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PorscheT2 
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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 Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:53 pm Post subject: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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So my 1988 Doka finally arrived in my garage today!
I found the truck in Germany on https://www.mobile.de/.
It was used as a firetruck with what looked like 63,393 original km's. Closer diligence showed that the truck was originally delivered to the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Vestenthal in 1988 and that they operated the truck until the early 2000s. My goal was to find a rust free unmolested example and I felt this could be it. I contacted Mike Plompen at https://busman.be/ who inspected the truck, sent tons of pictures and confirmed its originality.
Mike also put me in touch with the shipping company and coordinated the installation of some Carat square headlights. The ocean journey took about 12 days and I was able to track the ACL Atlantic Sail during those 12 days.
Brenda Lang at Lamprecht https://www.lamprechtusa.com/ did a superb job to help me with the importation, customs and delivery of the Doka from Port New York to my house. My biggest concern were the potential Trump tariffs on top of the Chicken Tax, but I got the Doka into the country before any additional tariffs came into effect.
Initial impressions
- the Doka is extremely original. The outside paint is a bit faded in comparison to the inside, but the truck appears original and rust free.
- I have all the original manuals and maintenance records since new until it stopped being driven around 2011
- The tires seem to be 22 years old
- The 1.9l Diesel started right up
Next Steps
- Registration and Title
- Clean up the car and get the radio working
- Full service, including oil changes, brake service and whatever else is needed
After that
- Buy wheel adapters from T3 TECHNIQUE for 17" Porsche Cup 2 wheels and 205/50-17 tires
- Install the Carat front spoiler, ordered from The Bus Depot
- Get new shocks and lowering springs
- Paint front and rear bumpers satin black and remove aux fog lights
Last edited by PorscheT2 on Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:54 am; edited 1 time in total |
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16CVs
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4250
Location: Redwood City, California
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:58 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka arrives on the US East Coast |
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Those white end caps white bolt covers a hard to find commodity for the European vans. I would replace them and not paint them.
Nice looking truck, I've been driving one for 25 years.
Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
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Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2025 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka arrives on the US East Coast |
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| 16CVs wrote: |
Those white end caps white bolt covers a hard to find commodity for the European vans. I would replace them and not paint them.
Nice looking truck, I've been driving one for 25 years. |
Thank you - I'll buy some black endcaps. CORRECTION - the end caps and bolt covers are clearly painted.
Last edited by PorscheT2 on Fri Mar 07, 2025 9:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17153
Location: Brookeville, MD
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2025 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka arrives on the US East Coast |
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Decoded M-Sticker
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unibagel
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2004
Posts: 559
Location: Bflo, NY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2025 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka arrives on the US East Coast |
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beauty
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Founder: uniWerks Design, LLC specialty 3D printed Vanagon parts
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:57 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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So I hit the first snag of this project with the NJ DMV. NJ has a special registration unit for imported vehicles in Trenton. That unit no longer allows foot traffic, only applications by mail. Turn time for registration and title is 8 - 14 weeks! They require all documents in original form (import documents are no longer provided in originals) and a Bill of Sale with notarized signatures.
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1988 VW DOKA TRANSPORTER |
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ibulib
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: The SLC
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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| PorscheT2 wrote: |
So I hit the first snag of this project with the NJ DMV. NJ has a special registration unit for imported vehicles in Trenton. That unit no longer allows foot traffic, only applications by mail. Turn time for registration and title is 8 - 14 weeks! They require all documents in original form (import documents are no longer provided in originals) and a Bill of Sale with notarized signatures.
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I love your T3!!! My wife gave me permission to import one once I sell one of my Westys. I think it's a fair trade. Can you register your Doka in a different state to make the process easier? This is what most people do in my area. They register their imports to Montana then title in their home state if it's not a diesel. |
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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| ibulib wrote: |
| PorscheT2 wrote: |
So I hit the first snag of this project with the NJ DMV. NJ has a special registration unit for imported vehicles in Trenton. That unit no longer allows foot traffic, only applications by mail. Turn time for registration and title is 8 - 14 weeks! They require all documents in original form (import documents are no longer provided in originals) and a Bill of Sale with notarized signatures.
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I love your T3!!! My wife gave me permission to import one once I sell one of my Westys. I think it's a fair trade. Can you register your Doka in a different state to make the process easier? This is what most people do in my area. They register their imports to Montana then title in their home state if it's not a diesel. |
Yes - I was able to register it in NY. It took all of 25 minutes and to my surprise they actually knew what they were doing and asking for.
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1988 VW DOKA TRANSPORTER |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23908
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2025 12:52 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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Thatโs why we started charging you $10 to drive onto Manhattan
Beautiful ride , bring it out to Port Jeff sometime and Iโll buy dinner
Cars Coffee Sundays, first of each month
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2025 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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| Abscate wrote: |
Thatโs why we started charging you $10 to drive onto Manhattan
Beautiful ride , bring it out to Port Jeff sometime and Iโll buy dinner
Cars Coffee Sundays, first of each month |
Sounds like a great idea. It will take me another month or so to make it road worthy.
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1988 VW DOKA TRANSPORTER |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17153
Location: Brookeville, MD
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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Sooo... here is a bit of an update, but things are moving at a snails pace:
The tires and belts are too old to drive the car to the shop, so I borrowed a trailer to get it there.
The Porsche 964 Cup2 17" knock-offs arrived (Maxlite) with an offset of ET52 and 5x130 bolt pattern and I got some tires for them. I went with the 7" in wheels all the way round and the 205/50-17 tires. I also sourced a Porsche 944 spare wheel with the correct ET53 offset for the spare tire and mounted a 215/60-15 tire for the spare.
I am still waiting for the custom hub adapters from www.t3technique.com
The truck only came with one key, so I had two spares made by Justin, which fit perfectly, after initially having tried to have a local locksmith make a spare key from a blank (didn't work).
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1169945[/url]
I bought H&R Green springs, Bilstein B8 Sport dampers and some new brake lines from https://brickwerks.co.uk/[url] but that shipment has been stuck in US Customs for about 10 days now as we provide information on the source of the steel used for the parts (no kidding).
Now I still need to find an original jack and a toolkit.
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1988 VW DOKA TRANSPORTER |
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S4VAGE
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 290
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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this is going to be FUN! following... love those wheels and on a red lowered 2wd van is going to be hot!
Welcome to the doka club! |
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CaptainCrunch
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Joined: November 05, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: Bay Area
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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Following along as I have a Doka in a container now and plan to go a similar route with some Ronal wheels. Great looking Doka!
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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Thanks folks!
So while I am continuing to deal with the importation of the springs and shocks and stainless steel brake lines (called FedEx every day and the requirements seem to shift), some more updates:
Bought the hidden hitch from Van Cafe to replace the European hitch with the small hitch ball. My plan is to tow my car trailer (2000 lbs empty weight) or at least move it around on a flat surface. I know we won't get far towing with the 57 hp. Got the trailer brake controller and wiring from eTrailer.
https://vancafe.com/hidden-hitch/
I also want to get rid of the round auxiliary lights and replace them with the Terrapodz integrated lights:
https://www.terrawagen.com/products/terrapodz-v2
I am also installing a cigarette lighter (there isn't one currently).
The engine compartment cleaned up nicely but there is more work to do:
... and the engine sound deadening material will be replaced.
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1988 VW DOKA TRANSPORTER |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23908
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 1:39 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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I missed it was a diesel, nice!
Clack clack clack
You wonโt win speed races but towing torque on any diesel is good and โforgivingโ
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S4VAGE
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 290
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2025 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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| PorscheT2 wrote: |
Thanks folks!
So while I am continuing to deal with the importation of the springs and shocks and stainless steel brake lines (called FedEx every day and the requirements seem to shift), some more updates:
Bought the hidden hitch from Van Cafe to replace the European hitch with the small hitch ball. My plan is to tow my car trailer (2000 lbs empty weight) or at least move it around on a flat surface. I know we won't get far towing with the 57 hp. Got the trailer brake controller and wiring from eTrailer.
https://vancafe.com/hidden-hitch/
I also want to get rid of the round auxiliary lights and replace them with the Terrapodz integrated lights:
https://www.terrawagen.com/products/terrapodz-v2
I am also installing a cigarette lighter (there isn't one currently).
The engine compartment cleaned up nicely but there is more work to do:
... and the engine sound deadening material will be replaced.
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LMK where you get / what you use for the sound deadening in the engine bay, mine is toast, I have never spent any time sourcing new material |
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MsTaboo
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Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4556
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2025 10:35 am Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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| S4VAGE wrote: |
| ...LMK where you get / what you use for the sound deadening in the engine bay, mine is toast, I have never spent any time sourcing new material |
On my old diesel Syncro Tristar I replaced the battered insulation with a product from Dynamat called Hoodliner.
Unfortunately this is the best picture I have of it installed.
It's about the same thickness as the original but lacks the dense backer of the stock product.
I didn't do it, but seems to me you could scrap the old foam off the original backer and glue the Hoodliner to that for additional robustness.
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PorscheT2
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2024
Posts: 21
Location: NY/NY
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Another VW T3 Doka Import from Germany arrives |
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On my old diesel Syncro Tristar I replaced the battered insulation with a product from Dynamat called Hoodliner.
Unfortunately this is the best picture I have of it installed.
It's about the same thickness as the original but lacks the dense backer of the stock product.
Cool stuff - thanks!
ok - some small progress on my side:
- NY title arrived - wohoo!
- the T3 Technique custom hub adapters arrived and I was able to install the new wheels https://t3technique.com/ Christopher has been so extremely helpful
- I installed the Porsche Cup II knock-off wheels. The wheels are 7.5" x 17" ET52 Maxlite Cupfelge. Tires are 205/50-17 https://sierramadrecollection.com/products/maxilit...ster-87-89
Installing the adapters was easy except for the fact that getting the front grease caps off was a challenge and re-installing the speedo cable was an even bigger challenge, but a magnet helped complete the task.
The bad:
- I discovered that I will need to replace the front calipers/rotors and pads. The amount of rust I found was totally unbelievable
- I had a missing lug nut on the right rear wheel as somebody cross threaded the nut on the stud and destroyed the stud. Easy to replace and glad I checked.
- My H&R lowering springs, Bilstein shocks and stainless steel brake lines purchased from Brickwerks are still caught in US customs after about 4 weeks with no estimate in terms of clearance. This is very frustrating and I am told by FedEx that I am not alone.
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