Covid-19 Unexpected Time Off / You / A Vanagon

[khughes]

Well, we just got back from a 3-week vacation yesterday. Yep, started out with a cruise (Legends of Rock) out of Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Cayman - but we're outside the incubation period so made it past that one. On to Key West, then to New Orleans. We're in our mid 60s, but bug-free so far, looking to stay that way!.

I work from home (part time this year) anyway, so I'm unaffected by the pandemic issue as far as getting additional free time goes. Good year to have semi-retired and stop traveling 100-150K miles per year on flying pathogen platforms.

Everybody stay safe!
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'86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin)

[bluebus86]

[ledogboy]

We are holed up in the family cabin- figured it was best to get out of the city and our fairly small apartment. Here we can go hiking outside, away from people, and enjoy the sound of rain falling while feeling the warmth of the fire. I would love to be tackling all sorts of projects, but I am pretty certain the majority of my clients are not going to be able to pay me next month. Parts orders, lumber yard visits and all non essential spending is officially halted.
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1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[dabaron]

i'm outside enjoying the sun while i make my 1991 Westy ready for some fun trips in the summer/fall.

i thought about hitting the state forest next weekend in the tintop to just reset my mind.
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[SCM]

[jimf909]

I'm staying home from work and wondering if I'm experiencing first symptoms of a cold or flu. Time will tell.

As for the van, its transmission was put on a truck on Wednesday for a trip to Bend, OR (German Transaxle) for a rebuild. The 10K mile oil change revealed a 2mm x 5mm chunk on the magnet. This is after a slightly larger chunk came out at the 500 mile oil change (the magnet was fairly clean at 1,100 and 1,800 miles). A different rebuilder didn't get it quite right last year.

The van is at the shop so I don't get to work on van projects either so for now it's keeping my social distance and digging in the garden. We relocated young maple tree last weekend and have some Nandina, Mahonia, Hellebores and other plants to plant or relocate.

If all goes well, we'll be ready to head off into the apocalypse with a strong transmission.

Here's hoping this thread brings news of good activities during this change in routine for many.
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- Jim

[bluebus86]

[jimf909]

[AndyBees]

We embarked on a rather large remodeling job including turning our huge back deck into a room. Carpenters finished their part last week. Now, it is our turn to finish the inside. Then, we will be doing some long over-due drainage work in back (even though we live on a hill) as well as sidewalk work and landscaping.

Also, I'm waiting on a 4.13 Ring & Pinion to arrive at Weddle's around April 1st. Then I'll embark on a complete rebuild of a DK tranny to replace the one in my 84 Van.

Lastly, we're sort of planning another road trip to Nova Scotia and maybe ferry over to Newfoundland (in a VW this time) most likely beginning the week after Labor Day.

Like Mark Ward stated, relating to his status, my wife and I can be counted among the elderly. And, of all things, I am finally over a bad fall that occurred back in early December. I fell out the back of my truck hitting just above my tailbone and some how broke my right little toe. I was unloading a wood box. My fingers slipped off the edge as I was pulling on it.

Jimf909, although I've rebuilt a few VW tranny's, I don't consider myself a professional. However, I make at effort to do everything as clean as possible. So, before I open a transmission, I pressure wash it on the outside until it is clean. Generally, all that's left is the crud sprayed on by the dealer. Once I have "emptied" the case, carrier and shifter end, all those parts, including the bell housing are pressure washed again, inside and out! And, of course, all the inside pieces are cleaned with solvents, etc. Going back clean makes the job so much easier and no doubt the results are going to be much better.
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[kourt]

I already telecommute for most of my work, and my wife is now compelled to telecommute as well. We are both in our 40s and work for the big local university.

Both of us telecommuting presents a problem if we are always stepping on each other in the house. We all know how a house can seem small when two or more people are confined to it. It's even harder when the weather is forecast to be bad. For us, this week will be mild--highs in the 70s, lows in the 60s, but it will be cloudy and rainy.

Yesterday I suggested that the Vanagon (a full Westy) could be used as office space as well. My wife's face lit up and she realized that might be a useful space to work with little disturbance from me or the cats (or a place for me to go). It's parked in a nice, quiet, private, shady gravel driveway with trees all around, just a short walk from the house, and within wifi range.

Naturally the van is kept fueled, with full water/propane tanks, and batteries charged. We have a few small trips planned for next week.

I think we'll be fine, and the van is making things easier.

kourt

[Syncronoid]

I removed the entire AC system from the Westy, everything but the condenser on the front and the wiring loom to the front. Everything else is out and ready for Rhino Designs to build the new rear storage cabinet. Took about 10hrs between yesterday and today.

What's a spare AC system worth? Compressor, drier, relays and such, blowers, exchanger....
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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L

[Howesight]

[kourt]

[old_man]

[jimf909]

[campism]

[Steve M.]

[jlrftype7]

[Ahwahnee]

[djkeev]