| Author |
Message |
TomInAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007
Posts: 386
Location: Anchorage, Ak
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? (now with pics) |
 |
|
| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| Interesting that it once had air conditioning. Suggests that it may have started life further south. |
Very interesting indeed. How can you tell? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10367
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? (now with pics) |
|
|
| 73superduperbeetle wrote: |
| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| Interesting that it once had air conditioning. Suggests that it may have started life further south. |
Very interesting indeed. How can you tell? |
I too thought that the presence of some AC parts might indicate it came from a hotter clime.
In one front end pic, I see AC lines and what might be the condenser? (cylinder thing). I don't see a compressor in engine bay though.
Some fuel hoses in engine bay might've been replaced but to me, the clamps at hoses to "T" fuel pressure test port might be original.
The hoses to expansion tanks also look original and in need of attention.
Of what I can see of underside, it looks better than I thought it would.
The long steel coolant pipes look factory. Inspect rear 1/3 of each for rust, paint bubbling. They look like they may be ok though which might be another clue that it's spent some of its' life in a dry non salted roads clime.
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alaskaberrys 
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2016
Posts: 1001
Location: SE Alaska
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? |
|
|
| 73superduperbeetle wrote: |
So it sounds like I should be able to get my hands on a Z-bed i can install in this van here in town. Everything else I really feel like I can handle. Like, straightening out the electrical doesn't phase me at all. Oh, and no kiddos: just me, the husband, and a corgi.
My biggest holdup is that there is an outside possibility I might have a lead on buying a tin-top syncro here in town. Supposed to be in nice condition but year, mileage, and potential asking price are unkinown at this time. Its almost certainly outside my current budget, but like I said, the VW fund grows every pay period.
Apart from them being awesome, getting a syncro would mean that I would be holding to the mighty oath I swore when I got my then 2wd '92 F150 stuck in wet grass and had to be pulled out by my mom's Saturn. I quickly converted (yes, converted) that truck to 4wd and swore on a stack of Chilton's repair manuals that I'd never drive anything else that was only 2wd. I ended up driving that Ford another 150k miles including 3 runs on the ALCan. Somedays I really miss that one, but it was time to say goodbye when I did.
But I digress.
The question becomes, is a 2wd bird in the hand worth a ruby-throated syncro in the bush? |
Just make sure you got your bird book out 
Keeping up my syncro doka is WAY more work than our nice sweet 2wd westy. Granted a bunch of the work was rust remediation the westy didn’t have, but figuring out the few wiring issues were super challenging to me even with the Bentley wiring diagram (so wire nuts and PO added stuff scares me).
We installed a limited slip differential in our 2wd and I don’t think we’ve gone anywhere yet with the doka the 2wd could not have gone. Driving around town in the winter here in glazed ice the syncro does better (nothing locked) but half that issue is that the 2wd is an automatic so you can’t respond as quickly to slip. It still does surprisingly well do to the weight distribution - much better on the water/ice than my 1990 4WD Toyota pickup truck ever was.
We’ve sunk equal dollars in both vehicles - for the doka about 80% of it is to keep it moving and functional, where as the 2wd was half that - the rest going towards upgrades and mods. Not a fair comparison for any two vehicles, but syncro’ s do seem to hit the wallet harder.
I guess I’m saying the syncro is more of a “project” for me, that I do enjoy - and a daily (mostly) driver, while the 2wd we actually use to do fun things (except this year - currently it’s a painting project ).
Looking forward to reading about what you decide. Good luck!
_________________
'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...) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vino de vano
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2016
Posts: 359
Location: columbia gorge
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? (now with pics) |
|
|
From your pics it looks good to me other than that unfortunate seam in the drivers side wheel well. The steps don't look to bad and seem fairly easy to fix. Other than that it all looks like surface rust to me. Did you look carefully at the seams behind the front wheels and all other seams as well. also rear wheel swing arm body mounts. As for the Syncro just remember it's spelled with a $, good luck in your search, you'll find your Vanagon. PS your truck and a Vanagon stock are both really only one wheel drive, but a torc biassing dif is available for 1200.00 and gives you the ability to go wherever your ground clearance will allow.
_________________
what a long strange trip it's been
Last edited by vino de vano on Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cmayna
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 1147
Location: SF Bay area, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? (now with pics) |
|
|
Sure sounds like the OP REALLY wants a syncro. So I would pass on this vanagon.
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Craig |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 673
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:08 am Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? |
|
|
That will buff out 
_________________
82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TomInAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007
Posts: 386
Location: Anchorage, Ak
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 8:32 am Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? (now with pics) |
|
|
| Well, whether due to impatience or impulsiveness or a realization that my project fund simply can't support a $$$yncro right now, (and to the chagrin of my husband) I pulled the trigger on this van. Look for a build thread coming soon! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alaskaberrys
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2016
Posts: 1001
Location: SE Alaska
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Going to look a Vanagon today, any advice? (now with pics) |
|
|
Woohoo! Congrats!
Now ignore the “for sale” adds and dive into the mod/fix list/thread/suppliers gravity well. Looking forward to the new thread.
And good to have a skeptical spouse - I likely would have taken a mortgage on the house for that stupid doka by now I she didn’t also happen to live here.
_________________
'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...) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
). Rust is a buzz kill.