VW Syncro Westfalia - Build Log with Pics

[Hodakaguy]

Originally Posted by P B G

Cheers on the build, when I was a kid my dad bought a bunch of vanagons, one a syncro.

Some good things, some bad. He successfully battled VW on two engines (goop in the cap nuts). But quite a few road trips were had that the VW did something catastrophic, I can see why you'd want a different plant.

From the passenger's perspective however, these things are a bit of a death trap. Examples. Roof mounted AC channel fell off and smacked the brother in the head while traveling down a flat relatively smooth highway.

Rearward facing seats decided to dislodge randomly. Battery burnt in its tray.

Rear heater vent duct on middle person's feet causing extreme discomfort while others are comfortable warm.

VOMITING DUE TO WIND BUFFETTING. Might just be me, but I have been car sick in more VW Vans than any other vehicle by atleast a 10 or 15 to 1 ratio. No issues before we got the van, nor since we got rid of it. But I have had trips with 11 vomits. I never experienced this while driving however, so my lesson is, no Passangers are to be allowed to ride in the back on windy days unless dosed w/ dramamine.

Yeah some suspension modifications, new shocks and larger wheels go a long way in creating a better ride.

I have quite a few modifications planned both inside and outside. Can't wait to get going!

Hodakaguy

[Mr. Vintage]

Cool, I'm tuned in. I have a '85 2WD Weekender with an EJ22 and I love it. Where in EastWa are you? I could come and offer unsolicited advice on your swap....

[Hodakaguy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Vintage

Cool, I'm tuned in. I have a '85 2WD Weekender with an EJ22 and I love it. Where in EastWa are you? I could come and offer unsolicited advice on your swap....

I'm in Tri-cities Wa. Shoot me a message if your down this way :-)

Hodakaguy

[Jamie Z]

Originally Posted by Hodakaguy

WOW, they are doing some serious traveling with their bus. Very cool! Thanks for the link!

Hodakaguy

It's a great story, but it makes me wonder why in the world anyone would want one of these things.

Talk about glutton for punishment.

I'll be following your build.

Jamie

[AtlantaViking]

Originally Posted by Jamie Z

It's a great story, but it makes me wonder why in the world anyone would want one of these things.

Talk about glutton for punishment.

I'll be following your build.

Jamie

Being a dreamer and always having a special place in my heart for Westys - its a packaging thing. These buggers are just ingenious. Think about it - how many vehicles do you know that are the same size as an medium sedan and can sleep up to 4. You still get the 'tent camping' feel with the pop top but in a somewhat more civilized way. Plus a fridge, burner, and sink. I think they're prohibitively expensive these days but if I could ever find a deal on one....man the fun to be had!

[A-Bone]

Originally Posted by AtlantaViking

Being a dreamer and always having a special place in my heart for Westys - its a packaging thing. These buggers are just ingenious. Think about it - how many vehicles do you know that are the same size as an medium sedan and can sleep up to 4. You still get the 'tent camping' feel with the pop top but in a somewhat more civilized way. Plus a fridge, burner, and sink. I think they're prohibitively expensive these days but if I could ever find a deal on one....man the fun to be had!

Yeah.. they are very cool... but I agree they are CRAZY expensive for a decent lower-mileage one...

I've been thinking: we just got our daughter a Honda Element... Ursa Minor makes the Ecamper...

This is a tempting option...

Honda reliability... All wheel drive... no built in kitchen/fridge etc.. but, if you think the VW's 'Weekender' is cool, this is a great option...

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/

[Hodakaguy]

Originally Posted by A-Bone

Yeah.. they are very cool... but I agree they are CRAZY expensive for a decent lower-mileage one...

I've been thinking: we just got our daughter a Honda Element... Ursa Minor makes the Ecamper...

This is a tempting option...

Honda reliability... All wheel drive... no built in kitchen/fridge etc.. but, if you think the VW's 'Weekender' is cool, this is a great option...

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/

Thats a cool setup. There are a couple expedition outfitting sites that sell awesome vehicle roof tents, racks etc.

Hodakaguy

[Hodakaguy]

Originally Posted by AtlantaViking

Being a dreamer and always having a special place in my heart for Westys - its a packaging thing. These buggers are just ingenious. Think about it - how many vehicles do you know that are the same size as an medium sedan and can sleep up to 4. You still get the 'tent camping' feel with the pop top but in a somewhat more civilized way. Plus a fridge, burner, and sink. I think they're prohibitively expensive these days but if I could ever find a deal on one....man the fun to be had!

Yep, basically a motorhome that turns on a dime, gets reasonable gas mileage and can still be driven down town in busy cities. There are still some great deals to be had if you watch Craigslist etc. I purchased mine by seeing it parked in a drive way and just pulling in and knocking on their door, I asked if she would sell it and she said yes!

Here's a couple interior shots. The rear bench folds flat into a bed, it also lifts up and has storage underneath. The table pivots out, the fridge is a 3-way unit...almost big enough to put something in lol.






Hodakaguy

[Tweaker]

Originally Posted by Hodakaguy

Yep, basically a motorhome that turns on a dime, gets reasonable gas mileage and can still be driven down town in busy cities. There are still some great deals to be had if you watch Craigslist etc. I purchased mine by seeing it parked in a drive way and just pulling in and knocking on their door, I asked if she would sell it and she said yes!

Here's a couple interior shots. The rear bench folds flat into a bed, it also lifts up and has storage underneath. The table pivots out, the fridge is a 3-way unit...almost big enough to put something in lol.






Hodakaguy

I have to admit, that beats hell out of the '71 Westphalia I used to live in.

[TEXASYETI]

Originally Posted by Hodakaguy

WOW, they are doing some serious traveling with their bus. Very cool! Thanks for the link!

Hodakaguy

I know, they are really taking a nice roadtrip.

Crazy how they spent so much getting ready with the fresh water system, electrical system redo, etc., but have had so many mechanical problems on the road.

[chazbird]

FYI:

http://www.thebuslab.com/index.html

I see about 12-20 VW buses/Vanagons parked in their yard for service/repair/conversions. I am not sure if they sell or consign, maybe, but they have parts. FWIW my friend wants to sell his '81 air-cooled Westy style van, 98k, with 40k on a rebuild - ($3700 if interested) but it really is so pitifully underpowered, getting its gluttonous 18 mpg, that it begs for a Subaru conversion.

[JAB]

If you were going to rehab the electric windows, maybe these folks will have the bits you need.

http://www.flandersco.com/action.las...gory=CablePart

Good luck and have fun.

[Mambo Dave]

I'm looking at that kitchen in the pictures, and wondering - this may be me just not sensing the scale here, but are Westfalias made more for people of shorter stature? Obviously space is a concern, but if that stove top and sink are as short as they seem, my back would go out in trying to use 'em.

Neat set-up, for sure, but at some point a Coleman white-gas stove, outside on a picnic table, can be far more comfortable than some more cramped set-ups.

[Hodakaguy]

Originally Posted by JAB

If you were going to rehab the electric windows, maybe these folks will have the bits you need.

http://www.flandersco.com/action.las...gory=CablePart

Good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the link, I think I've collected everything I need to fix the regs from my local hardware store. Once both manual regs are in and working I'll rehab the electrics and sell them as a set to someone wanting electric windows.

Hodakaguy

[Hodakaguy]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

I'm looking at that kitchen in the pictures, and wondering - this may be me just not sensing the scale here, but are Westfalias made more for people of shorter stature? Obviously space is a concern, but if that stove top and sink are as short as they seem, my back would go out in trying to use 'em.

Neat set-up, for sure, but at some point a Coleman white-gas stove, outside on a picnic table, can be far more comfortable than some more cramped set-ups.

It's really not as bad as it looks, I'm 6'1" tall and I can use the kitchen without a problem. I carry a Jet boil in one of the cabinets for heating water...a lot faster if you only need hot water.

Hodakaguy