Got smacked

[njt1rider]

I know its half way across the country from you but rt 43 auto parts in carrolton ohio is hording about 8 or 9 late model vans with lots of good body parts. I picked up a rear hatch and slider for myself but there are multiple complete vans. They respond promptly and will send you pictures of what you ask for. might be worth checking it. Last time I was there they did not have any blue vans but did have white, black, grey, and maroon..

[markcm2]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Hmmm...please PM me the #. I texted Ben today and he's looking to see if he has my pieces.

I'm currently dismantling the van, but the damage appears to be more extensive than is listed in the insurance assessment. Both the front and rear bumper supports appear to have been pushed further into the body on the passenger side. I think a come-along is needed to pull out the body. The van drives nice, though.
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Casey--

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

[Zeitgeist 13]

Using my heat gun I've been able to de-deform the bumper covers to a state that can be restored, so I'm not going to replace those. I do need the bumper supports which got crushed...just like the way they were designed.

Rear: 701807303

Front: 7D0803671A

The RF fog light trim ring: 7D0941804

Here's my CL ad: https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/wan/d/wtb-eurovan-body-parts/6398215704.html
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Casey--

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

[markcm2]

[Joshwa]

Right, I was referring to the same Russian guy, whom I can't remember his name either. He also gave me a great deal on a sliding door, except that I installed it myself.
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93 Weekender TDI conversion (AHU)
93 MV TDI conversion (1Z)
Weekender rear cot
Late model cabin air filter on 93
Euro spec bumper install on 93

[Zeitgeist 13]

Thanks guys, I just texted him. The number resolves via the Googles to a construction company in Auburn
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Casey--

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

[markcm2]

[Joshwa]

It was a red slider even though he didn't have a red van around. A lucky pick for TDI #2 i'm working on. I need to head back one more time for a few odds and ends.
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93 Weekender TDI conversion (AHU)
93 MV TDI conversion (1Z)
Weekender rear cot
Late model cabin air filter on 93
Euro spec bumper install on 93

[Zeitgeist 13]

I ended up buying the bumper supports from the guy in Auburn, and they're now fitted to the van. My newest favorite tool is the plastic welder I bought at Harbor Freight. I've used it to weld up tears and cracks in my bumper covers and to reattach the two broken attachment ears on my RF headlight assembly. I've probably tossed out dozens of parts of the years due to broken plastic that could've been welded and saved.

I'm holding off with replacing the hatch or repainting the bumper covers until the warmer weather returns in Spring, though I did buy a paint gun and will be prepping my shop for those tasks. I'll be applying bedliner to the bottoms of the bumper covers and just primering the rear cover for the Winter months. I'm modifying the front cover for the installation of Hella 500 driving lights. I'll take pics when everything's back together. I love this van.
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Casey--

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

[Zeitgeist 13]

A teaser for the upcoming post-crash upgrades to lighting the front and rear of the van.

_________________
Casey--

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

[IdeaNerd]

Looking forward to seeing the rest!

[Zeitgeist 13]

Here's a couple more teaser pics I took while test-fitting the lights that finally arrived.

I still need to adjust the panel gaps this coming Spring when I repaint the lower grill and bumper cover. I just wanted to get the nose back together for the Winter. I have the driving light relay installed and partially wired up, but just need to snake the ground trigger lead back into the cabin. I'm currently building the harness for the dash panel.

I found that I could get these lights into the rear fog light openings if I trimmed the fascia down with a belt sander. I think the early model EVs without the fog light cutouts could just surface mount these units in the same location. I'm still kicking around the idea of installing early model rear bumper end pieces and then welding up a steel center section that incorporates the hitch right in the middle, rather than hanging down low.
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Casey--

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

[VAEV1993]

Looks really nice! Glad you have been able to get these things sorted and back together!
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1993 Weekender - Hula
2002 Golf TDI
2017 Golf Alltrack

[Scottn59c]

I haven't seen anyone split the front bumper into two tone where you did before. It looks quite natural and good. The lights look nice as well! The back bumper cover looked pretty thrashed from the accident. Kudos if you're able to salvage it. Given your aptitude, you might be able to fix the hatch as well. I was able to do some body work on my EV this summer, and I'm pleased with how it came out.
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Farfignewton!

[Zeitgeist 13]

Noooo...that hatch was beyond my skill level of thrashing even before the crash. The PO must've backed into some tall object 'cause they had to replace the rear window and there's damage right up against the glass perimeter. I'm not even sure how they got the window to seat properly. I'll be looking for another one between now and Spring when I paint stuff.

I was able to successfully reattach three of the broken tabs that hold the rear bumper cover onto the support with plastic welding. The trick is to heat and embed paper clips into the junction for rigidity. They appear to be as strong as before. This plastic welder is a game-changer.
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Casey--

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

[mkscott2]

I agree- looking great! The color split was done the same way on my van, which I do like the look of. Bummer that you had to do the repair to begin with, but good excuse to do these upgrades, eh?

Now, I have questions though:
1. where did you get the bar?
2. what are the #1 and #2 positions for on the switch?

I was trying to be patient, but I have to ask...

[Zeitgeist 13]

I got the bar off of ebay for around $15. I added a steel plate behind the cover to help stiffen up the light mount. I think I'll probably need to add a brace between the lights and somewhere behind the grill to help steady the lights when on rough terrain.

The rotary switch, which is lighted in the white arrow just like the headlight switch, is set for #1 front driving lights and #2 aux. reverse lights. I went with a rotary* rather than separate toggles under the theory that I'd never be using both sets of lights simultaneously, so I could select either one without a conflict. The rotary is also lighted and has a smaller footprint, unlike two toggles. The driving light relay is triggered by the high beams and the aux. rear lights will be triggered by reverse gear, also via relay.


*I also have some SPDT rocker switches, but I couldn't find any affordable units that looked good and were lighted.
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Casey--

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

[Zeitgeist 13]

I finally got the rear bumper cover "fixed" and reinstalled with the aux. lights. I had originally intended to just apply the bedliner to the bottom section like the front cover, but I couldn't get the upper section smooth enough for a proper Techno Blue respray. Plastic is a tough medium to get smoothed. This pic is just a mockup before I had fully mounted the bumper and hitch. The lights are just jumpered on to the passenger side rear charge port. They're pretty bright and slightly angled outward to illuminate a broad swathe behind when backing up in the dark. I'll install an ice cube relay just below the passenger tail light, triggered by the parking lights and a dash switch. I'm pretty pleased.

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Casey--

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