Screwing around with a Eurovan!

[Snowgeek135]

Fantastic..... You make me feel like an amateur. That is quite the project you have tackled!

P.s. now that the thing runs we are all waiting impatiently for this thing to go 4motion

 

[Overland Hadley]

Congrats!

Yes, great news.

 

[Cole]

Fantastic.....

P.s. now that the thing runs we are all waiting impatiently for this thing to go 4motion

I really wanted to accomplish that as part of all this work. I think the key to all of it is going to be a manual swap, or a manual swap with TDI.

The reality is that I REALLY wanted to get this thing running so that we could experience it a bit this summer. Then I could come back around to the 4wd project with the appropriate time and research.

 

[Snowgeek135]

I think that is more than fair .... You are going to love the easy camping factor with that little addition to your family. We have had our poptop for 6 months and have an 8 month old little girl. She has camped with us 3 times so far thanks largely to the van!!

 

[Cole]

:luxhello:

 

[canderso]

I had "guessed" at your earlier picture of the transmission dipstick because I currently own a 2002 Eurovan MV. I have had the Euro since new and it has served me very well. The family loves it for trips and we have gotten lots of use out of it. Today I went to a dealership and traded it in! . I ended up buying a Chevy Express 1500 AWD passenger van. The main reason, AWD. If my Euro had AWD, Syncro or the 4Motion I would keep on driving it. I tow a boat and need at least AWD for some of the ramps I use in the winter.

I looked into the cost of converting the van to a TDI, manual trans and Syncro. It can be done, but will require $$$$$$. I wasn't willing to shell out more for the conversion than I paid for the van new. The other problem was the People's Republic of NJ doesn't allow the conversion. Something to deal with emissions standards and such. I think I woud have to re-title the van as rebuilt or homebuilt. I didn't get too far down the road of thinking about it based in price alone.

 

[Stroverlander]

Nice work Cole! :roost:

 

[Cole]

I had "guessed" at your earlier picture of the transmission dipstick because I currently own a 2002 Eurovan MV. I have had the Euro since new and it has served me very well. The family loves it for trips and we have gotten lots of use out of it. Today I went to a dealership and traded it in! . I ended up buying a Chevy Express 1500 AWD passenger van. The main reason, AWD. If my Euro had AWD, Syncro or the 4Motion I would keep on driving it. I tow a boat and need at least AWD for some of the ramps I use in the winter.

I looked into the cost of converting the van to a TDI, manual trans and Syncro. It can be done, but will require $$$$$$. I wasn't willing to shell out more for the conversion than I paid for the van new. The other problem was the People's Republic of NJ doesn't allow the conversion. Something to deal with emissions standards and such. I think I woud have to re-title the van as rebuilt or homebuilt. I didn't get too far down the road of thinking about it based in price alone.

I totally understand!

If I didn't have 3 other AWD vehicles and 2 other real tow rigs I probably wouldn't have messed around with the Eurovan and gone to something like the Safari AWD. (And if my wife wasn't such a Euro freak when it comes to cars:coffeedrink


Well, I got distracted and did lower ball joints while I was in there today. But I did finally put it all together and take a drive. Runs SMOOTH. Gotta love the smell of assembly lube in a new engine!

Only drove for about a mile and only up to about 45 just to make sure it all worked. (And it was starting to rain)

Now it needs a bath and the fun parts can begin!

 

[225]

Hell Yea!!

 

[Toolman]

that thing is sweet. Makes me want to buy one sooner that I originally planned. (Which was never)

 

[Cole]

No crazy updates yet. Just trying to put a few miles on it. Have just over 60 miles on it around town in shot trips. Everything seems fine.

Changed the oil filter. Will change the oil in the next couple hundred miles.

It's been nice to haul the family and dogs around in the van. Can't wait to get started on camperizing it more and doing some exploring.

 

[Cole]

I'd like some of your thoughts on this.

Part of my plan is to upgrade many of the interior materials. I've been thinking of using a Porsche or Audi Sport steering wheel for awhile now.

One of my friends just upgraded his Porsche 993 steering wheel to a newer 3 spoke version and has his stock leather 4 spoke available, for purchase.

It's almost an exact replacement for the stock wheel. Significant upgraded feel with the leather, but only a small, stockish upgrade in the looks.

What do you think? Too close to the stock look? Better to do something more obviously upgraded?

 

[225]

DO IT!

 

[Toolman]

DO IT!

X2
I was thinking the same exact thing. I had a 911 steering wheel on my 64' Bug

 

[njtacoma]

x3 if it is more comfortable.

You might find something "cooler" but less comfortable and that would be a bummer.