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GreenG
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2014
Posts: 151
Location: State Road, NC
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 Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:04 pm Post subject: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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I bought a nice, but not perfect 88 Westy about 4 years ago for $9500. Good driving condition, no real rust (that I could see), generally a nice unit, drove fine. Then I developed a mental health issue known as Resto-itis ( which is not, it seems, covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield).
My "Doctor" (who owns a Syncro with a Bostig conversion) says sitting in front of the computer with a beer, The Samba, and a credit card was a contributing factor.
Since I'm about done (except for some interior rust behind the kitchen I need to do - it never really ends right?), I decided to add up what I spent.
This was a very, very bad idea. Just goes to show how quickly things can get out of hand even when you start with a nice van. But, I think it's probably worth about what I have into it, and that's not counting 48000 miles of family and solo travel, camping, and memories. Thought you might be interested in the details...
Last edited by GreenG on Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:03 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7472
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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Neato! It looks like a deal at twice the price.
You may have a formula error between Radiator and Window Switch that overstates your cost by $650 or so. Feel free to send me a 10% finders fee.  
$50 an hour for bodywork? I'm moving to NC when it's time for paint and seam rust repair.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro).
Last edited by jimf909 on Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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GreenG
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2014
Posts: 151
Location: State Road, NC
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
You may have a formula error between Radiator and Window Switch that overstates your cost by $700 or so. Feel free to send me a 10% finders fee. |
You are correct! I'll send you 10% of the amount I actually saved right away! |
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rmcd
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2010
Posts: 1349
Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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Wow. No. No! Off! Bad dog!
I have a folder of same. You are more brave than I. My heirs can do the totals. I am not brave enough.
Now image if one of those line items was a moto swap with tranny rebuild? Argh. It’s like a scary clown.
Thanks for sharing.
_________________
VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight= |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| Your list has a header for "Motor Rebuild" and then the job description includes pistons, cylinders, and heads. For future reference, it isn't an engine rebuild when you don't address the crankcase. |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:03 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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You haven’t even scratched the surface of insanity. Have you considered an engine conversion and/or Syncro conversion? 😂🤣😂
If you were to offer up your Westy for sale I bet you’d recoup 100% of your expenses so far in less than 7 days.
Calm down. You are doing more than fine.
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD
Last edited by ThankYouJerry on Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:06 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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GreenG
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2014
Posts: 151
Location: State Road, NC
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:03 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| Your list has a header for "Motor Rebuild" and then the job description includes pistons, cylinders, and heads. For future reference, it isn't an engine rebuild when you don't address the crankcase. |
True, and good point. It was mostly just top-end, but that was the description that was in my head, and the list wasn't started with public consumption in mind, so there it is... |
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Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2323
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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I agree, $11,100 is pretty cheap. I spent that much on just a diesel engine, transmission rebuild and wheels. But what the hell, transportation costs money, right?
_________________
Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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GypsyDriver
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2012
Posts: 190
Location: Columbus, GA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:19 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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Seems about right. I spent about the same in the year after my initial purchase trying to get it in shape and a few DIY upgrades and I didn't get as good a deal on the purchase of the vehicle itself as you did.
but wait, there's more! there's the eventual inevitability of a transmission rebuild at ~$3K .... I caught the pre-runner bug (suspension lift, wheels & tires, steel bumpers, LT mirrors, Peloquin, 944 CVs at ~$4K) ... and I just put down a deposit on a Bostig conversion that'll run me ~$8 to $10K next year with another $3-4K on fuel, cooling, A/C overhauls, and a little paint and bodywork. This is an expensive love affair.
Welcome to the club. |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| GypsyDriver wrote: |
| there's the eventual inevitability of a transmission rebuild at ~$3K .... |
2WD transmission costs a lot less than $3K to have rebuilt. |
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GreenG
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2014
Posts: 151
Location: State Road, NC
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:58 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| One thing you might find interesting is the 2 hours/$170 my mechanic charged to clean up the block and heads due to "stop leak residue". I can't say what the PO did, but the only thing I ever used was the Subaru cooling system treatment. Not saying that was what gummed things up, but it's a datapoint... |
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GypsyDriver
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2012
Posts: 190
Location: Columbus, GA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:27 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| GypsyDriver wrote: |
| there's the eventual inevitability of a transmission rebuild at ~$3K .... |
2WD transmission costs a lot less than $3K to have rebuilt. |
I bought a NOS automatic with no core for $3,200. I do agree you can do it for less. I rebuilt my original transaxle myself for less than $500 in parts from WIT. If you outsource it ... GoWesty: $2,339.95 plus $1,500 core plus shipping. GTA: $1,795 plus $750 core plus shipping. |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:47 pm Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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If you have your trans rebuilt, there is no core charge. There is only a core charge if you buy a rebuilt transmission without supplying one for the rebuild.
I assumed manual trans, in which case, Arizona Transaxle - $1350. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50351
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:39 am Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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Your basic mistake is keeping track of your costs.  |
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Team WorldTour
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 2426
Location: Der Vaterland
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:51 am Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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I did this for Domo, and over five years of ownership, it came to about $40,000 (H6 conversion, destroying 3 different H6 motors, shipping to the States, etc...)!
I have a new folder going for Frank, and it's about an inch and a half thick at the moment.
_________________
1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
Click to view image
H6 Subaru Engine Swap Thread
WV2ZZZ25ZFH094138(x)/ WV2YB0257LH057308(x)/ WV2ZZZ25ZLG113270/
"Where am I going? And what am I doing in this handbasket?" -Nicodemus Jordan
When All Else Fails: Lather, Rinse, Repeat! |
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levi
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:19 am Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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You could have saved yourself some money by not getting the "buffalo westy" decal.
Beautiful westy.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22671
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:27 am Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| Your list has a header for "Motor Rebuild" and then the job description includes pistons, cylinders, and heads. For future reference, it isn't an engine rebuild when you don't address the crankcase. |
What would Robbie Think?
Let's see 48000 miles , Fed rate is a bit over 50 cents per mile all in, so projected cost of ownership. $24000
You've done it on 30 year old car with way more functionality than a sedan at $20,000
You've done well!
_________________
.ssS! |
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the joker
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2006
Posts: 1287
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:47 am Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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| now go and get an appraisal, for your insurance value |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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AZ Landshaper
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:09 am Post subject: Re: I'm stunned. Just added up my van resto costs (included). |
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Im in for 6k if you dont count the van. Just since June or so when the thing rolled into my life. To be truthful it was towed.
Thanks for keeping the economy rolling. You da man.
_________________
Support Small Business.
-------------------------------------------------------
85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug. |
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