Vw Vanagon to Westy?

[BIGdaddy]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40123

Here's an install of a hightop on a syncro vanagon.

Man, the more I think about this idea, the more I like it..haha!

 

[BIGdaddy]

Wandr did that conversion recently:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40123

hehe...oops..didn't see your post. I just posted the same thing.

:smilies27

 

[WillardsWesty]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40123

Here's an install of a hightop on a syncro vanagon.

Man, the more I think about this idea, the more I like it..haha!

Do it! :sombrero:

I have a pop top but there are a lot of times I wish I had the high top. More storage options when driving, better stealth camping, and I don't think they get any worse mileage than a westy. Plus I've always wanted to install a 30" flat screen on the bulk-head of the high top for playing xbox when traveling

Parking garages and cross winds are the downside

 

[Christian P.]

There is a westy syncro on ebay right now... Doesn't look all that bad for the year. Only 114k miles

That would be the one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986..._Cars_Trucks&hash=item19c295c90c#ht_544wt_948

 

[max adams]

Older air cooled westy's are made using the factory sunroof hole. I had a 71 with a factory sunroof that I put the interior of a 74 into, I had the roof too but I loved that sunroof too much too give it up. Putting the interior into a passenger van was easy it used all the factory holes.

 

[Herbie]

If I can buy "more" van, as in something newer, in better condition if it's a plain jane vanagon, would I be daft to do that and THEN source all the weekender or westy bits that I want?

Similar to what T.low and Herbie did with their astro vans?

The implementation details of Westy->VW transplant will be very different from my GTRV transplant, but some of the "macro level" problems are the same. If you want to see more of my van up-close and talk about living with it mid-conversion for a longish-period of time, drop me a PM and we can get the kids and wives together while we talk shop.

 

[BIGdaddy]

The implementation details of Westy->VW transplant will be very different from my GTRV transplant, but some of the "macro level" problems are the same. If you want to see more of my van up-close and talk about living with it mid-conversion for a longish-period of time, drop me a PM and we can get the kids and wives together while we talk shop.

that's a great idea, dude.

 

[Dave Bennett]

That would be the one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986..._Cars_Trucks&hash=item19c295c90c#ht_544wt_948

That looks like a good deal.

As for the high top idea Brian, that looks like a straight forward conversion and wouldnt look bad when done either. I like the stealth camping option

 

[Wandr]

I love my hightop conversion! It's the way to go. If you go to the classifieds on the samba you can find plenty of westy interiors. The instalation of the westy cabinets are fairly simple. I chose to eliminate the fridge/stove and sink, we never used them in the past anyways. In the future I plan on installing the 12V truck fridge. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[westyss]

I love my hightop conversion! It's the way to go. If you go to the classifieds on the samba you can find plenty of westy interiors. The instalation of the westy cabinets are fairly simple. I chose to eliminate the fridge/stove and sink, we never used them in the past anyways. In the future I plan on installing the 12V truck fridge. Feel free to ask any questions.

How do you find your high top on the highway in a cross wind?
I had a high top and vowed never to have a VW high top again just because of the cross wind problems, drifting into the oncoming lane is not fun, i tried rigid shocks and went to a strong side wall tire, which helped the most but it wasn't enough, even with a westy topped van they still get thrown around quite a bit in the wind.The good with a high top is the extra storage space and never having to pop the top. Just my .02cents, also go with a properly rated truck tire.

 

[BIGdaddy]

How do you find your high top on the highway in a cross wind?
I had a high top and vowed never to have a VW high top again just because of the cross wind problems, drifting into the oncoming lane is not fun, i tried rigid shocks and went to a strong side wall tire, which helped the most but it wasn't enough, even with a westy topped van they still get thrown around quite a bit in the wind.The good with a high top is the extra storage space and never having to pop the top. Just my .02cents, also go with a properly rated truck tire.

See, that's interesting, this is a sticking point for my wife too.

Her opinion is that a high top presents more problems than it solves, and is going to be somewhat of an issue with wind, parking structures, etc and would prefer to have a pop-top.

And my dad with the pimped out pop-top, asked that very question (how will it handle in the wind) because he too knows how much even a normal westy can get tossed around.

(his other car is a 525i, though, so quite a change in driving experiences between the two)

 

[LukeH]

Of course it's impossible to find the link when I look for it, but I'm convinced REIMO still do an entire T3 conversion kit, dunno what us customs say about it.
REIMO are pretty much the reference in Europe for van conversions, all their stuff is well thought out and apparently you never have to shave or adjust their panels to fit.
Of course, it won't be a Westy but that's a cultural decision that only you can make. Structurally I don't think you'd lose out.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Did all 1986 vanagon's come with the 2.1 "later" engine, or did some of them come with the "earlier" 1.9L?

thanks!

 

[westyss]

I believe 86 was the year of change to a larger engine, but I would STRONGLY recommend a different engine than stock, the stock engines are border line anemic, a 5500 lb van with 91 hp???? Lots of info on engine swaps, from fords to subaru to TDI's, and for a reason, not enough power!
Maybe the good side with keeping the original engine is most repairs can be done by more shops, most shops will not touch a VW with a different engine, but on that note, getting to know this vehicle will be in your best interest, and doing all or most repairs will be the only way to afford it, these are old cars and need constant attention, and if paying someone to do all the work you wont be going travelling. (I speak from experience ) Some thing I read some where and it worked for me, was to buy the newest and best condition van you can afford. Last year of the rear engine westies was 1991.

 

[Christian P.]

I believe 86 was the year of change to a larger engine, but I would STRONGLY recommend a different engine than stock, the stock engines are border line anemic, a 5500 lb van with 91 hp???? Lots of info on engine swaps, from fords to subaru to TDI's, and for a reason, not enough power!
Maybe the good side with keeping the original engine is most repairs can be done by more shops, most shops will not touch a VW with a different engine, but on that note, getting to know this vehicle will be in your best interest, and doing all or most repairs will be the only way to afford it, these are old cars and need constant attention, and if paying someone to do all the work you wont be going travelling. (I speak from experience ) Some thing I read some where and it worked for me, was to buy the newest and best condition van you can afford. Last year of the rear engine westies was 1991.

This is exactly why I strongly suggest buying a genuine Westfalia and putting your focus on engine maintenance/swap/upgrades rather than cutting holes in the roof and ending with a project half done like I saw so often.

Sorry to be direct but I have been around VW van for longer than I remember...and I have seen a lot of projects left unfinished.

If possible, I suggest to attend this event:

www.syncrofest.com