Build thread: Aussie Westfalia Conversion

[OzzieJo]

[4Gears4Tires]

Sick! Can't wait.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[OzzieJo]

Before we get started I would like to thank “The Samba” community for all of your help and support along the way. I simply could not have done a project like this without you all (some more than others), and as you will see I still have a ways to go so I will be around for quite a while yet.

OK I know I’ve touted this as the “Big Reveal”, but I do have a confession to make ….its not finished yet. My initial plan was to complete the poptop conversion, and then get the van re-registered so that I could drive it up to Sydney to get the camper interior installed, but due to COVID related travel restrictions in NSW I have not been able to get the van registered because the engineer (that I’ve been working with from the start) is in another lock down area and has not been able to inspect the van.

With COVID restrictions looking like they could drag on for a while I decided to just go ahead with the “Big Reveal” so far … I will have another when the camper interior has been installed..

So without further ado … on with the show .. I hope you enjoy

[OzzieJo]

The paint color is from the 2017/18 Subaru Legacy range – Lapis Blue. I spent many hours wet sanding and polishing to get the gloss.

51in in STEDI light bar, mounted on Vanagonlife gutter mounts (I’m scared of the dark). Terrawagen fender flares. All plastic trim Mirrors, grille etc has been re-sprayed

Rocky Mountain Westy swing out tire carrier (thanks Phil). Bugger to put on but necessary because of the oversize wheels.

[OzzieJo]

Go Westy 16 x 7.5 in rims, sporting Bridgestone Dueller 215/65R16 light truck tyres .

[OzzieJo]

The previous photos were taken in late afternoon sun, I took this mid afternoon just to pick up the slight change in colour with the paint finish.

[OzzieJo]

Westfalia Pop Top ... This is what al the pain was for !

[OzzieJo]

Another shot of VL light bracket.

[OzzieJo]

OK on with the interior. All interior trim was completed by Matt Gilks and his talented team at “Inside Rides” located in my hometown, and I hope you will agree that they did a fantastic job. Apart from a few colour suggestions Matt pretty well came up with the rest. I have left the interior panels in the rear on the drivers side blank as they will eventually be covered by the cabinetry.

[OzzieJo]

The Captains chairs were in a poor state when I got them, which is exactly the way I wanted them so that they could be re-built with new foam and covered.

Much better once re-covered.

Blue piping was used throughout trim in keeping with overall paint.

[OzzieJo]

Headliner is ABS plastic from GoWesty, microphone for phone connection is just above interior light. Oh, all interior lights (including cluster), and exterior lights (brake, reverse, turn etc) have been converted to LED.

VW symbol on from headrests was a nice touch.

[OzzieJo]

Someone just wants to get out on the open road….well actually he doesn’t like the open road that much (just ask any Italian Greyhound owner what normally happens on the open road !!!). He does like to sit in the van though.

[OzzieJo]

Into the rear now.

[OzzieJo]

And we will finish off with the upper bunk.

[OzzieJo]

And that is the story so far. Next step will be to get the van re-registered, and then hopefully get it up to Sydney for the camper fitout. I hope that you enjoyed the show.

Stay tuned for further updates

[vino de vano]

May I be the first to say, Very Nice.
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what a long strange trip it's been

[OzzieJo]

Thanks Vino, now to get that camper interior installed

[pnwkayaker]

Beautiful van, it shows that a lot of work and time was spent on it!

Do you have any more information/pics on how the headrests were refinished? I have the same donut-style headrests, and let's say they're not my favorite feature.
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link)

[OzzieJo]

[Jake de Villiers]

WOW!!! The bodywork and paint are gorgeous - and the interior's nice, too!

Full marks.
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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