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Vanagon Geek
United States
Приєднався 26 жов 2020
I love these quirky German Boxes and have owned 4 of them. My current baby is "Ferdinand", a 1982 Vanagon Westfalia that was born as a diesel. I will share with you some of my philosophy, hacks, upgrades, travels, adventures and other Vanagon related goodness as time goes on. The Vanagon culture is a huge part of my life and I love to talk "Van" with folks. I am by no means an expert, but I've seen and learned a few things along my path. See you on the road!
VW Westfalia Camper Tour / Walkaround - EJ25 Subaru Swapped
This is a walk around and fairly thorough discussion about everything I have done to my 1982 Westalia VW to get it where it is today. He's not perfect, and has some scars, but he works well for us and allows us to travel comfortably and reliably.
Leave comments with questions below and don’t forget to subscribe!
Common questions and the basics:
-1982 Westafalia (born as a diesel)
-DIY Subaru Swapped with a 2001 EJ25 using a Rocky Mountain Westy conversion kit
-RMW SS exhaust
-Transmission from an '84 and regeard 3rd (1.13) and 4th (.77)
-Shwenk Springs with spacers/shims
-Bilstein XHD shocks
-BFG 215, 75/15 A/T tires
-15" Rhein wheels
-T3 Techniques HD steering
-Big Shot shifter
Feel free to post questions in the comments below!
Leave comments with questions below and don’t forget to subscribe!
Common questions and the basics:
-1982 Westafalia (born as a diesel)
-DIY Subaru Swapped with a 2001 EJ25 using a Rocky Mountain Westy conversion kit
-RMW SS exhaust
-Transmission from an '84 and regeard 3rd (1.13) and 4th (.77)
-Shwenk Springs with spacers/shims
-Bilstein XHD shocks
-BFG 215, 75/15 A/T tires
-15" Rhein wheels
-T3 Techniques HD steering
-Big Shot shifter
Feel free to post questions in the comments below!
Переглядів: 11 291
Відео
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Vanagon Westfalia Stereo Upgrade Boss BE10ACP-C with Apple CarPlay
Vans On The Mountain 2021 - A Yearly Pilgrimage
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Vans On The Mountain 2021 - A Yearly Pilgrimage
DIY Solar Generator / Auxiliary Power System
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DIY Solar Generator / Auxiliary Power System
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Descend on Bend 2021 short overview
Vanagon Storage - Spare tire clamshell
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Vanagon Storage - Spare tire clamshell
Vanagon Vangaroo rear hatch storage by Vogel Werks Designs
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Vanagon Vangaroo rear hatch storage by Vogel Werks Designs
Vanagon Westfalia Aux Power charging ports USB 12v
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Vanagon Westfalia Aux Power charging ports USB 12v
Vanagon Westfalia Trunk Stowage and Contents
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Vanagon Westfalia Trunk Stowage and Contents
Vanagon Westfalia Storage and Organizing Part 1
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Vanagon Westfalia Storage and Organizing Part 1
Vanagon Westfalia Hacks with Neodymium magnets
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Vanagon Westfalia Hacks with Neodymium magnets
Vanagon Westfalia ARB awning setup 1 person
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Vanagon Westfalia ARB awning setup 1 person
Vanagon Westfalia faux security alarm hack
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Vanagon Westfalia faux security alarm hack
Vanagon Westfalia Wildlife Encounters - Female Elk at Prairie Creek State Park and Fern Canyon
Переглядів 993 роки тому
Vanagon Westfalia Wildlife Encounters - Female Elk at Prairie Creek State Park and Fern Canyon
Vanagon Westfalia 5kw Chinese Diesel heater part 2
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Vanagon Westfalia 5kw Chinese Diesel heater part 2
Vanagon Westfalia 5kw Diesel Heater overview
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Vanagon Westfalia Custom Interior Cabinets
Vanagon Westfalia ceiling Fan Cooling system
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Vanagon Westfalia ceiling Fan Cooling system
Vanagon exhaust using Rocky Mountain Westy system
Переглядів 1,1 тис.3 роки тому
Vanagon exhaust using Rocky Mountain Westy system
Vanagon Subaru EJ25 Using OBD2 Dash Command App
Переглядів 8743 роки тому
Vanagon Subaru EJ25 Using OBD2 Dash Command App
Had a 2.5 in my 88 tintop for 20 years in BC. How do you smog that 2.5 in California?
Didn't you used to play for the Packers? ;)
Nice rig. Been looking into these but man ej25d diesel and fuel system rebuild why not go gas and go westy? Any videos out there that compare the subaru vs the gowesty?
It’s was a diesel originally, but it’s a EJ25 gas powered Subaru. Runs great
How much did you paid for motor and labor?
Full conversion cost me about $10k and I DIY’d it
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and let us have a peak into your rig. You can tell that you’ve spend a lot of time with it. A quick question: I have the opportunity to buy a 1986 Westfalia with a 2.1 l petrol engine and was wondering why you prefer the diesel over the petrol…reliability?
I bought it as a diesel but converted it to gas. The diesel registration here in CA allows me smog exemption
Thanks Mike
Hey, what if you want a tint to it to match the paint job? My van is the blue.
Is there a 4x4 version of this van ?
Yeah, the Vanagon Syncro
Mike!
nice
Great little film / video. You have covered everything very carefully. I’m a paint chemist and manufacture er and the product you are using is the best available from the best manufacturer. Can’t better the product. Time for me to tidy up my pop top LW T5
Excellent vid.
Thank you!🙏
Good job ! And thanks for your tips, gonna help to paint mine next week !
Thanks for the vid, great van. I’m thinking of doing the diesel heater with fuel tank in the same spot. Would you mind dropping a link to the tank you’re using. I assume you used the same tank fittings n parts the heater came with?
Yeah, I was able to do the whole install with what the 5kw came with although I opted for a fuel tank what was short and long as opposed to the tall skinny version.
Practical well thought out mods. 👍
Thank you! 🙏
Very nice Vanagon. I bought an ‘86 Weekender with a Bostig Ford engine. I wish i have the time and knowledge to do suspension replacements such as bushings or adding diesel heater.
Thanks you! Suspension isn’t too difficult unless you’re adding lift springs and then it become more challenging. Bushings themselves are easy once the springs are out. The diesel heater is pretty simple as well, just plumbing and wiring, but finding a good spot takes some time.
Van stow for the dash, who are they?
I believe it came from Gowesty about 4-5 years ago. Not sure if they still Sell them or not
as jodido una vw t3 por dentro amigo gringo
Hey Mike, how tall are you? Do you find your Westy uncomfortable to drive?
Im 6’2” and we sleep with our heads at the back (quite comfortably)
On the lower bunk
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I meant the driving overall. Is the drivers seat uncomfortable being a tall man?
Sorry, I didn’t have my glasses on. 😊. No, I find it oddly comfortable to be honest. We’ve done multiple trips where I was in the seat for 6-8hrs at a time and no problem. A fancy recarro would probably feel better but these seats do just fine and I don’t feel like I’m too big in there.
Thanks again Mike! I enjoy your material, keep it coming my friend!
Lost interest when he started calling a van him
Well… the last van was a “she” so I decided to mix it up. 😉
@@VanagonGeek How do you know its a "he" or "she" ?
@@MrCarpy-b2che just seems like a “he”
Its a cracking van🤙
Thank you for taking the time showing your awesome ‘82 Westy, it’s truly appreciated. I love your personal touches on the cabinets and how you made it work to your needs. And yes, the magnet gadgets are awesome!!!
Thank you!🙏
Nice upgrades/ I have a 1982 westy with-a 2.2 suberu in it/ good engine/ 16” Ko2 tires/ 5 speed Subaru Trany/. I have had it about 1 1/2 yrs/ I enjoy it, it’s just me and the westy/ I am interested in those motion sensor lights you showed. Do you know the name of them or link? thx David (I live in Oregon)
I got them on Amazon… and they are super handy. a.co/d/dEH1in9
That is an awesome you did it up real well from what I see I wouldn't mind having one just like it
You accomplished your goal. I figured it was a '90 when I clicked on the video.
Thanks! 🙏
Brilliant video thanks really enjoyed it,what a beautiful van love everything you done I would love a van like this ;thanks for sharing 👍
What was that front upper control bushings from GoWesty?
Here ya go: gowesty.com/products/front-suspension-bushing-set?_pos=2&_sid=1258b8892&_ss=r
Great build! I've been sitting on my Grandpa's 84.5" full camper for a while now. Trying to get the money together to give it a new life. He bought his in Germany and took it all over Europe, North Africa before bringing it home to Mill Valley. Then he took it all over North America. Definitely planning to steal some ideas from you 🙂
They are fun to restore and super simple. I highly recommend diving in!
What is your cruising rpm at 70/75mph with no grade?
I think I’m around 3200 at those speeds. I’ll double check next time I have it out.
From an unreliable engine to a slightly less unreliable engine. Good build tho
6 years on this motor, and zero issues 👍🏽
I love it you did a great job on it
Thank you!🙏
it would have been great to see how it effects the ability to turn fan switch, shifter and other interference it might have caused.
The fan switch access is a little tight if the screen is rotated towards the driver. Usually I have it centered. Otherwise, no problems. 👍🏽
Awesome van! I live in California as well and I just got a 1982 Diesel westy. How did you go about the registration process for your van? Did you have to drive your car to the DMV for registration papers etc even though it’s smogged exempt in California ? Thanks!
It was a simple reg being that it was already reg’d in CA. I’ve never had any issues. 🤷♂️
@@VanagonGeek well that’s good! Did you have to drive the car to the dmv to register it ? Since it’s smogged exempt, did they need to see that it was in fact a diesel or do you just send paper in?
No, it was just paperwork at the DMV. Didn’t have to take the van in.
What brand did you fit in stead of Fiama?
I use the ARB 8’ touring awning. 6+ years and it still works great!
So love your channel, & finally got to have a good look at your van. Totally fantastic build 👍👍
Thank you and thanks for watching!
What brand jack mount do you have or did you build it? I want to mount mine on my front bumper. Great walk though thank you
I made my own with the help of a good friend. They are just tabs welded on for it to bolt to.
Cool van, i've had plenty of old VW's but never a Vanagon, when i started looking into them the prices skyrocketed, nice build everything seems to be purpose built congrats!
thank you and I appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Thanks Bud! I've got an 87 tin top passenger syncro that I've camped out of for 15 years or so. Still flogging that stock 2.1 wasserboxer. Great to see all your mods and tips and tricks. Travel Well!
Thanks for watching! The tin tops do just fine as long as you don't need to stand up. I almost bought a TT Syncro a few years back, but then ran across the deal on the diesel.
What grit did you sand with?
I used a 220 grit just to rough it up a little.
Does your gear shift hit the volume knob in 3rd? It does in mine. Thinking of ordering a Gowesty shift knob extension that angles back a bit.
@vanagongeek just noticed it looks like you've got a reduced throw shifter. So maybe not a problem for you.
sorry I missed this. The shifter doesn't hit anything but I do have the Big Shot Shifter...
Nice video! Does the camera know when you are backing up?
I haven't added the back up camera yet, but you can wire it to your back up light so that it triggers the screen when backing. Adding the camera is on my winter to-do list.
Awesome, thank you.@@VanagonGeek
How is this holding up two years later… any fumes to deal with?
This heater has been awesome! The only problem I've had with it was when the fuel line came loose at the tank and it was sucking air... I thought it was the heater itself, but finally located the problem and fixed it. No fumes. Best $165 ever spent.
@@VanagonGeek thanks for the response! Mine is currently sitting in the hallway 🤘 last question and sorry if this has been answered before… but where did you mount your fuel tank? Cheers from Vancouver Island Canada
@@dub944 awesome, I mounted my 5L tank in the engine bay on the right side behind the tailight. I put a small plastic tray under it to catch any fuel that I might spill when filling and it’s easy to slide in and out to fill at the gas station. The heater uses very little fuel, so I only have had to fill it up maybe 4-5x. I only run the heater in the mornings and at night after we wake up and before going to bed to take the chill off. We’ve camped in 15degree temps and stayed toasty warm.
Hey Mike.....great idea...I was wondering what brand and model of back-up fuel pump you carry? I am wanting to assemble an essential road parts package for my '85 Westy. Thanks
I use the off-brand from Gowesty. They’ve always worked great, no problems.
@@VanagonGeek ..Thanks Mike....you must have bought it some time ago...it looks from the exterior color to be made by Performance. GoWesty no longer sells them, and instead uses another supplier. Peformance made two different red pumps for the Vanagons, and I'm curious to know which model yours is if you are able to tell me?
You are correct, I bought my first one quite a few years ago and then picked up a spare a year or so ago, both of them were red. I swapped in the spare in May when I was having issues, but the pump wasn’t the problem. They are both still in great shape.
That looks great!
Thank you!
Hope it's still possible to get my hands on one of these, storage is extremely limited for us weekenders!
I just ran across this install, how's the stereo treating 9 months later? I'm considering doing the same install in a 1985 I'm about to purchase.
It’s been great! Occasionally if I make a Bluetooth call, it will Get stuck in phone mode for Some Reason. The fix is to shut it off and turn it back on. It’s only happened a few times and other than that I like it.
Hi, does this awning attach to the gutter system? Or do you need to drill holes and screw into the top? Thank you!
It’s mounted to the gutter using the Northwesty brackets
@@VanagonGeek Thanks! I figured and ordered/installed this week!
@@TahoeRealm nice! The awning and brackets have been on the van for over 6 years and zero problems.
Dig the flavor-saver, Mike.
Did you have to run an amplifier? Ran my wiring but not getting any sound out of the speakers
No amp, just straight the the speakers and plenty of power for 2 6x9’s and 5.5” door speakers. It cranks!
Where do you install the fuel tank for the heater?
Mine is mounted in the engine bay, passenger side behind the taillights.
@@VanagonGeek interesting… How hard is it to fill that back up then… I think in the time that you have responded, we have decided to go with mounting the heater under the seat with a smaller tank right beside it. We looked at that space behind the tail light, but it seemed awfully inconvenient to be able to refuel
@@cinenomadic I picked up a rectangular 5L tank and it’s super easy aside from having to open the engine bay, but it burns very little fuel and usually lasts me 10-12 nights. I shut it down once we go to bed.