Date: Sat, 14 May 2022 23:09:43 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Alternative...just thinking
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxPsrQ44pT-hNq-A5pm58B4buK5+d9jPrfLG_FeDioKVhQ@mail.gmail.com>
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I love my Vanagons. Love driving them. I've been back and forth between
Alabama and Alaska a few times in them. . My fav is the Tintop. Such
utility. Have owned 6 over the years. Last one was bought last year.
Prol'ly the last I will ever own. I'm getting a bit long in the tooth. You
horsemen out there will know what I mean. It's a 1991 Carat. It too is a
bit long in the tooth and it shows. But expecting it to be the last, I took
it on as a project. I went to the trouble of getting a ZERO MILES SINCE
OVERHAUL Subaru ej2.5 engine installed, coupled to the Vanagon automatic
transmission. Given my age, that baby should outlast me with no trouble.
There are other things. Completely rebuilt the front suspension - bushings,
bearing, brake discs, brake pucks, new p/s rack. While it's driveable,
there is much to do. Electric windows need repair with regulators and
motors, doors need new motors for the lock, and rear hatch lock motor must
be replaced. I have to replace the front blower motor which means the dash
has to come out. BTDT on another Carat. Meanest job of all I think. Needs a
new paint job. This beast will keep me occupied for a while, but it is
drivable, and I do love the added power of the EJ2.5 ENGINE. To go from 90
HP to 165 hp is a real kick in the butt!
On Sat, May 14, 2022 at 9:31 PM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Well, for a lot of listers, it just wouldn't be VW. and for some, that
> really matters. Not me, I have the Campmobile for its camping function,
> not because it is VW, and certainly not because I like all the maintenance
> it requires. But I will say, it seems to keep on running.
>
> On Sat, May 14, 2022 at 5:04 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> > No PopTops. Not needed. Only camp with 2. Custom side window screens
> > and a rooftop vent give me all the ventilation I need. Yes, I can still
> > pull on my jeans sitting down, no need to stand up. Cooking outside on
> > campground picnic table works just fine, and keeps the bears away (except
> > for one time at Mammoth with trash bag on passenger side window.....you
> > will never know how big a bear's face is until it's 14 inches away in the
> > middle of the night with only a window pane separating!)
> >
> > On Friday, May 13, 2022, 03:18:07 PM PDT, Gil Ngai <
> > eyebawlgil@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Richard, care to share pics of your other conversions? Do they have
> > poptops?
> > •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••GIL NGAI • I TELL GOOD
> > STORIES
> > filmmaker • DP • chief storyteller • instructor www.dayonemedia.ca
> >
> > On Fri, May 13, 2022 at 4:09 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> > Insane amount to convert into camper? Oh, not at all. If you've got an
> > electric drill and an electric saw of some kind....and a staple gun and
> > scissors...YES!!! I have done this 3 times. True that foam cushioning
> > prices have climbed, so has plywood. But still...with some imagination,
> > and a modicum of expertise, the Westfalia interior can be easily
> surpassed
> > in both price and function. BTDT.
> >
> > On Friday, May 13, 2022, 02:27:09 PM PDT, Gil Ngai <
> > eyebawlgil@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I have a similar Westy and I too frankly wonder why there isn't more
> > discussion about this.
> > Modern Toyota and Honda vans are incredible machines, so reliable and
> > cheaper for entry in the long run.
> > For sure an insane amount of work to convert, but we are all use to a lot
> > of work on our rigs.
> > So what's the reason not more people are dreaming like Richard??
> >
> > Gil Ngai
> > '85 Westy 2.5EJ
> > Calgary, AB
> > •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
> > *GIL NGAI* • *I TELL GOOD STORIES*
> > *filmmaker • DP • **chief storyteller • instructor*
> > * www.dayonemedia.ca <http://www.dayone-media.com/> *
> >
> >
> > On Fri, May 13, 2022 at 3:18 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Add a rooftop tent and you're good TO GO ....! ! ! :-)
> > >
> > > On Fri, May 13, 2022 at 2:13 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net
> >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > It's Friday, so OK to post something like this. I have owned VW
> vans
> > > > since 1974; current '85 is approaching 300,000 miles of fun. Has a
> > > recent
> > > > Subie 2.2 motor conversion, a new rebuild of transmission, and soon
> > will
> > > > have new front suspension and new brakes all around. So obviously, I
> > am
> > > > committed to this thing.
> > > >
> > > > Others have eyed my Vanagon with envy. My tintop parks nicely in
> > garage,
> > > > gets 22 MPG, I smile everytime I drive, especially when I see
> > reflection
> > > in
> > > > glass store front windows.
> > > >
> > > > So....Toyota Sienna. About a 2005-2008. Fits in garage. Has A/C
> that
> > > > works. Drivetrain is exactly like my daily driver, a 2004 Toyota
> > > > Highlander. V-6 motor. Robust. Parts and service are available
> > > > anywhere. Price on San Diego Craigslist is typically around $6000 to
> > > > $9000. Plentiful.
> > > >
> > > > My idea would be to strip back interior. Build my own bed and camper
> > > > interior. Screens on windows. House Battery in that deep space in
> the
> > > > back of Sienna. Butane stove. Ice chest. Custom curtains. All the
> > > usual
> > > > junk too. Totally doable. Great campervan for 2 people.
> > > >
> > > > Please don't hate me.....just thinking.
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
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