Want to get a Westy.....need some help.

[wesel123]

So I've come to terms with the fact that to find something decent I need to spend at least 12K....

For reading these posts (thanks again) and reading I think I have a new problem. The Subaru motor swap really appeals to me and there are two Vanagons that are relatively local to me that I'm eying. One being a tin top Syncro with a Subie motor and a Full camper Westy with a Subie motor.

I really would like to get the syncro (I've ALWAYS wanted one) and add a pop top, is that hard to do???

The full camper Westy is nice but I'm not sure I'll use everything and just wish I had the seating capacity???

I'm thinking that a tin top Syncro with a Subie motor, pop top and a place to put my ARB fridge would be Ideal.

Poop I think I'm confusing my self more.....:yikes:

 

[slooowr6]

The material used in the full camper westy is really good quality and reasonably layout and equip . A westy can sit up to 5 people (there are 5 seat belts). One seat can be remove to have more floor space. If you plan to camp with the van westy is great. Maybe getting a syncro westy with subie, ^_^ That's going to cost you though. :sombrero:

 

[Fergie]

Don't worry about the confusion, it comes naturally.

Since you come from owning LCs and Prados, you know that buying facotry parts is expensive. Vanagons are no different, and while many will say that the cost of ownership, and parts cost is high, I've not found that to be the case after dealing with TLCs. Sure, they arent a Ford or Chevy, but there are lots of industrious Vanagon fanatics that have developed good solutions to the parts issue.

If you buy the Syncro, you will need to travel to Flagstaff to test it out, and I may steal you keys.

As far as camping goes, it is completely doable to make a Syncro into a camper. Lots have done it, and it is exponentially easier than going from a 2wd to a syncro. You may be surprised at what all is possible with a z-bed and curtain set. Get yourself an awning for the side, with a room enclosure, and you'd be set.

The Westy fits four easily. Those that fit five people in it don't have to deal with two car seats, have a jump seat, or let some sit on the floor. That baby girl(not really a baby anymore) of your's will love the Vanagon...trust me Analee does.

On the ARB fridge, that is what I do. I pulled my Dometic for the extra cabinet space and run the Engel in there.

One thing to check on the Syncro is the seats. The Westy will have swivel seats up front, the syncro may not. These can be swapped out; I don't know if it is a bolt in, or weld in operation, but again, very doable.

Hope that help. PM or call if you wanna talk it out ad nauseum.

So I've come to terms with the fact that to find something decent I need to spend at least 12K....

For reading these posts (thanks again) and reading I think I have a new problem. The Subaru motor swap really appeals to me and there are two Vanagons that are relatively local to me that I'm eying. One being a tin top Syncro with a Subie motor and a Full camper Westy with a Subie motor.

I really would like to get the syncro (I've ALWAYS wanted one) and add a pop top, is that hard to do???

The full camper Westy is nice but I'm not sure I'll use everything and just wish I had the seating capacity???

I'm thinking that a tin top Syncro with a Subie motor, pop top and a place to put my ARB fridge would be Ideal.

Poop I think I'm confusing my self more.....:yikes:

 

[SWbySWesty]

All the info here has been great and spot on. Get a 2.1L water cooled. I've had zero issues with mine and just keep on top of maintenance (like any vehicle). They are underpowered, but they'll get you there in style! I get 20mpg on the highway sticking to 60-65 even with my moto on the back. But hill grades are the enemy - 45mph in 3rd gear over the grapevine or on the way up to Big Bear.
You'll use all the equipment in the Westy if you're a normal person. Except maybe the closet. I think I use it for storage more now and it's easier to have a pack in the back to grab quickly. There are tons of mods. Spend time on Samba reading the "best mods" and FAQ's.

 

[coguzzi]

I have nothing against the 2wd vanagons, but for me i always felt like if i was gonna deal with the idiosyncrasies of owning a vanagon i was going whole hog and having a syncro to make the headaches worthwhile. and i live in the rockies and all me vehicles are AWD or 4WD. hell--i even have a 2wd URAL side car motorbike. i did have a 66 split window bus though--i took that sucker alot of places

so of the 5 syncros i have personally owned, 4 were tin tops and i did love them definately better for "wheelin" but my last syncro was a tin top converted to "weekender" poptop. basically just a pop top and minimal interior. I am of the school that the full westies have way to much junk inside and take up to much place. with my "weekender" style interior i have a full queen bed down low, top was mostly used for storage when camped and for the head room.

i dont know if i would have a tin top again, id probably convert it to pop top right away, i even added a CCV top to my new econoline E350. all i put inside that was a small cabinet houseing a truck fridge and a propex furnace, i can slide to motos inside with ease and sleep up top. im a minimalist when it comes to what i want taking up space

my vote is look at the tin top syncro with subi. and i do recommend the subi which in CA is probably a 2.2 (you poor CA people get screwed) and add a pop top if you desire. there are places to do it for you--roughly $6k i think but not to hard to do

 

[Heading Out]

I've had two full Westies, If I where to get another Vanagon, I'd go for the Weekender, or a std. bus and add the Pop top, and a mix of some weekender and some full camper stuff.

You have to decide what is important to YOU,

The pop top is really nice for the headroom, being able to stand upright in the van when changing and added storage/ extra bed when parked. plus the added volume inside the van with the top up is a good feeling.

A pop top can be added, lots of people have done it, keep in mind The factory Westie has a roof with added reinforcement, that is unique to them.

The Fridge is not that useful, I always used it, and an additional cooler. Having the stove and sink is nice, although I still cooked/BBQed outside most of the time. I could get along without them.

also, as has been stated, the full camper has a smaller bed below, not a big deal if you are solo, but tight if you sleep with your S.O.

The swivel front Chairs are a weld in deal, but it is easy to do.

2wd or syncro with a custom mix of the camper/weekender top and equipment added could be built to exactly fit your needs.

The syncro rear diff lock can be added to the 2wd trans from what I understand as another option, to farther confuse you.
the question is how much offroading will you really be doing? The 2wd will go alot farther than you think.

keep us posted on what you choose!

 

[otiswesty]

Ya get a Westy sleeps 4 easy, 5 no problem if one is small. I added a bus hammock over the front seats. Maintenance is reasonable. If you want aircooled, get a 76-79 bus Westfalia, the Vanagon is way heavier and the valve seats drop out even more often, no coolant leaks though. The fit and finish quality of Westfalia is exceptional. I just got back from a week in Baja, needed 4wd about 5% of the time and only by choice.

 

[wesel123]

To answer your question Heading Out, I have a kitted out 100 Series for really back country stuff. I'm not 100% sure I really need a Syncro....I think its more of a "I've always wanted on" type of thing. I like knowing its there if I need it.

Im really leaning towards a tin top Subie conversion mainly because we share the same idea, kit it out the way I REALLY need it and keep it simple. My only real requirements are adding a pop top and some sort of system of heat....ala Mr Buddy,...or something of that nature.

Cost is also a huge issue, if I have what Syncro-Westy's are getting these days I'd honestly just get another Sportsmobile.

 

[coguzzi]

best way to add a pop top is get donor westy, drill all the spot welds at the gutters on both vevicles and make the swap, you get the real westy structural roof that way. many ways to do the swap--this is arguably the best and well documented over on thesamba.com.

i like the propex furnaces. my current "build your own sportsmobile" ONLY has a fridge and a propex in a cabinet with minimal shelving. my last syncro had a sink with was used more to keep stuff secure when i was driving, i never did run water through it--so it was a waste for me (other than it was really nice to put stuff in).

 

[Heading Out]

To answer your question Heading Out, I have a kitted out 100 Series for really back country stuff. I'm not 100% sure I really need a Syncro....I think its more of a "I've always wanted on" type of thing. I like knowing its there if I need it.

I think you have an answer then, start with a tin top syncro and make it your own. with the price of syncro's (any syncro, camper or not) going
up every day, if you decide you really don't need the 4WD, you can always get your money back out and start over with a 2wd.

and I've always wanted one too... when we bought the 90 Westie, there was a syncro version in the show room and I always had it in the
back of my mind that maybe I should have bought it instead. I think it was about 5k more. and I agree, now for the money,
I'd go sportsmobile too.

I agree with the above post, if you add the Pop top, swap the whole roof.

 

[wesel123]

So the fiance and I decided to take the next logical step. We are renting an 86 Westy this weekend for a few days. Its a stock 2.1 so this will be a good test with our little girl (6) and 2 90lbs dogs.

We shall see. Doesn't mean I'm not still looking:victory: at what there is out there......

 

[Fergie]

So how did the rental trip turn out?

 

[wesel123]

Well if we get one it'll for sure have a subie motor!!!!!! But over all it was kinda fun, my little one and her friends thought it was a jungle gym!!!

 

[suntinez]

I don't know much about these vans, but there is a place nearby that does - mostly they do consignment sales.

It's Pop Top Heaven in Yucaipa, fun place to wander about. Keep an eye on the "other great campers" section of their site, they sometimes have really interesting things come in. I just noticed they seem to have stopped posting prices online, that's annoying.

Not sure I've ever seen it mentioned here, so thought I'd pass it along.