Date:         Fri, 2 May 2003 18:56:11 EDT
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 85 Westy, 91 Subaru engine, for sale on Craig's List
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 5/1/03 2:29:46 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
undine@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<< In Berkeley: 85 VW Westfalia ("VW Joker") imported from Holland in 86, 91
 Subaru engine done with Kennedy Engineering Conversion Kit, 50,000 miles on
 new engine, $4500. Not mine, just noticed it on the list,
 www.craigslist.org, thought someone might be interested. >>

For those who are interested,  I checked out this Joker ;). Sounds better in
paper but still a good deal. There is seam rust from top to bottom on the
driver's side center panel. The engine swap was reasonably sanitary but I
have seen better. Accelerator cable was patched together but the owner,
Lester, says he has a new cable which comes with he van. The engine does not
idle well after it warms up. He says he dropped the AFM when working on the
van and has run badly since then. The battery is in the stock location for
most diesels just in front of the rear passenger side taillight. You will
have to disconnect the main radiator hose and line to remove the battery
should you need to. Most of the large diameter hoses are accordion flex-type.
I'm not really sure what you other Vanaru and Syncaru people are using. When
I saw Roadcow's, it was done in copper pipe. The starter look rusty on the
outside but performed flawlessly. There was powersteering reservoir still
attached to the engine but it's basically sitting there doing nothing. This
is a non-PS van.

The rear left corner has some moderate damage caused when a flat tire caught
the large rear mudflap and tore it off the body. There is primer spray all
over the place where the owner tried to stop corrosion. This puppy had a poor
paintjob and needs to be redone. Poptop was painted body color. Comes with
skylight. Canvas has some small rips at the rear next to the hinges on both
sides. Nice striped retractable awning. I can't remember the brand. Stove
looked very clean and possibly unused. Fridge was dirty but not damaged. The
adjacent cabinet has a small catalytic-looking heater attached to it. I
didn't check it out. A number of latches were missing or broken. A few edge
trims were curled from age and heat. I saw the thermostat for what was the
original auxiliary heater. Probably, Webasto. The guy says everything should
still be underneath. I could not see well underneath to verify. It was
raining when I went to check it out. Has a gray water tank. Nice touch. Has
al the auxiliary screening for the doors. Sliding window screens need work.
Rear bed needs thorough cleaning but otherwise serviceable. Front seats are
87-91 Vanagon seats. Adjustable armrests are flopping around. May just need
to be remounted. Has dashmat carpet thingy with one of those cheesy
cupholders Velcro'd to the ashtray.

I almost forgot the big one -- it has a 5-speed trans. The seller didn't even
realize that was special (in the US) until I told him. This is an 85. We only
got the in the 83's here.

Steel rims with hubcaps. Tires are so-so. The gotta go.

Bumpers are black painted and serviceable. Not that pretty. Front has been
cut to allow a 2" receiver to be welded for carrying bikes only. It's not
strong enough for a winch as it is welded to inner bumper w/o reinforcements.
The rear receiver is equally weak. He said he used them to carry 6 bikes in
total -- 3 upfront and 3 in the rear.

That's about all can tell you about it. I went with a friend who was
considering the beast. He made the mistake of bringing his wife to look it
over. She liked the EuroVan camper that the guy had sitting in the driveway
better. Just because it was "prettier".

Oh yeah, no power mirrors or locks. No powersteering as I said earlier. And
no AC. Plus fridge is 220V. I guess the fridge can be replaced. Camp ground
connectors are all weird to me as they are not the Delta-6 variety.

Worth the $$$ IMHO just because it is rare in the US. Make sure you bring
your Subaru Guru to check it out before you buy.

BenT