A Vanagon, a Highschooler, and a Passion

[PDXWesty]

Another listing just popped up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272727186493950/pe...8597186129
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Mckinleyvillian]

[10degnorth]

I found an '82 diesel van that comes with a lot of the parts to complete a 1Z swap.

I'm having a pretty hefty internal debate about weather that's an under taking I want to do.

I''ve been reading up on ValveCoverGasket's 1Z westy swap as well as http://www.vanagondiesel.info/

The van is the right price, especially with the parts that it's coming with. That's one of the main reasons I am considering switching gears a little bit. I think that I could get this van moving with a 1Z for maybe half the total investment as the rebuilt 2.5 Subaru I was thinking about before.

I would go full TDI, no m-TDI on the basis of it being more efficient and cheaper (getting an m-TDI pump isn't cheap by any means) and thinning out a 1Z wiring harness shouldn't be too bad.

Based on ValveCoverGasket's build these are the parts I'd have to find (I've found sources for most of them in my research already this morning.)

JX Exhaust Manifold
K14 Turbo
JX Pan
JX Oil Pump and Pickup
PD130
(Potentially found a rebuilt aircooled DK transmission as well for the sake of better gearing)

I really like the idea having slight more than stock WBXer power and way better mileage. I don't drive fast by any means anyway.

Any thoughts or insights on this?

Thanks!

Does anyone know the name "Good Job Rob" in the VW community in the Portland area?
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1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=

1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=

Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7

[10degnorth]

[Mckinleyvillian]

I'd be looking in southern Oregon. I picked up a running 85 tin top, very excellent body, down Medford way for under 4 grand last summer. I've been seeing em for even less this summer.
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so many roads i know
all i want is one to take me home

85 Vanagon GL 1.9 stick

[10degnorth]

[PDXWesty]

[10degnorth]

[ALIKA T3]

[DuncanS]

So glad you are back on the forum. You had very creative ideas and I'm sure the pop top solution has come to you and I'm looking forward to hearing about it. For what it's worth, and I know there has been a ton of critiques saying I'm nuts for dicking with the structural engineering of the tin top, but here's what I did for reference.

This gives max headroom when the canvas is off and allows for super flexibility in creating something. For example, I only need the high top very infrequently and so don't want the draping cloth hanging down or even furled up during daily use. So far, the only version I have is:

But planing on a different version of this which will give rain and mosquito protection. This boat weighs 21 pounds.

Duncan

[Abscate]

Nice to hear from you.

Life, happens.


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.ssS!

[10degnorth]

Hey folks, it's been a minute.

Bad news, then good news.

Last year I found myself commuting 2.5 hours between my home town and my school town pretty much every weekend and made the hard decision to sell my van to get a 2000 Tacoma. Sad, I know.

I found I wasn't super happy at the school I was at and now I've transferred to a school back in my home town and don't need that ol' reliable Toyota anymore. I am working as the "design guy" at a VW shop in Bend, OR where we're producing new custom products for Vanagons.

I've been inspired by the community and company I've been keeping recently and am looking furiously for another Vanagon while putting together a vision of how exactly I want it to turn out.

NOT INTENDED AS A CLASSIFIED AD (though I'll take any leads I can get)

Right now, my goal is to find an 83+ manual tin top, preferably in a two tone paint or brown with a blown motor that I can do a Subaru swap in (I have support for this from the shop I'm doing work for).

I have a pretty distinct vision in my head, here's to hoping I can make it happen!

Anyway, I just like giving updates. Hope everyone is doing well! Looking forward to re-joining the ranks of Vanagon caretakers soon.
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1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=

1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=

Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7

[bobhill8]

As a long time high school teacher, I've seen them all. (The other day a girl came into my room, looking for one of the lenses of her glasses. She said she had been wearing them for hours before someone told her one of the lenses was missing). It's kids like you that provide hope for the future to old grumpy people like us.
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1986 Westy
1971 Squareback

[jimf909]

^^^Agreed!

The title doesn't throw me off, it's just the fact that I must be getting older too. Oy.
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- Jim

[dhaavers]

[10degnorth]

[jimf909]

[ALIKA T3]

It`s actually very easy to mess up the back to back seals since one of them is going against the natural angle of the lip. They`re a reputable shop, I`m sure they developed some techniques by now to install the bearing cup holder plate ( I dunno the name in english).
I use a piece of plastic sheet wrapped around the snout to slide the part on like a funnel, it`s perfect.
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Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[10degnorth]

Lousy parts. I got the van back today after dropping it off Wednesday. They replaced the back to back sea under warranty and sent me on my way.

Here’s the van getting towed by the good ol’ IDI Turbo Diesel F250.

That said that they have been trying to buy the best parts they buy, but it’s always kind of a risk and a roll of the dice, I got unlucky with the seal. They mention that they’ve had this issue a couple times.

On my way home from GTA I stopped by Crooked Finger Designs to check and make sure nothing was leaking, but mostly to just pose with some other vans.

This evening I through in the westy swivel seat base that I have had sitting around, finishing up that job tomorrow.

Here’s to more than 50 miles on this transmission job!
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1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=

1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=

Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7

[Jake de Villiers]

Boy, that's tough luck on the trans leak when the rest was going well!

I hope it turns out to be lousy parts.
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'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com