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Topics - Vanagonjr

Pages: 1 [2]
16
Event/Show/Campout news and reviews / Transporterfest 08
« on: October 16, 2008, 09:27:59 PM »
Well I finally made it to a VW event WITH my VW.  Weather was great and lot's of great vans and bugs, ghias, other VW's and even a Thing.

The oval window bugs with sunroofs were really something.  Tastefully lowered and with nice rims, but otherwise looking pretty original.  Really liked the chocolate brown one and the crowd did too - people's choice award.

Loved Karl Bower's bay window Westy with Safari rear window. Also a people's choice award.  Stan's bus won best Patina - I also voted for that one as well - what can I say, great minds think alike!

Was cringing cause my van was so dirty - oh well went sailing on a 1905 Herreshoff sailboat the day before - time well spent.

I did wash the van during the week - 1st time in 2 years - yeah, I was inspired.  

John
LiMBO
86 WWW (Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender

17
Vanagon concerns / Temperature creepin' up
« on: September 26, 2008, 11:00:57 PM »
86 Vanagon:  On the highway, the temp stays somewhat normal, about mid gauge.  Around town, the temp starts to creep up getting to 3/4 gauge and if I didn't get myself out of that situation, I'm afraid it could keep going.

I can hear the fan come on, can't say for sure if it's the 1st or 2nd stage. speed.

I have not done any trouble shooting yet, but any advice someone can give will be appreciated.

John

18
Modifications and Alterations / Syncro Trans in 2WD
« on: April 11, 2008, 09:56:31 PM »
Anyone on the list here with experience doing this?  It apparently has a different front mount, which I should (hope) have off the Syncro part's van.  Some say to change the front nose cone back to a 2WD one and use the original 2WD mounts.

Anyway, any input appreciated.  

John

19
Vanagon concerns / Need shop in VT
« on: January 25, 2008, 04:10:10 PM »
Anyone got any leads on good places to get a Vanagon or bus fixed in Vermont?

I know this is pretty vague - but a friend of a friend needs to get a "westfalia" fixed.  He was his daughter's who moved away.  The van didn't start, went to a repair shop. they said it needed  fuel pump, but a new one in and still no go.

I don't know any more than that and knowing, somewhat, this guy, I don;t know if I ever will.  He want's my friend to tow-dolly the van home.  My friend rather see it get fixed so it can be driven so he doesn;t have to be involved.

Also - don't know where in Vermone it is, except near Burlington.

Any and all leads appreciated.  Someone is offereing 2k unseen as -is for the van - supposedly they wanted 3.5K, no idea if these prices make any sense.  
John

20
Bus Blog / VW plant in North Carolina
« on: January 24, 2008, 08:50:57 AM »
Released today from Automotive News

VW plans engine, transmission plants

North American plants will feed U.S. assembly operation


Rick Kranz
Automotive News
January 23, 2008 - 1:28 pm ET


 

 

DETROIT -- Volkswagen will have engine and transmission assembly plants in North America to support a new vehicle assembly plant the automaker is expected to build in North Carolina.

The assembly plant could be operational in 2010.

" We'll make an announcement within six months" about the location of the plant, Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Inc., told the Automotive News World Congress today. After that announcement, the first vehicles could appear in " a little bit more than three years," he said.

Jacoby said the engine and transmission plants do not have to be near the assembly plant, saying Mexico and Canada are options. But " if we don't localize the plants" in North America, he said, " we can't be competitive."

Generally speaking, an engine and transmission account for about one-third of a vehicle's cost.

Jacoby refused to confirm an Automotive News story that the automaker purchased or had an option to purchase land in Rocky Mount, N.C., east of Raleigh and Durham.

Said Jacoby: " There has been a lot of speculation on this front, including the silly rumor that I've been traveling the Carolina countryside with a bunch of Germans purchasing land. That is not true.

" We need to build the right vehicle, at the right price, in the right plant, within the right supplier corridor, at the right time. A decision on local production will come in six months."

The assembly strategy is part of VW's plan to sell 800,000 vehicles annually in the United States by 2018. VW refers to its " Five Pillars" plan to reach that target. The five pillars refer to:

  -- Redesigned vehicles and a wider product line for the United States.

  -- A new advertising campaign to reposition the brand.

  -- Improving the dealer network.

  -- Streamlining the VW organization.

  -- Evaluating U.S. production.

In other comments, Jacoby said:

  -- " We need to offer a portfolio of technology," to meet U.S. fuel economy regulations. " It will include hybrids, electric vehicles. The main pillar will be diesel. It will be lighter vehicles and, of course, this country has to get used to smaller vehicles. They could be an alternative."

  -- It was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in the United States. " We are thinking of relaunching the Phaeton, which is difficult in this market. I think Volkswagen is so good at brands that we can offer models in the volume segment and also in the luxury segment. It is a state-of-the-art car, and I think this car will fit very well in this market."

  -- The VW brand has a sufficient number of U.S. dealers to handle sales volume of 350,000 to 400,000 vehicles. When the brand reaches that total, additional dealers will be added. Last year, VW sold 230,572 vehicles. In the meantime, Jacoby said, VW is concentrating on improving and strengthening the quality of its dealer network.

  -- The Chrysler-engineered VW minivan will debut at the Chicago Auto Show.

  -- Although VW once sold a pickup in the United States, a pickup will not be needed to reach VW's 800,000-unit U.S. target.

21
Vanagon concerns / Roof Rack
« on: December 01, 2007, 08:27:24 PM »
I'd like to hear what people think is the best route for a Vanagon roof rack - to carry kayaks and canoe.

On my old van, it had the fake rain butter brackets bolted through the pop-top.  That worked, but I'd really like a rear rack at the very back of the van for easy loading.  Also, I'm not sure I want to go this route with the new van for two reasons.

Even with just the weight of the cross bars, it made it noticeably harder to raise the pop-top.  And I'm afraid of stress cracks over time.

Right now I'm using a trailer.  I've seen the Gary Lee racks which puts weight on the gutter, but can life with the pop-top.  It's pretty cool, only  pricey for bare bars and I like my bars to go beyond the vertical support for east tying down of loads, vs the radius end on the Gary Lee bars.

John
86 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender

22
Vanagon concerns / Cooling System
« on: March 09, 2007, 08:52:48 AM »
:?: Can anyone indicate the hoses most likely to fail on a Vanagon?



While I recently bought a complete hose kit, I really need to use the van so the SO won't think the van is a total waste, so I just want to do what is necessary/prudent to get the van going again (If I had a agarage, it would be different).



I'm going to be replacing the leaking rear heater core, all the heater hoses and while I'm at it, I'll replace the thermostat and a couple of the temp sensors.  I'm thinking of new plastic "T" pieces that lead the hoses to the rear heater core - are those prone to failure?  



 :?: However, what else should I address / inspect while the I'm doing this?



I appreciate all replies.



John

86 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender

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