My desire for a Vanagon

mtnbike28

mtnbike28

Adventurist
Founding Member
So snowed in, I have been searching the web and dreaming. I always come back to the Vanagon... I loved reading Drive Nacho Drive, in so many ways they would be perfect (A Syncro) for my lifestyle. In fact, I try to think of my Tacoma and Flippac as reliable Vanagon : P

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But every story of a Vanagon on a real trip, USA road trip or something more/longer, they require an engine replacement. A small sampling:

http://www.drivenachodrive.com/2015/01/the-cost-of-driving-around-the-world/

http://boingboing.net/2015/01/05/road-trip-gone-bad-not-quite.html

http://www.thehobosoul.com/blog/?p=738

Still not bad for a vehicle that is still gaining value each year.... but enough to keep me from owning one, I have learned (1962 Land Rover IIa 88 and 1974 FJ40) I am a gas and go guy when it comes to my vacations.

Just sharing my thoughts - still love the VW!
 
You know I love them too but I always think of that old saying "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with".

11 years with my Tacoma and the marriage is strong :lol
 
Thanks Andy, but I want the Westy. The slide open door and sit in my living room, etc. During my Nova Scotia trip, when we got to Meat Cove, it was pouring, I had the RTT on the trailer, no one wanted to get out of the truck. A Vanagon pulled in while we were sitting in the cab, we watched the driver: slide into the back, pop open the top, and start cooking....
 
mtnbike28 said:
Thanks Andy, but I want the Westy. The slide open door and sit in my living room, etc. During my Nova Scotia trip, when we got to Meat Cove, it was pouring, I had the RTT on the trailer, no one wanted to get out of the truck. A Vanagon pulled in while we were sitting in the cab, we watched the driver: slide into the back, pop open the top, and start cooking....
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Yeah, as I've pondered my "next gen" vehicle, the pass through option is high on the list. Unfortunately, vehicles with that come at a high price and are often a compromise in technical trail ability.
 
Right there with you, man. Right there with you. I grew up camping in a '72 Westy, and it affected my whole outlook on life. I too have strong desire for a Syncro Westy (make mine Subaru powered, please), but cost is a factor. I built my "reliable vw" on an Astro, and it's fun, but it certainly isn't the same. A Vanagon opens social doors - there's always a 'dub head in whatever town you're in who will lend you a hand and a wrench. Plus the aftermarket support is crazy amazing. Of course just about every rig on the road has better aftermarket support than me, the perils of a "unique" build.
 
Herbie, you are so right. There is such a huge VW social network, and every story I read talks about it. I have enjoyed your build and if my Taco was lost, I would seriously consider an Astro/Safari. But as I started with, when I finally get to go on trips, I don't want to worry about vehicle issues, that is why "unique" builds and motor transplants scare me off. If I am 800 miles from home, can I find someone willing to work on my truck if I can't fix it. I do like the idea, as close to stock as possible.
 
I'm still looking for that unobtainable vehicle that is big on the inside, yet small on the outside.
 
Dave said:
The folks at @viajeros4x4x4 have had a hell of a run with a Mitsubishi van, they are another option.
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I like that van, but again for me, parts availability in the US - I read their book and blog, as I recall, they have been stranded a time or two trying to get parts. I understand they are on a Round the World trip and that is different.... over several fireside chats, there is no perfect vehicle for me, each has a lot of pluses and some negatives.

This thread is really about my love for vans that are 30 years old, or never sold in the US, so a love that will never be fulfilled : (
 
Jay,

As someone who has spent the last few years putting a 1980 Vanagon Westfalia back on the road, my perspective:

Yes, one of the "weak" points on the Vanagons are the engines. The early vans like mine came with the same Type IV aircooled engine as the late bay-window buses. They are durable, but not exactly known for their longevity as they are worked hard in the van. The best thing one can do for the early aircooled vans is to put them back to as stock as possible, seal all the air leaks in the cooling tin, etc.

The later vans (1983.5-1991) have either the 1.9L waterboxer or the 2.1L waterboxer engine. These are actually phenomenally reliable engines for the long-haul. There are three main problems with them: 1. They suffer from poor head-gasket and water gasket sealing and corrosion problems. The factory never did a great job sealing them up and they suffered for it in the long-run. That being said, the current reputable engine builders will build a 150-200K motor easily. 2. The cooling system suffers from multiple problems due to the layout and the long distance between the engine and the radiator. Again, many of these issues have been fixed over time by the aftermarket. 3. Parts availability, especially on some of the Fuel Injection components is starting to suffer as the vans age. Some of the previously NLA parts have become available again either via the VW classics program, or by the community at large.
Once you have a reliable engine, etc the rest of the van is fairly easy and straighforward to maintain and doesn't tend to have problems that are especially worse than any other 30 year old car.

Honestly, the best solution is to perform an engine swap and replace the stock VW engine with one more suited to the modern environment. Most popular are the Suburu flat four engines, the Bostig (which is based on a Ford 4cylinder engine) and the VW 4cylinder TDI. They all have pro's and con's but will all definitely give a more modern drivable and powerful vehicle.

One additional thing to note is that the Syncros while very capable suffer from a rather fragile transmission which is VERY expensive to rebuild. Many people who have swapped more powerful engines into their Syncros have noted wear problems within the transmission.

A good place to go for more information and general bitching about Vanagons in specific is the TheSamba forums. The Vanagon forum can be found at: http://thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=20

My wife and I drove our van from LA to Louisiana and back last April, and will be attending OverLand Expo West this year and then spending a few days at the Grand Canyon. For our needs the van is perfect if slow.

--
Brian
 
Well, red is the color of your current rig. So how about this one.....

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I thought I had some photos of a green Synchro that belongs to a guy, John, that used to camp with the SEES group. I do understand the desire and attraction of vehicles just beyond our grasp. That Doka is on my list :)

-Andy
 
If you ever go aircooled I'll warn you that if you want to stay reliable keep the motor under 2000cc if it's Type 1 based and under 2200cc if it's Type 4 based and run the CB Performance fuel injection. I built a 2187cc with top line parts with dual Weber IDF44s and it's about as temperamental as a 4 year old red head.
 
With the cost of the Syncro and maintenance issues wouldn't a 4X Sprinter van be a better over all value?

I wished I could afford both a new Taco or 4 Runner and a new 4X Sprinter van for winter/ski camping.
 
Good idea, but you still lose the vibe of the VW ( I also feel the same way about the LR110 Dormobile)
 
I talked to Sportsmobile about the Sprinter 4x4 - they'll tell you it's "light duty" and to buy something else if you intend to travel anything more than fire roads. The Syncro is more capable IMO than the Sprinter but look what it's based on - Steyr-Puch's military "Pinzgauer" technology.
 
WUZombies said:
If you ever go aircooled I'll warn you that if you want to stay reliable keep the motor under 2000cc if it's Type 1 based and under 2200cc if it's Type 4 based and run the CB Performance fuel injection. I built a 2187cc with top line parts with dual Weber IDF44s and it's about as temperamental as a 4 year old red head.
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The sand guys in SoCal/Glamis run 2276cc VW's all day long, under somewhat brutal conditions.
 
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