Pics of your VAN! Post up!

[vwhammer]

Bruce Vanner!

Well its Friday and I am sitting at home having a beer or two... or three.... Maybe more?

Anyway I thought I might as well show my new ride.
Maybe I missed a more suitable location for introductions but, given my new purchase, I figured this would do.
I bailed on my problematic 99 Discovery and picked a slightly less problematic 85 seven passenger VW Vanagon.
My wife has affectionately dubbed it Bruce Vanner. (incredible hulk reference)
Given my plans for transformation from milquetoast to monster that's what I am rolling with; hence the post title.

It's not much to look at in its current condition but like most people on the forums I have some serious plans.
These plans start out small with some simple repairs to make it reliable so I can start using it for some trips.
After some more research and some design work it will eventually end up with a 4wd system of my own design as well as a few select upgrades.
I will save the details of the transformation for another thread so without further ado here is my pile of style.



Its not in terrible shape: Its running and drivable and only has 81,000 miles.

More to come...

 

[PaulJensen]

I like the shower pan / mortar mix pan...

 

[k9lestat]

what happened to the picts

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

I too joined the frey of 1985 2wd Vanagon Tin Tops recently! I wanted one of these things since high school (got impatient and ended up with a bug instead) and its an itch that just wouldn't go away so I figured why not now? I found a pretty clean van with working a/c and a diesel conversion in California. I flew out with the new pup, met up with Suntinez and the Adventure Duo, and drove it home with some stops along the way. Overall its a pretty solid van, needs new brakes and a few maintenance item, but so far I'm very happy with it. I'm averaging 26mpg, and on my return trip from Buses By the Bridge last weekend I got 30mpg. We are still getting to know each other, but it should be a long and happy relationship!

 

[ihatemybike]

Nice lookin tin top! Keeping it stock?

I follow the blog of a guy who has spent the past year-ish modifying one for him to live in full time. Camper conversion, lots of solar, Ford Zetec engine, lift, bed liner paint job.
www.tosimplify.net

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Thanks! The photos make it look better than it is...a few dings that need repaired and its in need of new paint on the roof and a few other spots, but overall good shape, no rust except on the dings.

If you mean stock as in turning it into a Westy or Weekender, then yes, I do plan on keeping it a plain old tin top passenger. I wanted a tin top specifically because I wanted the larger bed (2 of us and a dog) and didn't want to mess with all the systems and extra weight. But I'm in the midst of chasing an oil leak, a new suspension upgrade and a few other goodies to make it more comfortable. Will be installing a dual battery for a fridge that Suntinez has been so kind to let me borrow for a moment. My whole theory with going this route was "less is more" and I'm trying to get back to the minimalist roots I once had.

 

[freako]

My 2009 Chevy Express AWD



2009 Chevy Express AWD van with Stabilitrak. 130k miles. No rust and was maintained very nicely by previous owner. Like new. I painted the rims black satin. A great vehicle we use to pull our 17 foot travel trailer with.

 

[java]

Untitled by Java_230, on Flickr

 

[Butch1979]

View attachment 208215

cool looking ride. Any additional details?

 

[Oogs]

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[draaronr]

View attachment 209142

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

. Sweet ride

 

[Butch1979]

^^^^Cool shot. I like the angle.

 

[Van_on_the_Run]

Hey All! First post to Expedition Portal.

Before


After

 

[Accrete]

Welcome to the forum and looks like a nice adventure rig!
Cheers,
Thom

 

[bdog1]

Cool rig.


Sent by wing, prayer & ATT