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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2791 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 9:53 am Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Samaleshi thanks for letting this discussion happen in your thread. If you want it moved, I will start a new thread.
I looked up the specs on rivnuts and pull-out torque for the M6 steel rivnut is over 500 pounds. No data was given, however, on shear strength, I'm guessing because that depends on material and quality of install, as Mark describes. I'm going to try it within the next couple days, seems solid, I'm going for it.
OP, and Mark, how'd you handle the luggage rack mounts? If installing to original, it seems like I'd need to take my headliner out to put the bolts in from below, which I'd rather not do. After marking the locations as Samaleshi shows, my plan is to put longer bolts in from the top and through the weld nuts on the mounts, into more rivnuts. Seem like a decent plan and/or am I missing an easier solution? _________________ 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 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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I don't have any issues with discussions on this thread! As long as no one has issues with me getting lazy and answering what I can remember in one post without quotes. Have at the discussions, this is about the last bastion for sanity on the whole damn internet...and that's saying something; people cutting holes in the top of 30 year old Volkswagens!
I believe I used 5/16" SAE riv-nuts, they didn't have enough Metric ones in stock at Ace. I'm not at all worried about the integrity of the joint, I work in the trucking industry, we use them all over the cabs with no issues, at least none that I'll experience with this rig.
I clearanced the section near the latch for my fingers. It is hard to make the edge trim look good with the extra curves.
You can reach the luggage mounts after you cut the hole in the headliner, just have to stretch for the fronts. I used bolts threaded the wrong way with fingernail polish to leave witness marks for holes.
The nibbler was loaned to me. Appeared to be a 110V harbor freight piece, worked great.
Stoked that crazyvanman stopped by. I'm honored. Carry on with the craziness. _________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Got our inaugural trip in the books this weekend. Round about 400 miles. Even were rewarded with a sunny Oregon coast, I'll take it. Weighed in at 4800lbs with 4 kids, dog, and camping gear. Everything went well, CV's are a bit noisy, just in time for the rear brake conversion.
For parents with little ones, a quick shot of some tether anchors I scored out of some random Kia in the wrecking yard. Also swapped in Jetta shoulder harnesses in the rear for the teens. Moved the rear lap belts with no retractor to the jump seats. Had trouble keeping tension for kids seats in our other vanagon. The friction belts with the tethers work extremely well, and they're naturally rear-facing!
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4
Last edited by Samaleshi on Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2791 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Thanks samaleshi, that's super helpful. Hole cutting is going to happen whatever time my super handy friend can come over this week, so hadn't cut the headliner yet, so hadn't seen that I'd be able to reach. Appreciate it. _________________ 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 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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The Thule box and rack combined with the tired lift assist springs were too damn much trouble. I went ahead and ordered Jack Bombay's kit. It definitely helps, I flipped the shocks to clear my rain gutter mount fasteners. Used the lowest level asssist, it says 60lbs on the shocks. The measurements included in the instructions worked out fine, even though ours isn't a real Westy.
Acorn nut hiding behind the gutter mount.
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4
Last edited by Samaleshi on Sun May 27, 2018 2:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Used rubber mat over the factory jute padding for floor covering in the back. I really like this product, we get it at the local farm store, they use it for horse stalls and such, perfect for kids and dogs, made from ground up tires. This time we used 1/4". It comes in a 4ft wide roll, so you have to section it somewhere.
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:25 am Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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So my low oil pressure light started flashing the day after our maiden voyage, which expedited my Subaru swap plans. I've done it once before with a Smallcar kit, going to try to make it my own this time. I'm going to try to minimize costs at all times. Any questions/comments/ideas are welcome.
Drug this poor guy home...50k on a completely rebuilt EJ25, trans is going out.
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:29 am Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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A couple in process shots, super fun pulling and swapping engines in gravel, but the shade tree helps.
Shop situation has been upgraded from Harbor Freight to Made in China Shipping Container!
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:36 am Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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My main cost savings is by using a factory Subaru BRZ header. Here's a couple shots. This one cost $100, beautifully made, all OEM, comes with cat and both O2 bungs. Had to massage the oil pan, use a Smallcar cradle, and stack one extra set of flanges to clear the bellhousing.
Some friends were coming over with some barley sodas, so I made my next day self a note.
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Van is all done and running great. I retrofitted to '06 Audi A4 rear discs and threw some GoWesty lift springs and XHD Bilsteins at it.
Getting ready to head to Colorado for a road trip. If anyone who saw this thread has any ideas for out of the way stops, please chime in. Not going to camp in the van most likely, so neat hotels and hot springs would be nice to know about. _________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 11:57 am Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Made it to Colorado Springs and back, with a quick side trip to Arches. Little over 2800 miles with no issues. Especially impressed with: Burley Motorsports coolant lines and throttle body reverser; GoWesty's XHD Bilsteins and Lift springs; T3Techniques HD front stabilizer bar; Yokohama's Geolandar A/T's.
Hwy 191 out of Rock Springs, Wyoming after an I80 closure
Vernal, Utah
Papa Joe's, home of rocket piss soda
Trump Monument in Arches
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Figured out the spare situation ...after the road trip. Sometimes my plans get behind.
Van is running 215/60-17 Yokohama's on Metris steelies. Really wanted to re-use the original spare location. Figured out that a 2009-17 VW Tiguan compact spare might work, and was almost exactly the same diameter.
and it fits!(needs centerbore massaging though)
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Michael4104 Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2014 Posts: 340 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 7:25 am Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Did you try the compact spare to see if it fits? Do you know what the back spacing (ET) is? _________________ 1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Michael,
I have to bore the centerbore before I know how well it fits, guess I jumped the gun a bit. Don't know the backspacing off hand, I'll check it when I bore it. _________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Just wanted to let the internet know that Matt at AA Transaxle is a great person and did an excellent job on the trans. Go figure, adding a Subaru and an 80mph trip to Colorado and back sped up the demise of the original trans at around 160k. All back together and running great. _________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Update on Tiguan compact spare, bored centerbore, it fits perfectly. _________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Switched to a CoastMountain High Top this summer...
Drove 5 hours with the hole in the roof duct-taped closed:
More ratchet strap-on action:
Inaugural campout before we headed home thanks to a dispersed spot that the seller told us about:
Decked out the inside with some foil backed insulation and hull liner:
Added some windows:
Somebody's happy:
Successful trip to Olallie Lake before the big fire:
And now the pop-top that started this whole deal is for sale:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2425218 _________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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225/65-17 BFGoodrich A/T's on Metris 17" steelies work really well.
_________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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erste Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013 Posts: 1110 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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Those tires look really good.
The Metris wheels won't work with stock brakes on the front? Or it sounds like they'd need a spacer? |
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Samaleshi Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014 Posts: 51 Location: PNW
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1987 Westfauxlia Project - Kitchen Sink Rehab |
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erste wrote: |
Those tires look really good.
The Metris wheels won't work with stock brakes on the front? Or it sounds like they'd need a spacer? |
The added width of the MB rotor that I installed over the top of the original VW hub provided enough clearance to the upper control arm. If memory serves, about 6mm. I think 100% BFG's might be tight to the rear swingarm pinch weld too, these are about 50%. I was looking for one mockup tire and stumbled across 4. _________________ Yeah, well, like, that’s just your opinion..., man
1987 Vanagon CoastMountain Hightop
1991 Jeep Comanche 4x4
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 |
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