1988 Wolfsburg Carat project

[bokonon42]

I got my vanagon last month from a local craigslist ad. Its salvaged due to a rear-ender that necessitated replacement of the rear and a poor-matching paintjob in the rear of the van. Otherwise damage was pretty minimal and she drives straight is pretty reliable (knock on wood). She has 235k miles, but ~ 20k on a rebuild. I am racking up some sizable receipts at Van-Cafe and want to make her a nice cross country tourer.

Van Cafe did a complete inspection and I have a decent sized list to go through. Last month I had them reseal the gas tank and put on the 16" South Africa wheels. It had 14" ones with balding tires, so figured I would use the opportunity to get some decent sized wheels as well. (I know its frowned on by some here to do the bling before the maintenance, but I really needed tires)

Anyway, the radiator was leaking and there were some cracks in the plastic piping, so new radiator, stainless pipes, tower, coolant tank - basically everything in the cooling system is now refinished except the still-good water pump.

Had some phantom door locking issues, but a new power lock actuator in the passenger door fixed that. Otherwise been doing a lot of driving this past month, trying to find issues and fix little niggling things.

For my birthday this month I got a DC fridge from the wife to install this weekend. I'll also put in a secondary battery and a new alternator.

Anyway I'm sure this thread will grow as I post more stuff over the coming months. I'm really excited about this project and look forward to doing more maintenance and projects on her myself. About 15 years ago I had a '77 Corvette that I was pretty adept at tearing into (successfully). I sold that in '04 and got a Porsche 993 that I still have. I've been very leery of screwing that car up, so have become quite lazy in the auto tinkering department, which was part of the reason I wanted to get back into something I can feel confident tinkering with.

I'm quite long winded so I'll keep it at this for now but just know that I am super excited to be participating more...
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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[bokonon42]

eye candy:

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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[wesitarz]

DIY will save you a lot of money. Search theSamba and Google for info. I swapped in an 02 Subaru 2.5L in 2003 (wiring and install) with a 911 exhaust. Not regretting it.

88 Wolfsburg Carat auto with 02 Subaru 2.5L

[joetiger]

Congratulations and welcome! If you were looking to end your tinkering laziness, you've acquired the right vehicle.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell

[Zeitgeist 13]

The rims on that Porsche are bad-ass
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[hans j]

I have the exact same van! Someday to be converted into a hightop...
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[bokonon42]

Busy day yesterday. Installed a new alternator, Auxiliary battery, a fuse box, some USB connectors, hardwired Spot Trace, and a fridge!

Everything seems to be working ok. A couple questions.
First: Should the stereo work now even if the key is not in the ignition? Or do I need to get the Stereo switch kit from gowesty to do that??

Second: When I start the van now, the OXS and Battery lights come on but go away after I put it in gear and start driving (and doesn't show up at stoplights or other idling - only at startup). I don't recall this happening before, but my mind could be wrong. Probably is.

thanks
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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[Alluvial Van]

The stereo will work when the key is not turned on. By installing the Aux battery your stereo, cig lighter and interior lights are now powered by the auxiliary battery, not the main starting battery.

The reason the OXS and battery lights stay on when you first start the van is the alternator is not charging the main starting battery. If you rev the engine to about 2k or so you'll notice the lights go out and you'll hear the relay that you installed next to the battery click. The relay clicking means both batteries are now being charged.

[bokonon42]

Thanks RJ!

[Alluvial Van]

No problem. Now I require a test drive in your Porsche!

[bokonon42]

Not much to report. Had the starter go out, so got a GoWesty replacement. Been running fine since.

With summer approaching, and no A/C, I got the windows tinted and some GoWesty window shades.

And yesterday I picked up a nice aluminum roof rack and installed it in about an hour. Looks great, and is sturdy. tk_george99 imported it from China and I am pleased with the results. Can't wait to load it up!

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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[bokonon42]

Spent today installing this 50+ lb beast of a center console from Vanagonlife. Got it through one of their recent group buys. Super easy to install and looks fantastic.

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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[hdenter]

Nice van! What kind of material are your floor mats up front made from? Doesn't look like anything I've ever seen before.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[bokonon42]

thanks. I had an amazon gift card and got them there. They are called spaghetti I guess... Just search "vanagon spaghetti" and you should see them there.
-terry
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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[hdenter]

Ok!, I'll have​a look.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[bokonon42]

Just a quick update. A few months back, I bought Smurfadelic Monstaliner (4 gallons) and had intended to roll it myself.

Eventually gave up on that idea and drove the van up to Roseville, to R & Z Customs and had them spray it for me. Turned out pretty sweet.

https://www.instagram.com/z_coss_customs/
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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[elizer]

Wow I like that color. Nicely done.

[mikemtnbike]

1. Which method did you use for filling the holes from the cladding mounts?

2. Totally get it if you don't want to, but could you share the ballpark for the monstaliner spray job? Also, windows in or out?
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[bokonon42]

I used (I believe it was Terry Kays) method of shoe goop

They quoted me $750 if I brought it to them requiring no prep work on their part (I assume windows out, no masking required). I left windows in, and wanted a bunch of other stuff (a few areas of bodywork, antenna hole filled, bumpers installed, door jambs painted to match, etc) so it came out to $2500 for me. They removed all doors, trim pieces, and reattached. And of course that was with me providing the monstaliner already.
-terry
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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[bokonon42]

Just a few updated pics. Got it back this week from Stephans with the 1.8t upgrade. He also worked on the front suspension and a bunch of other issues. Anyway its like a whole new van. Everything is so tight and fresh. And the power is intoxicating. Its easy to get going faster than I feel safe in this tin can.

The boost sounds like a jet engine back there, which isn't a bad thing either.

Got the RMW bumpers and tire carrier on. Just need a free moment to install the roof rack back up there.

I have no other plans for it now other than daily driving it and taking some trips. I think AC will need to be done at some point, however...

The monstaliner smurfadelic blue is a little bit deeper and darker than photos can capture. Still a bit wild, but not quite as in-your-face IMO.

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Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319