Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 16:26:50 -0600
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Re-introduction & Dash Removal Question
In-Reply-To: <CAF2548B-061F-439C-8C53-7771AB86530E@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
It's a good time to add an additional fuse block/buss behind the glove
box for those add-on's you might want to make later - like fog lamps for
the front bumper. I have them - they are great.
And maybe a pair of roadside lamps to spot any deer about to cross the
road. I have a pair of these also on Volksiebus - work great but you
can't have them "ON" when approaching on coming traffic at night. Mine
have an on/off switch as well as being tied to the dimmer switch to go
from "ON" to "OFF" when the dimmer goes from bright to dim.
You might add a separate backup light like mine to your rear bumper -
and wire through the new buss, with a rocker switch near the bottom of
the panel somewhere. I really love this setup on mine. You REALLY CAN
SEE for backing up at night. Beautiful supplement to the Van backups.
I also have large round RED tail light on it's own switch that I can
turn on for added safety in foggy/rainy weather. It's wired though my
extra buss.You might consider that, as well.
Finally - not related to the front dash but roadside safety concerns.
Volksiebus has driver and passenger front door posts and door edges
taped with striped reflective tape. The rear hatch opening is also
taped, as well as a 14X14 in square striped reflective tape patch on the
outside of the rear hatch on the driver side. You perhaps might consider
reflective tape. If anyone hits me on the side of the road - it's
because they are totally blind or totally stupid - one or the other!!
Good Luck with your project!
John
On 2/25/2014 1:41 PM, Nathan Wood wrote:
> Thank you to everyone for all the helpful suggestions. This is really turning into a big project. Added to my list below I now also have this to do:
>
> Headlight Relays
> Box flap seals and body gasket
> Sound-deadening material
> Fix any seam rust (not sure the best way to go about this, POR-15?)
> Tighten 12v outlet (mine is loose)
> Check wiper shafts
> Washer jet tubes
> Lube brake pedal & control cables
> Check ground star block (if rusted, replacement available from?)
> Relocate power window switches (GoWesty has a kit. Not sure if I want to do this or not. Do most people ditch the factory switches? My drivers side is inoperable but I haven't diagnosed it yet.)
> Have wife ready to help lift dash off.
>
> I might have to wait a little while to get started so I can source all the parts and make sure the weather will be warm enough and tornado free as I imagine this will take me 2-3 weekends to complete.
>
> Nathan
>
> On 02/23/14, Nathan Wood<dart330@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Hello list,
>
> I have been away from the Vanagon community for some time. I joined back in
> 2001 when I picked up an 85 Westy. Since then I also had an 87 Syncro and
> an 82 Westy all of which I had to sell due to 2 job relocations.
>
> Things have settled down and I recently picked up a 90 Carat Automatic for
> a project vehicle. I believe I am the 3rd owner. The last one purchased it
> in 1998 and only drove it 7k miles in 14 years. It is pretty much bone
> stock with 125k miles, even has the factory radio. My plan is to simply fix
> all the little broken stuff and do as much preventative maintenance as
> possible so we can take it camping and hit the VW shows. This is my first
> automatic, so that in itself is a bit of a new adventure.
>
> So far I have done the tires (proper Hankooks), shocks (Bilstein HD), rear
> hatch struts, and am fixing all the various lights that aren't working due
> to burnt out bulbs or rusted out housings. I have it at the local shop
> right now getting the ATF & diff fluids changed along with the Foreign Auto
> Supply transmission cooler being installed.
>
> The next big thing for me to tackle is the dash removal as the front blower
> fan is inoperable. This is a first for me, as I never had this problem on
> my previous Vanagons. I have read through the step-by-step on Ben's website
> and I don't think I will have too much trouble.
>
> My question is what is the exhaustive list of things that need to be
> replaced while the dash is out? So far I have:
>
> Blower Fan
> Heater Core
> Heater Core Valve
> Heater Box Clips
> Ignition Switch
> Brake Master Cylinder (no clutch MC since it is an auto)
> Wiper Motor
>
> Is there anything else I should tackle if I plan to drive this for the next
> 5-10 years? I don't want to have to do this more than once.
>
> Thanks for the help! It is great to be driving a Vanagon once again.
>
> Nathan,
> Now in OKC.
>
