PDX/SW WA New to Area . .

[vegpedlr]

I know there’s a lot of Sambanistas around here, so what’s up? I relocated from NorCal to about 20 mi outside Vancouver, WA, and a couple months later COViD. So after hunkering in the bunker for quite some time, wondering where to look for Vanagon related stuff as some form of “normal” returns.

So first up, where should I take my van for service? Previously I had Stephen’s guys at SAH do almost all my work. The PO used Valley Wagen Works in Marin and the Bus Lab. Most importantly, who does good WBX work. Tyler at SAH took really good care of me and my Vans.

Second, where are the meet ups, camp outs and General VW jackassery? Global pandemics obviously affect such foolishness, but what a Must I looking for? What will replace Syncrofest and Burning Van? All I know about for the PNW is Descend on Bend and Mogfest.

Any help is greatly appreciated, it’s lonely here with no VW kinfolk around . . .
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1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[GoEverywhere]

Welcome to the area! Portland is awesome for Vanagons, there's a TON of us here!

Join the Portland Vanagons FB group, and Wet Westies. A lot of the local meetups'll get posted there.

Rose City Volksters host a lot of open general VW events that you don't have to be a club member to attend and a lot of Vanagons go to.

We've got Descend on Bend, The Unsuperbowl, and Pacific Waterland for big yearly events off the top of my head.

Or just toss out a "hey" on Portland Vanagons, people'll meet up for whatever.

[AZ Landshaper]

[thatbaldwinlife]

Welcome to the PNW! Lot's going on around here and soooo much to see. Hope you bought Descend tickets as they may be sold out by now.
Can't help you on service as I do all my own work but Dave at D&M Automotive in Beaverton is great. He has helped many of my buddies on their Vanagons.
See you around!
nate
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1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel

[photogdave]

Whatever happened to the "PDX Area is Happening" thread?

EDIT: Oops. I serched rong

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=598311&highlight=portland
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89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Xevin]

Covid put a damper on our Monday gatherings. Someday.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678328&highlight=portland
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Keep on Busin'

[GoEverywhere]

[Steve M.]

"Wet Westies"...appropriate!
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Slimvest]

I'm not on FB, so I don't have those "friends" in the PDX Vanagons scene, but I am a Wet Westies follower. They've had almost zero events this year due to Covid and that a lot of the members are in the more vulnerable demographic. I've enjoyed UnSuperbowl and the Fossil Bluegrass Campout they have. One day I'll make it to the ReUnion campout.

Keep Trucking PDX is a newer PDX shop run by a guy who worked at Bus Lab. I was recommended him by, "hey guys, it's John from Gowesty...", but haven't made it in there yet.

I also second Goldtooth's callout for D&M Automotive in Beaverton. Dave is a solid guy and a long time VW scene supporter in the area.

There are many others...
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'87 GL w/ Reimo top

[vegpedlr]

I’m not on the FaceGram, Instabutt or whatever the kool kids are into these days. But thanks for the names of things to search for and keep an eye out for. Hopefully I’ll get to meet you folks soon.

In the meantime, I need a little basic front end work, tie rods and steering rack boots, which will then require an alignment. Suggestions?
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1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[Mikesarge]

Precision motorcar, stargazer (never been but heard good things, and they’re in my neighborhood), Halsey automotive, and Always Vee Dub are the usual suspects if you’re in the inner east side Portland proper.

For the alignment, I have no idea where to go. Matrix Integrated is where I’m going to try next. They have an alignment rack, but they’re a little high-end for my van.

Avoid Firestone on Sandy.

Welcome to Portland!
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1986 Syncro westfauxlia EJ22
1980 911 SC 3.1

[tristessa]

[mikemtnbike]

For alignment, and obviously not PNW specific as I live in NC, I called around until I found a shop that said yes we can do that using your Bentley and with you being right there talking to us watching. It was a national chain and they did a GREAT job. I recommend trying this.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Corwyn]

[clamay]

I would 2nd Les Schwab. They have always done a good job for me and the fact that they are located all over the western US if anything were to go wrong you are only a short AAA tow away.
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91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[mrshrimp]

Try Alignment World on SE 82nd. Doesnt look like much but they do a good job. They do a lot of Vanagons and should be very familiar.

[valvecovergasket]

[smeeegheeead]

[Xevin]

[Mikesarge]