The Dream of the Blue Turtle

[vegpedlr]

In my family, VW vans are called turtles, due to the house on the back, overall speed, etc. In April of 1985 this blue turtle was sold in LA. Two months later, Sting's first solo album dropped, The Dream of the Blue Turtles.

Now this bus belongs to me, and it's time to convert it from from plain passenger van to a mild overlanding Vanlife rig. A Blue Turtle, for living the Dream.

Backing up, my old Westy suffered a career ending injury, but the camper bits were intact so I saved them. But I wondered for awhile if I really wanted to get back into the VW game. Perhaps a different Vanlife option? Or move on to a different adventure? Well, the VW bug definitely bit, and I found this nice tiptop here on the Samba, located about an hour away. Cosmetically, she's rough, but that's fine with me. I won't notice the dings I add to it. I realized on a long trip where I couldn't pop my top on the old rig that it wasn't necessary. So a tiptop was in. PO installed a GW 2.3 and tranny, so it has plenty of power for the mountains. Way faster than my old one.

First order of business, make it campable for Syncrofest.
_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[Alaskaberrys]

Nice! Keepin’ the dream alive
_________________
'91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...)

[tencentlife]

[vegpedlr]

Damn autocorrect. Added bonus that airdrop isn’t dropping my photos.

The aesthetic question is whether to keep the very 80s wheel covers, or go classic bus with the chrome hubcaps. Maybe switch em according to season?
_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[vegpedlr]

Problem uploading photos, so using a slow, kludgy work around.

Since there's less cabinet space, I removed the rear cargo area panels and found enough space for oil, coolant, jumper cables, official VAG first aid kit etc.

Covered up by DIY storage boxes.

_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[vegpedlr]

Set up the kitchen. Stove on green can, sink water from 4 gallon blue jug, gray water into smaller jug in rear of cabinet. Fridge removed and plastic stacking bins placed. Drinking water in slim 1.25 gal jugs between driver's seat and kitchen. One bolt through floor on either side of cabinet. Only broke two latches in the process.

_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[xoo00oox]

Nice van! Looks like you’ve got the Westfalia kitchen in there as well.

[Colorado Yeti]

Great album. One of my favorites.

[E1]

Welcome to #Buslife.

(avoids confusion, there's enough already)

Per Sting, Nothing Like the Sun, 'cause there isn't. Enjoy being in some.

Happy Travels, and Travails. 👍🏼
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[dhaavers]

Love the van, but you AND I would feel a LOT better about your setup if you'd ditch
the bungee cords and spring for some sturdy camlock straps at the very least...

[E1]

Good catch, Dave, we're soon to install a seat belt mounted fore-aft to hold down our Yeti 50.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Jeffrey Lee]

[vegpedlr]

The bungees are temporary. Trying out different layouts and different gear. The fridge will get buckled into the heavy duty center console when it is installed. I’m not that worried anyway. When I crashed my old van, the interior was a disaster, but nothing came through to the cab. It’s the porta potti space that is puzzling. It’s useful storage, but it has to be easily moved so the bed can be made.

I’m a little disappointed nobody commented on the Bentley and Haynes under commode. I set that up deliberately thinking it was funny.
_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[E1]

We had our Yeti strapped to the rear of the battery box when we rolled our van last August, with a strap like Dhaavers showed.

I'm convinced it may have broken the wife's neck if not strapped down. It came out on the last, slow quarter-roll (since four or more wasn't enough).

No worries, we all only commented as we give a damn. 👍🏼

(Can I swear?)
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Abscate]

That’s a NO on that propane implementAtion.

Either hard line it in or build a safe enclosed locker for that propane tank
_________________
.ssS!

[vegpedlr]

Only connected when in use, right now for testing. Ditto for water. Will strap it down in a more permanent home after I replace the fresh water hose, which will require kitchen removal (again). Seems like whenever I think the kitchen is done, there is some little detail only accessible with it out.

Thanks for the feedback. Nobody I know would catch anything, even in person.
_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[dhaavers]

[vegpedlr]

That cabinet on wheels is pretty slick. On my trips so far, I just pile soft luggage in there which lasted until the first solid left turn. Another mod I’m considering is a small detachable tray like table for the side of the kitchen cabinet. Kinda like an airline seat.
_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[Gnarlodious]

[tencentlife]