assuming it only ran on AC (110).
I'm looking for the image...
I'd probably accomplish the same result with a small, portable unit that I can remove at any time without modifications. Just not sure where condensation would drain. The sink?
_________________
91 Westy.
Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list. |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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| HackAl wrote: |
I'd probably accomplish the same result with a small, portable unit that I can remove at any time without modifications. Just not sure where condensation would drain. The sink? |
Yes, this. The other may land you in the "Wall of Shame" thread . I guess you are just looking at how to stay cool while parked/camping with 110 shore power? I know it's humid over there, so try the portable unit. People also have temporarily mounted 110V box a/c units in the driver or passenger windows. Also, 12v fans sure are nice (I like the rechargeable Ryobi 18v fans). BTW, a 3 window tent is a huge improvement as are tinted windows.
How's your OEM rear a/c while driving? There are significant improvements you can do to that system. If you're going to go through it, don't make the mistake(s) I made. Don't try to go at it component by component $$$ hoping each fix will result in an improvement. It's all or nothing baby!
One quick inexpensive a/c tip (modification  ) though... Remove the entire vent box in front of the blowers. Yep, seriously. WAY better airflow throughout the entire van without it. Contact Stephan's Auto Haus in Sacramento for a nice cheap "VW" logo cover for the now exposed blower fans. I'll try to remember to post a photo of mine. It's not at all that it "looks cool"... it simply works much better... "keeping you cool".
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7466
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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| ThankYouJerry wrote: |
One quick inexpensive a/c tip (modification ) though... Remove the entire vent box in front of the blowers. Yep, seriously. WAY better airflow throughout the entire van without it. Contact Stephan's Auto Haus in Sacramento for a nice cheap "VW" logo cover for the now exposed blower fans. I'll try to remember to post a photo of mine. It's not at all that it "looks cool"... it simply works much better... "keeping you cool". |
Would love to see a pic! Thanks.
_________________
- 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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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7917
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 11:03 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Nice to see the van in your driveway!
As for modifications, it's your home on wheels. Make it your own.
| jimf909 wrote: |
| ThankYouJerry wrote: |
One quick inexpensive a/c tip (modification ) though... Remove the entire vent box in front of the blowers. Yep, seriously. WAY better airflow throughout the entire van without it. Contact Stephan's Auto Haus in Sacramento for a nice cheap "VW" logo cover for the now exposed blower fans. I'll try to remember to post a photo of mine. It's not at all that it "looks cool"... it simply works much better... "keeping you cool". |
Would love to see a pic! Thanks. |
Pics are in the master plenum removal topic... which you even posted in.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=424773
How-to guide: http://oldbluesblog.com/files/RemovingthePlenum.pdf .
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7466
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 4:34 am Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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Great links! Thanks. I just got my a/c working and am considering this mod.
Ha! I just read the thread and it looks like TK spent four years failing to comprehend and being needlessly belligerent while repeatedly contradicting himself. It's quite a time capsule of his negative contributions.
_________________
- 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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zak99B5
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2014
Posts: 471
Location: Albany, NY
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy |
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| HackAl wrote: |
Thanks Vince. I thought about an air conditioning mod for about a minute then stopped myself when I read your reply.
Question:
-The sink doesn't drain unless I unscrew the reservoir under the van. Is/was there a vent pipe someplace?
Also- for any NJ/NJ/CT/PA folks: Any camp sites you like within 100 miles or so of NYC? Any meetups? |
There are some decent NYS campgrounds in the Catskills. North-South Lake is nice.
Delaware Gap is a nice spot too, closer to your home. Where in Bergen County are you? My family is from Fairlawn and Elmwood Park.
_________________
1991 Tintop GL Manual tranny, EJ22 |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy (update: bought it!) |
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Thanks Zak. Will check out North-South Lake. Not too far.
We're in Hackensack (Targeted for nuclear annihilation in Superman, The Movie).
_________________
91 Westy.
Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list. |
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy (update: bought it!) |
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Forgot to mention... I'm selling an extra cover that came with the van. Apparently, it was a birthday present and the prior owner didn't have the heart to explain he already had one. So, I have two (and I keep it garaged).
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1916616
Let me know if I'm off on price or if you have something to trade.
_________________
91 Westy.
Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32592
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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HackAl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 338
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy (update: bought it!) |
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Here's another song in which Hackensack is mentioned: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnnycash/ivebeeneverywhere.html
Does Mr. Cash mention your town?
Cover sold. Now I can order my pipes. I also ordered a Bentley that I found here. Fun stuff.
_________________
91 Westy.
Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list. |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7466
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Advice sought: 91 Westy (update: bought it!) |
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Fun indeed! Don't be surprised if it keeps you busy for awhile. You'll be chiming in on engine conversion and tire threads soon!
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
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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