VW Westfalia advice.
- Thread starter stclair
- Start date
Icebox
Observer
Here you go. And it's cheap. And relatively close. Take it to a GOOD DIESEL mechanic first (many are mobile) to diagnose the "runs hot" issue as that may mean a new/rebuilt motor. pretty stealth for the 3rd world though. Could tow the Jeep too.
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1245391405.html
84-91 6.9-7.3 IDI Diesels were and are the simplest of the bunch much like your analogy of type 1 vs. type 4 VW. But beware--- coolant cavitation ---
preventable but common. Only fix is to sleeve the block. Coolant in the oil is a tell tale sign.
Good Luck.
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1245391405.html
84-91 6.9-7.3 IDI Diesels were and are the simplest of the bunch much like your analogy of type 1 vs. type 4 VW. But beware--- coolant cavitation ---
preventable but common. Only fix is to sleeve the block. Coolant in the oil is a tell tale sign.
Good Luck.
Mighty Dodge Ram
Explorer
I also owned a '69 and '70 Westphalia. Contrary to some of the other experiences listed, I loved both of them. Equipted with snow tires, I drove all over Alberta/BC in the middle of winter, including very steep fire roads in 2nd gear, without problems. I inched my way down and up narrow trails to access beaches. The secret...slow and methodical. They have remarkably good ground clearance with little to hang up, and with the mounting of better tires (today's Geolanders?) can get you into some of the same places my Dodge 4x4 can.
The later models had more modern camping gear, but by using the same cabinetry (well built, by the way), one could easily modernize an earlier Westy. The best feature was by far the ability to pass through from the front seat, stand up under the pop top, and then pull the seat out into its very comfy bed configuartion. And the jalouise (sp?) windows are still very cool.
Would I go back to one after owning a more powerful truck with 4x4? Probably not. I would look at a Sportsmobile first. But if you're OK with the limitations of the VW, it just might work for you. Cheers :beer:
The later models had more modern camping gear, but by using the same cabinetry (well built, by the way), one could easily modernize an earlier Westy. The best feature was by far the ability to pass through from the front seat, stand up under the pop top, and then pull the seat out into its very comfy bed configuartion. And the jalouise (sp?) windows are still very cool.
Would I go back to one after owning a more powerful truck with 4x4? Probably not. I would look at a Sportsmobile first. But if you're OK with the limitations of the VW, it just might work for you. Cheers :beer:
chrslefty
Observer
if i could give some food for thought if its not to late.
Ive owned a couple of VWvans .the one i liked the most was defiantly the 76westy pop up.on that same note i was happy the day i got ride of it .here's the thing . if ur a tall person any kind of set time is gonna be a act of pain . leg room was defiantly a limiting factor on a long trip .think of someone driving hot nails into the top of your knees . lots of fun .and driving in a cross wind was interesting to say the lest . one of the few vehicle the you can have the steering wheel turned 1/2 way to one side and still be going in a straight line :wings: . other wise it was great for camping and the f/i 2.0 was great on gas . didn't have to adjust the a/f in the mountains and would do 70 all day long in the flats .
on that same note my buddys 80 something westy was awesome when it ran ,lol it had the diesel . but the lay out was great and the driving position was way better . the seat could recline and it was more car like .
if i was gonna get another id defiantly get on from the late 80'sicro style and put a subie motor in it and have a blast .
Ive owned a couple of VWvans .the one i liked the most was defiantly the 76westy pop up.on that same note i was happy the day i got ride of it .here's the thing . if ur a tall person any kind of set time is gonna be a act of pain . leg room was defiantly a limiting factor on a long trip .think of someone driving hot nails into the top of your knees . lots of fun .and driving in a cross wind was interesting to say the lest . one of the few vehicle the you can have the steering wheel turned 1/2 way to one side and still be going in a straight line :wings: . other wise it was great for camping and the f/i 2.0 was great on gas . didn't have to adjust the a/f in the mountains and would do 70 all day long in the flats .
on that same note my buddys 80 something westy was awesome when it ran ,lol it had the diesel . but the lay out was great and the driving position was way better . the seat could recline and it was more car like .
if i was gonna get another id defiantly get on from the late 80'sicro style and put a subie motor in it and have a blast .
jammyauto
Adventurer
If you want something that is simple, has parts availability almost everywhere and is very reliable I'd suggest building a turbo diesel vanagon. Not a TDI just regular TD. TDI is great but parts are hard to get outside the USA. I've owned somewhere around 100 VW busses in the last 20 years and driven probably a million miles in them. I've driven my stock 1960 single cab across country at 55mph 4 times and around 20 other trips that were coast to coast in VW buses. I've changed clutches in rest areas before. I would not buy any van that 1972 to 1985 unless it had a different engine from stock.
BTW I love my '05 Ford diesel SMB but it has left me on the side of the road 3 times in the first 15k miles and once was in mexico. I'm very nervous about taking it to mex because if it breaks down there is almost nobody there who has the proper skills or tools let alone parts to work on this van. I travel with a pretty comprehensive tool set and spares as well as being a full time professional mechanic (not a deisel mechanic however).
I own both and I can tell you that there is no clear winner in the Ford vs. VW debate. It's as simple as that. They both have thier positives and negatives.
I'm leaving a week from today to drive from souther CA to Vermont via Yellowstone and then southern Canada. I'm taking the SMB due to the so much better than the VW air conditioning!
BTW I love my '05 Ford diesel SMB but it has left me on the side of the road 3 times in the first 15k miles and once was in mexico. I'm very nervous about taking it to mex because if it breaks down there is almost nobody there who has the proper skills or tools let alone parts to work on this van. I travel with a pretty comprehensive tool set and spares as well as being a full time professional mechanic (not a deisel mechanic however).
I own both and I can tell you that there is no clear winner in the Ford vs. VW debate. It's as simple as that. They both have thier positives and negatives.
I'm leaving a week from today to drive from souther CA to Vermont via Yellowstone and then southern Canada. I'm taking the SMB due to the so much better than the VW air conditioning!
Antichrist
Expedition Leader
I had a '73 (this was during the 2 years of the past 35 when a Land Rover wasn't my daily driver). I was working on it shortly before I got rid of it, replacing the right rear tail light. The reatining screw nuts were recessed in the plastic housing to keep from rotating. Of course it didn't work, and in the course of trying to wedge something in to hold one, my hand slipped and I ripped open my finger. Because of the built up frustration with the vechicle over the past two years, I took a ballpeen hammer to it and did $350 worth of body damage to the rear corner. I felt great, and really stupid at the same time.
When it was running, it was great fun to drive.
When it was running, it was great fun to drive.
stclair
Adventurer
Thanks for the advice man. It's so funny, I felt the same way about my Land Rover. When it was running, sooo nice. However, it was rarely running well. The day I sold it I felt such relief. Anyway, I hope I'm not asking for trouble and a repeat performance if I purchase a VW camper. Not using the Land Rover as it was meant to be was very disappointing. Too bad there aren't more camper van options(affordable to us). It just seems to be the best fit for our needs. If only Jeep made one. I have never been disappointed with any of the Jeeps I've owned.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
My dad has one, and really likes it, but its a toy vehicle and not very reliable. Very cool cars, though. His is maintained by GoWesty, so maybe its a problem with that specific dealers quality of work.
I wouldn't want to have a car like that again, something that is needing so much work, to simply operate as intended...lol. What If your refridgerator was needing work every weekend to keep it running? would you sell it or simply go to Lowe's and get another one? I'd sell whatever I needed to, to raise money to buy a fridge that worked all day/every day. Same with vehicles, I have no respect for a vehicle that has to be maintained so much. Toss 'em...lol.
They have an excellent following, though. And I hear the subaru conversions turn out a VERY nice compromise of performance and reliability. I'd be very interested in a DOKA, subaru powered, synchro-camper.
I haven't read all the posts, but I grew up camping across the western states in an '81, and would discourage anyone without a love of those old things or without considerable patience and mechanical aptitude from ownership. Be good to yourself and get a well maintained Toyota.
Sleeping Dog
Adventurer
What's your budget? For relatively little money you could find a conversion van with modern conveniences like fuel injection, good headlights, a 70MPH capability...
Spence
I need to agree with Spence. As much as I love Westies and I'm likely to someday surrender to the siren call of one, there are lots of Ford/Chev/Dodge conversion vans and Class B motorhomes that will be cheaper to buy initially and will be more dependable down the road.
Now if I was looking for a Westie, I'd strongly think about one that didn't have the waterboxer, meaning a Z-tek, Jetta, Subaru or VW/Audi diesel conversion. Recognizing of course a conversion has its own list of potential problems.
Jim
SC-Surfer
Observer
I've watched this thread for a little while and finally had to jump in in defense of the Vanagon. Having had a '69 westy, a '79 7 passenger, and now an '89 syncro westy, I have to say I am more than happy with it. It has been extremely reliable, drives well, and will go almost anywhere. I'm sure there are plenty of vans out there that are worthless, but then again, most 20 year old cars are. However, a well maintained and cared for westy can be a pleasure to own. They are well designed and built, very comfortable for their size, and there is nothing else quite like them on the road.
They have a short wheelbase, amazing ground clearance for a van, and will fit in some tight places.
There's nothing like pulling in to camp after dark, popping up the top, making dinner, and crawling into bed without ever going outside.
As for repairs and mechanical issues, they are like any other vehicle. How many CJ or Rover owners out there still drive a STOCK vehicle 20+ years old? Most if not all of the reliability issues and mechanical failures can be avoided with good service and maintenance (like every other vehicle). It can be difficult to find a mechanic who really knows the Vanagon, but they are priceless. Most general mechanics will be able to provide basic service and keep you on the road, but the good ones can make the difference between loving and hating your Vanagon. I think the Vanagon often gets a bad rap because many owners either don't really care or don't understand the value of quality service. Who would take their Rover to the guy down the street who works on American cars all day?
The only hard part is finding one that has been well cared for. They are out there but it takes some patience and is well worth the wait. My only regret is not buying my Syncro 20 years ago.
Ok...I'll get off my soapbox now...
They have a short wheelbase, amazing ground clearance for a van, and will fit in some tight places.
There's nothing like pulling in to camp after dark, popping up the top, making dinner, and crawling into bed without ever going outside.
As for repairs and mechanical issues, they are like any other vehicle. How many CJ or Rover owners out there still drive a STOCK vehicle 20+ years old? Most if not all of the reliability issues and mechanical failures can be avoided with good service and maintenance (like every other vehicle). It can be difficult to find a mechanic who really knows the Vanagon, but they are priceless. Most general mechanics will be able to provide basic service and keep you on the road, but the good ones can make the difference between loving and hating your Vanagon. I think the Vanagon often gets a bad rap because many owners either don't really care or don't understand the value of quality service. Who would take their Rover to the guy down the street who works on American cars all day?
The only hard part is finding one that has been well cared for. They are out there but it takes some patience and is well worth the wait. My only regret is not buying my Syncro 20 years ago.
Ok...I'll get off my soapbox now...
T.Low
Expedition Leader
I find it humerous that roadside repair-ability is a selling point, being that I probably would run out of fingers if I've counted the amount of times I've seen these things on the side of the road with the driver in the middle of one repair or another. How about buying a rig that doesn't require roadside repairs??
Spence
When I was strongly considering a Syncro Westfalia, my mechanic brother in law referred to them as Syncro Willfailyas. (he claims it was an original spontaneous term that he's not heard before, just inspired at that moment of reflection upon his Australia trip in a Kombi)
Astro vans are common in Mexico, and descrete. Astro campers, however, are rare, period, but can be found. Knock on wood, I've gotten 21,000 trouble free miles out of my '03. (Many of which were off pavement and more than a few were easy 4x4 trails.) Not a huge hike in price for AWD like you'll find with the Syncro.
My Astro van has been everything I hoped it would be. Thats the main thing.
Out of your two choices, I liked the Vanagon better.
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