Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus"
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 32, 33, 34 ... 43, 44, 45  Next
Jump to:
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

4Gears4Tires wrote:
They're multiplying! I see you are 100% sold on the NAHT!


Yep, after camping in the euroBus a few times my wife said she likes it better than the westy by a lot.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
owokie
Samba Member


Joined: May 21, 2003
Posts: 532

owokie is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:07 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

dobryan wrote:
4Gears4Tires wrote:
They're multiplying! I see you are 100% sold on the NAHT!


Yep, after camping in the euroBus a few times my wife said she likes it better than the westy by a lot.


Better not let her set foot in a Florida.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

owokie wrote:
dobryan wrote:
4Gears4Tires wrote:
They're multiplying! I see you are 100% sold on the NAHT!


Yep, after camping in the euroBus a few times my wife said she likes it better than the westy by a lot.


Better not let her set foot in a Florida.


That is on an LT frame? If so too big. Cool
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
owokie
Samba Member


Joined: May 21, 2003
Posts: 532

owokie is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:29 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

dobryan wrote:
owokie wrote:
dobryan wrote:
4Gears4Tires wrote:
They're multiplying! I see you are 100% sold on the NAHT!


Yep, after camping in the euroBus a few times my wife said she likes it better than the westy by a lot.


Better not let her set foot in a Florida.


That is on an LT frame? If so too big. Cool


Yup. Meh, 15' vanagon vs 16' LT. Hardly make or break.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:23 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

I added a rear/front camera system. (Thanks to Tom Hutch for the recommendation.)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XZ1D226/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This allows a virtual rear view mirror to be added to the standard rear view mirror. It is especially needed since I have blocked a good portion of the limited rear view with the cook box and will also have bicycles later too.

Here is the camera placement. It is off center but the image it gathers is fine.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The unit strapped to the rear view mirror. I ran the camera and power wires up under the windshield gasket so they are not visible. Notice how little view there is out the back window, and no bikes yet...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Power wires coming out the bottom corner.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Camera wires going into the headliner. It took me about an hour to fish these to the back. Next time I'll do this when I have the bus apart...


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


And driving image.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The other great thing is that this unit captures a 5 minute loop of front and rear video. If I am ever involved in an accident maybe I can use it to prove my innocence if necessary. This could be especially important in Europe where language could be an issue. (I hope never to find out.)

$33,450
$120 Van Top rear camera
$33,570
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
danfromsyr
Samba Member


Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15129
Location: Syracuse, NY
danfromsyr is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:29 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

nice, how is the rear camera night vision?
_________________
Abscate wrote:
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker”
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:33 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

danfromsyr wrote:
nice, how is the rear camera night vision?


My understanding is that is excellent. I have not had it out at night yet though.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:45 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

So I went out and got the euroBus weighed on Friday.

Me in the drivers seat, half a tank of gas.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I figure I have about 2-300 pounds more of equipment and travel stuff to add.

So the solo weight will be about 4700 lbs. If I carry three passengers and gear then add 800 pounds for a max weight of 5500lbs.

I have been thinking that the Nokians I have on there now are really good smooth road tires but really are not going to hack it on rough roads that I know I will encounter. I want to move over to an all terrain tire for durability but do not want to go larger diameter since I am running a stock 2.1 (otherwise I'd go for the 215/75/15 BFG KO2s).

These Yokohama Geolandars in 215/70/15 look like just the ones I need. Only 2% taller than stock and they are also sold in Europe for when I need a replacement.

Geolandar A/T G015 - Size: 215/70R15

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=...HR5G015OWL

Load range 98 is 1653 lbs but needs to be derated by 9% since that is the passenger vehicle rating. So 1500 lbs per tire gives me 6000 lbs max weight (my load distribution will be very close to 50/50 front/rear).

I am comfortable that I will be within the load rating for these tires.

Time to get some ordered and installed! Very Happy
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

And I finally started on the under floor storage bin. (I intend this for tools and parts that I hope to rarely have to access. This way I can save the under seat storage for camping and living gear. The other spare parts area will be the bin under the drivers seat.)

When I removed the vinyl plank flooring I discovered that untreated plywood was a bad choice as an underlayment. I will get 1/2" pressure treated plywood to replace this. (Obviously some water had been spilled in the bus and got the plywood wet...)
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Nice clean floor ready for surgery.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Opening up.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Treating the open wound edges with rustoleum.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Test fit of the first 1/16" thick aluminum side piece.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Three sides sitting in place. (The rear piece will be placed on after the bin is created as it does not overlap the opening. The bin goes about 4 inches under the floor.)


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


And the bottom laid in place. The bin now needs to be riveted and 3M 5200 used to hold it together and weatherproof it.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The inside dimension is about 9.5 " wide and 6.5" deep. It hangs no lower than the gas tank or transmission so it should be fine. Basically the same as a propane tank.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member


Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 2982
Location: MD
4Gears4Tires is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

Ambitious cutting! But great utilization of otherwise wasted space. How are you going to access it? 2 small hatches? 1 large hatch?
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:47 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

4Gears4Tires wrote:
Ambitious cutting! But great utilization of otherwise wasted space. How are you going to access it? 2 small hatches? 1 large hatch?


One large flush floor hatch. Lift off, no hinge.

Not sure what 'handles' I am going to put on it. I'd like to find something that can fit flush to the floor and then somehow pop up to grab.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
danfromsyr
Samba Member


Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15129
Location: Syracuse, NY
danfromsyr is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

very nice and an easy DIY method for those who can't weld

there are all sorts of options in the 'recessed latch' world.

some can even be used with a length of wire to a slide pin as a remote operation.
https://www.google.com/search?q=recessed+latch
_________________
Abscate wrote:
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker”
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Wolfram
Samba Member


Joined: June 23, 2005
Posts: 184
Location: Waiheke Island/On The Road USA
Wolfram is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

Dave,
something like this for your new storage container?
https://www.absolutemarine.co.nz/2-flush-latch-316...64EALw_wcB
_________________
88 Westy, '07 EJ25 Vanaru.
Either van-less on Waiheke Island in New Zealand where we spend the Southern summer, or Wolfram is in Seattle/Olympia in storage.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:23 pm    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I’ll go with this one. Looks clean and will not get clogged by dirt/sand like some of the fancy pop up ones.

https://sea-dog.com/groups/2477-flush-hatch-pull

Thanks to Mike Hanyi for the reference.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
DuncanS
Samba Member


Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4580
Location: New Hampshire
DuncanS is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:28 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

If you are going with that one, I would suggest upgrading to:
https://sea-dog.com/groups/2948-hatch-handle-latch
It is what I use on my boat as it secures the hatch and prevents rattling.

Clip the under the seat end with something like the engine deck lid uses and the front will be held securely down with the handle/locking mechanism. Or you could just salvage the hardware from a donor engine deck lid.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 7:18 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

Over time I have noticed that the gel coat on the NAHT has been weathering. I did not want to have to wax and polish it every year to keep it in shape. Mike Hanyi (puchfinland) works in a boatyard and recommended that I go with a two part topside polyurethane paint, specifically the Awl Grip products.

Here is what I used.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I chose that version of white because it had no yellow/brown tint in it. I would have gone with a slightly cooler white but it was not in stock.

Sanded the NAHT with 220 grit sand paper. One coat of primer rolled on with a 4" roller (use the rollers that say they are for varnish. The regular foam rollers for house paint tend to fall apart when these paints are used.) Sanded the primer a few days later with 320. Then applied two top coats. I used the flattener to give the finish a semi-gloss vs gloss (thanks Mike!) and am very happy with the results. The paint appears bulletproof.

For application of the top coat I found that I needed to work in a 2' area, roll the paint out, then go back over that area with the roller in a slightly dry condition to knock down any tiny air bubbles and overlaps. This resulted in a nice dimpled finish similar to the Westy poptop. I did not sand between top coats, about 2 hours between coats was enough for the first coat to set up and be ready for rolling the second coat.

It took 20 ounces of paint (2base + 2flattener + 1converter = 20 oz total) for one coat rolled on.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


$33,570
$150 Paint ($300 for the total but I only used 50% on this top. I'll do the West Coast Westy NAHT with the remainder.)
$33,720
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 7:28 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

And I assembled the storage box.

I will need some spacers for the side closer to the slider since that part does not have the ridges that are in the center portion. Fortunately some leftover jalousie window pieces that are cut off when I do a conversion were just the right thickness.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I pop riveted and 3m5200'd it together.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Now I'll start working on the floor and hatch.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
djkeev
Samba Moderator


Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32433
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
djkeev is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 9:29 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

Your top looks great!

I tried a foam roller but all I got were hundreds of bubbles!

I ditched that and got a very short nap roller.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:05 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

djkeev wrote:
Your top looks great!

I tried a foam roller but all I got were hundreds of bubbles!

I ditched that and got a very short nap roller.

Dave


Yep, the go over is necessary or the bubbles stay there.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
DuncanS
Samba Member


Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4580
Location: New Hampshire
DuncanS is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:11 am    Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" Reply with quote

4" sausage or hot dog rollers. Make sure they can handle aggressive solvents.

After a second coat there will be no bubbles if you are careful.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 32, 33, 34 ... 43, 44, 45  Next
Jump to:
Page 33 of 45

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.