Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2002 18:34:30 -0800
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: another Calif stretch Vanagon project
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Late today I dropped off at a local fabricator's shop what is to be the
rear section of a stretch Vanagon. I spent most of the day today and
yesterday taking out the interior and removing everything underneath
that bridged the line where the cut and splice will be. The donor of
this main section is an 83 diesel Vanagon with a 5 speed. It was my
recent daily driver until yesterday but a little body work and paint was
already needed due to PO damage.
I spent much of Mon, Tues, Wed doing the same to a rear-crashed 86
Syncro before dropping it off Wed PM. I bought the ruined body and front
suspension/running gear from a friend who had picked it up at a salvage
auction. The front was pretty nice and the local availability of it
prompted me to revisit my old dormant plans for a stretch. Using a
Syncro for the front will give me a stronger suspension, bigger brakes,
more tire/wheel options, and improved dash wiring system. The ability to
end up with a stretch Syncro AWD at some point helped in the decision
too though that is not a top priority. Only 2wd for now and a custom
long driveshaft if I feel like it later.
Of course the famous Otmar did a stretch project a few years ago. He did
the hard part himself but I am leaving it to a pro. Here is a link to
his project for those who have forgotten or missed it.
http://www.evcl.com/vw/
I saw it in person at one of Steve Schwenk's get-togethers in SF about 2
years ago I think. Mine will be much shorter than Otmar's as I am only
adding about 2 feet. I think his is closer to 5 feet. I am using 2
passenger models as donors and then I plan to make it a custom Poptop
Camper if I am happy enough with the way it drives. The point of the
added length is to allow a much larger 3 way fridge behind the driver's
seat with a space opposite that behind the front passenger seat for a
porta-potty. There would still be room for a standard full Westy
interior in the remaining original space but I want to make a few
changes so I will probably make it mostly from scratch. I could have fit
everything into a standard Vanagon body but that would have seriously
reduced the open floor area. My wife and I have camped many times in our
various Vanagons and we have formed some opinions about what we would
like to change for the extended traveling we plan to someday do. This is
my chance to bring those changes about.
Mark Drillock,
Vanagon nut with a very understanding wife