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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 12986
Location: Brookeville, MD
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 Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 7:45 pm Post subject: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'West Coast Westy' |
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Another in a series apparently...
This year I drove the '87 Westy from Maryland to Baja and back. Along the way my fellow Vanagon friends asked why I did not have a west coast bus like I was preparing my European travel bus. Hmmmm, sure would cut down on the drive time to get 2000 - 3000 miles to get out there.
I kiddingly mentioned it to my wife, planting the seed....
The subject came up several times in the past few weeks and those who contributed a vote with my wife for the west coast westy I thank you.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving I was looking at facebook on the Vanagon owners group when a guy posted that he has a rough westy and a tin top in need of rescue. They were in PA and had seam rust but otherwise worth saving. While I was looking at the post my wife asked what I was doing.... just looking at this great deal for a westy that could become our west coast westy dear.... I told her the price and she said.... the money comes in and the money goes out. That was all I needed to hear. 
We were leaving for Key West that Friday so I was able to arrange to see the buses after we returned. Today was that day.
Being from PA I was concerned that the level of rust was more than I could handle, but when I arrived I was thrilled to see this.
They had been stored in a large garage building and really only had reasonable seam rust, solid underneath. Happy day!
The deal is done! I am having them towed to a friend's property until next summer after I ship over the euroBus and can start on the west coast westy project.
I'll update this topic as I work on it next summer. Tentative schedule is to get it ready for a Baja run Spring 2022.
No lack of projects....
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The West Coast Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Last edited by dobryan on Fri Jan 01, 2021 12:25 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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erste
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013
Posts: 908
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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you're crazy.
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 10882
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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| Don't screw this one up. I'm watching. |
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 2954
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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When I grow up, I hope to be just like you!!!!
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','83.5 Vanagon L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 12986
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| Don't screw this one up. I'm watching. |
This one is getting a 1.8T or an EJ25. I'd like to do a 1.8T but I cannot seem to find a reasonable cost kit to do it compared to the EJ25 kits. If too $$$ for the 1.8T I'll have to go the EJ25.
Since I am asking, is there an 'inexpensive' kit for a 1.8T? Does not need to be CA CARB certified.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The West Coast Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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radar5667
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2016
Posts: 57
Location: Houston, TX / Sister Bay, WI
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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So is that 4 at one time? You are a machine.
Remember, you can’t take it with you. Oh wait, they’re vans. You actually can take them anywhere.
_________________
‘62 Heinkel Tourist, ‘70 Beetle, ‘86 Syncro Tintop, ‘87 Syncro GL Westy, ‘91 964 Coupe manual |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 12986
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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| radar5667 wrote: |
So is that 4 at one time? You are a machine.
Remember, you can’t take it with you. Oh wait, they’re vans. You actually can take them anywhere. |
At this time yes four. 
But I will sell the tin top to someone who will save it and put it back on the road. It is solid but has some bumps and bruises.
So only three long term... he says.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The West Coast Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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VdubVanner
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2017
Posts: 571
Location: Cowtown AB
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 10:12 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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Glutton for punishment! 
_________________
"Fritz", a temperamental and unforgiving 1989 Westy that proudly bears his German flags and status as a member of the exclusive GoWesty Belly Flop Club.
1989 Westy Makeover: GoWesty 2.3L Engine plus plus plus https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0 |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 10882
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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| dobryan wrote: |
| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| Don't screw this one up. I'm watching. |
This one is getting a 1.8T or an EJ25. I'd like to do a 1.8T but I cannot seem to find a reasonable cost kit to do it compared to the EJ25 kits. If too $$$ for the 1.8T I'll have to go the EJ25.
Since I am asking, is there an 'inexpensive' kit for a 1.8T? Does not need to be CA CARB certified. |
I already know you're gonna screw this up... |
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uberaudi
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 299
Location: Hi-top Country
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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What could go 4 times as wrong?
Good man!
_________________
'84 Adventurewagen ABA, '86 Syncro Tintop, '89 Tintop 1Z Tdi, and fringe Vanagons that follow me home. |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 6401
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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OK then, we'll see you in Seattle sometime!
_________________
EJ25, Peloquin diff, locker, transaxle oil cooler/filtration system
....KTMs, GasGas, and a Stumpjumper
Gear oil is like underwear. |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 12986
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 5:43 am Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| dobryan wrote: |
| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| Don't screw this one up. I'm watching. |
This one is getting a 1.8T or an EJ25. I'd like to do a 1.8T but I cannot seem to find a reasonable cost kit to do it compared to the EJ25 kits. If too $$$ for the 1.8T I'll have to go the EJ25.
Since I am asking, is there an 'inexpensive' kit for a 1.8T? Does not need to be CA CARB certified. |
I already know you're gonna screw this up... |
 
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The West Coast Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 14142
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 7:40 am Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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Dave, too bad about the timing last weekend. I'm about to list my syncro camper for sale. It would have been a perfect candidate for you to take over. We've decided one vanagon is enough for us. Timing is everything. Mark
_________________
1982 Vanagon Camper with ALH TDI.
1990 Vanagon Camper Syncro.
In Car https://youtu.be/5hbfdUJR88Q |
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goldtooth
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2011
Posts: 409
Location: pDx
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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What a plan, have westy's stored all over the world! We are heading to Baja in spring of 2022, maybe we will see you down there!
nate
_________________
1987 Westy RJE 2.2L WBX
Read all of our Westy adventures at That Baldwin Life
Westy Adventure YouTube Videos
instagram - nate_baldwin and thatbaldwinlife |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 12986
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| Dave, too bad about the timing last weekend. I'm about to list my syncro camper for sale. It would have been a perfect candidate for you to take over. We've decided one vanagon is enough for us. Timing is everything. Mark |
Thanks Mark, I doubt I could afford a Syncro westy....
I will install a Peloquin and lift it though...
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The West Coast Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 1432
Location: MD
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 10:55 am Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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Eventually there will be a South American Westy and an African Westy and an Asian Westy...
I see what you're up to! A Westy on every continent!
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 4221
Location: denver
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 12:07 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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| erste wrote: |
you're crazy.
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What he said. I believe that you're only doing this so you can create more tambour art. 
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0
'85 928S
'19 Golf R
'02 Beetle GLS
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond |
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dabaron
Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 1664
Location: Philly, yo.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Building a Westy for Western travel, the 'west coast westy' |
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can you adopt me, thanks.
i could totally use a running 2.1 so i can get this tin top running again...
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
150Ah LiFePo (driver well)/Renogy DCC50S/100W mono panel
*witty quote about Vanagon* |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 12986
Location: Brookeville, MD
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 26294
Location: North West New Jersey
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