1992 Dodge W250 Cummins / VW Vanagon Abomination *MAY CAUSE BLINDNESS*

[utherjorge]

Ignore people as a rule, and you'll be happier. Isn't this why we are doing all of this....to get away?

Youtube is a cesspool

 

[Karmann Vandiego]

After another long bout with debilitating knee and hip pain, I have begun to dismantle the chassis even more to begin mocking up the new body.






The drivers side of the frame needed to be cleared of everything to make room for the body. The steering box will be moved into the 2wd position to make use of a crossover steering setup. I am currently researching springs, airbags, or a combo of both to upgrade the suspension.



Once the frame was more or less bare, I began inspecting where the steering box mounted for cracks. Unfortunately, I have some repairs to make and a brace to fabricate.



It appears this is a previous repair that was not properly executed, resulting in further cracking.

Joints permitting, tomorrow I will begin trimming the left half of the body, to mock it up to the frame.

 

[Karmann Vandiego]

After some trimming to the body, I was able to mock it up to the frame! I'm excited to see the first signs of my dream becoming reality!






I was also happy to see that everything more or less fits as I envisioned it. The motor should sit near level with the seat bottoms.





Planning for some more carnage tomorrow as I begin to fit the passenger side!

Stay funky, friends!

 

[nathane]

Love watching this. Are you planning on cleaning/rust proofing the chassis whilst you are there?

 

[Karmann Vandiego]

Love watching this. Are you planning on cleaning/rust proofing the chassis whilst you are there?

Indeed! Right now I am simply mocking up and fitting the body to the frame. Once I have an idea of where the body mounts need to be added, I will then prep and paint the frame with rust converter.

 

[AJM]

The side profile looks really nice.

Thanks for sharing your project with us all


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[Karmann Vandiego]

Second side mocked up. Both sides will move in and down by a couple inches, but you are basically looking at the abomination as it will eventually sit.

There is not much more to say, so here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

 

[nitro_rat]

What do you plan to do for a windshield? Asking for a friend...

 

[shirk]

It's like a diy VW LT 45 Doka 4x4. Rad project.

 

[Karmann Vandiego]

What do you plan to do for a windshield? Asking for a friend...

I plan for a 3 piece windshield. Ideally, I would like the center window to remain stationary while the outer windows open like safari windows similar to a split window vw bus.

 

[nitro_rat]

I've seen a Dodge Van conversion that was widened into a bus where they presumably shortened two windshields (cut the overlap out of the middle of both) and had a divider bar in the middle. Laced in with regular rubber gasket. Maybe food for thought...

 

[ITTOG]

Love this build. I would love to be close enough to lend a hand. Oh, and have the time.

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[BudgetEverything]

Oh man, this thing is heating up. And honestly, the 10” widening isn’t as off putting as I thought it would be, it doesn’t look too abnormal and I hope that you bond the two grilles together to make one, but I’m interested to see what’s in your head for that.

Maybe an emblem that says:

VV
WW


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[nitro_rat]

I would offset the grille and mount 3 headlights, 2 on the driver side...

 

[Karmann Vandiego]

The plan (I like using that word incorrectly) for the grill is to fill the extra space by way of quad headlights. This would be combining 2 grills to make the long version. Instead of joining 2 grills at the middle, I would add headlight blanks to the outsides of the factory grill.

Again, this is a bar napkin build. Everything is up to interpretation, and sometimes I cant read my own handwriting...