Overlanding a VW Bus Around The World?!

[Spike0180]

Since you seem determined to do a vw bus and not a vanagon westy. I'd at least suggest a type 4 engine (carbs if you want simplicity, MSD with hydro lifters if you want to do less work. The Asian market may love the MSD scene. I know there is a cult following of MSD) The type 4 may be more complex (still basic as crap) but they are much more robust and have basic things like a oil filter and oil cooler built in. With a newly rebuilt type 4, you should be able to make it through your whole trip without breaking into the block.
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Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
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[tolstoy]

For the sake of argument..........

I would do an early bay, 69-71. Either do a type 4 conversion while dropping about $20k to have Raby build the engine for you.......or build a bone stock, brand new case 1600dp with as many German parts as possible. No "hey, I found this case and after I blah, blah it should be ok". I mean everything new, full race balanced, and as close to bone stock as possible with real German steel. Maybe hit it with a set of small dual carbs, but that is it. Wagonswest lift kit to add a touch of ground clearance, some 15" rims and beefy all terrains, and some decant HD shocks.

Keep all break systems bone stock. If she came with drums, roll them, just keep everything as tip top, adjusted as possible. No aftermarket disk bullshit, don't want to complicate parts availability with stuff that is too specific.

Or buy a late Vanagon Westy Sycro and stuff a Subaru bastard and be done with it. Probably run you about $80k......but prob too easy.

Tolstoy
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'70 Westy

[Manfred58sc]

Asia is not the land of ACVW parts like the America's. If I HAD to go VW Bus I would source an early Vanagon with the slow but simple diesel and an automatic, and have both of them rebuilt correctly before the journey. Asia runs lots of diesels so mechanics will be more helpful when the inevitable happens. I would never go with a dual carb gas engine there, fuel quality is bad,bad in many places. This needs to be a careful and proper decision for you, there is no getting help in Myanmar,or Laos, or Cambodia. I have family living there for 20plus years, its a different game.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[telford dorr]

I'm going to have to agree with the non-vw engine concept. Consider: the late model Mexican bug engine you currently have was the best choice for an air-cooled engine because it has all of the best technology: latest possible air-cooled metallurgy, factory oil filter, (non-smogged) fuel injection, electronic ignition, etc. which (like current production vehicles) should have provided the best possible reliability. If that wouldn't stay together for you, then certainly 40 year old technology won't stand a chance.

For a trip to where you're planning, I'd be thinking in terms of liquid-cooled cast iron diesel (with really really good fuel filters). Unfortunately, AFAIK, VW never went in this direction...
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'71 panel, now with FI
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More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST)

[HastaAlaska]

[HastaAlaska]

[Xevin]

[HastaAlaska]

[EverettB]

Moderator note:
I am doing some clean up, lets get back on the topic of his questions without all the abuse and "stupid" photos.
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[Xevin]

What's your budget?
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Keep on Busin'

[captincanuck]

How set are you on a Bus? Would you go Vanagon? Only $20,000 CND http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto...nFlag=true Drop a TDI in this and enjoy. You could even setup an editing studio in there
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[timvw7476]

[telford dorr]

Don't think that front slider is gonna live up to its name...
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'71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST)

[thebusandus]

I would look for a 76-79, beef up / regear the tranny and drop in a zetec or Subaru.. Or tdi.. Orr any modern engine those three seem to have the most support from the Vanagon crowd. You already found a westy that you're being gifted right? What year is it? That will help all these knowledgeable people help you..

As far as camping supplies, seems like you would already have that figured out
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2.2 Suby powered - 75 Westy - Rita

Panamerican Highway - 2014-2017

[OrangeZA]

Hi Ben,

Where are you going to be building this next bus? The USA? Canada? Mexico? Jersey?

Have you read the Volkswagen Technical Information Booklet "Journeys Under Difficult Conditions-Z4"? It's written by the Volkswagen engineers and details recommend preparations and modifications to be made to their Type 2 and LT models if they are going to be used in areas outside of Central Europe. I think you'll find it very interesting, you can find an online copy here: http://wetwesties.tripod.com/Journeys1/01.html click through the links and you will even find the Volkswagen engineering drawings for the recommended protection plates and reinforcement parts.

My own recommendation would be to find a very original, unmolested, late model Mexican specification type 2 with the factory fitted watercooled, fuel injected 1.8 litre engine producing 90PS. They were sold in Mexico until 2001. I think it would be easier to find parts for this watercooled engine where you are going, but I would also consider swapping this motor for a 1Z/AHU code 1.9TDI. The turbodiesel should be cheaper to run (especially in Europe), improve your range and be less likely to burst into flames! I believe the blocks of the 1Z and AHU engines are very similar to the watercooled petrol engine found in the Mexican Type 2, so hopefully it would be a fairly straightforward swap. The gearbox would need to be re-geared to get the best from the engine and while you are in there you could fit some of the oiling plates that they added to the later South African 5-cylinder T3 Type 2s and a limited slip differential for improved traction.

[HastaAlaska]

[vwwestyman]

[timvw7476]

[Malokin Martin]

[williamM]

Riding the "short bus"- very popular here in Quartzsite during the winter when the markets (as in FLEA/ ROCK n mineral) are in full swing.

Those carry lots of art murals on the sides and tie dyed cuties inside- but you would need foot long hair and matching purple beard-
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