- Location
- Never Far From Nowhere
I like it! Lets do it.
Volkswagen Vanagon T3 Westphalia
- Thread starter Stephen
- Start date
I like it! Lets do it.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I'll be getting a cot soon if I do much more tent camping. Mainly for the increased space in the tent.
redneckbronco
Active Member
- Location
- Provo
The last two times ive been to Moab ive seen a Red one running around town. Its pretty awesome.
- Location
- West Jordan
- Location
- Never Far From Nowhere
As with anything, depends on the condition. I've seen some in pretty good shape for under $5000. Personally, when the time comes, I will look for one with a solid body and complete camper equipment. The canvas can be bad, as I've seen replacements for that at a reasonable price. The engine will be swapped for a Subaru number, so thats not super important if it runs. Aside from that, I'm not sure. The research continues.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
- Location
- Never Far From Nowhere
The 510 was a basket case from the get go. It was an impulse buy. Body was more or less straight and mostly rust free, but the interior was completely shot and the thing hadn't been used for years. So nothing worked, period. What got me with that was analysis paralysis, lack of immediate funds and no one but the interwebs to turn to for help.
A Westphalia would be different, I feel. I'd be looking mainly for one that was clean, good interior and all the bits included. Preferably it would run, but if it didn't and everything else was there, that would be OK. The purchase of the vehicle would be contingent on having more than sufficient funds for the entire project (which may allow for just buying one with the swap already done, we'll see). Additionally, I know two people with Westphalia's who have done a Subaru swap before. Another guy who has one with a Ford motor swapped in and another friend who had a Vanagon for years. I've been chatting with all these guys about what to look for and what to do. And finally, the wife is behind this one. All those things are pluses over the 510.
I guess I'll just have to wait and see if this ends up being another mistake. But hopefully not.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
We owned two of these when I was a kid. The second one was a syncro. They were awesome little camping rigs, but the quality was bottom-notch. We took the things all over the country, including a trip through Maine and up into Quebec.
I remember them always being fixed at the dealership, and parts being very expensive. We had to wait for parts to be shipped from Germany more than once, and that was when they were still current models.
An econoline conversion would probably be better in every way. If you're set on a westfalia, converting everything mechanical to anything more reliable is probably the best plan.
I remember them always being fixed at the dealership, and parts being very expensive. We had to wait for parts to be shipped from Germany more than once, and that was when they were still current models.
An econoline conversion would probably be better in every way. If you're set on a westfalia, converting everything mechanical to anything more reliable is probably the best plan.
Didn't one those eject it's exhaust into a semi?
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Check out the blue one towards the bottom:
http://www.ujointoffroad.com/ujorbuilds.html
7.3L Ford Diesel. Decent MPG, tons of room, 4wd, 33's, and strong enough to tow. I could definitely see myself in a rig like that in a couple years. I'll bet that would handle beef basin and possibly elephant hill as well. What a cool way to get out and see the country. Dang it, now I'm getting ideas of building one... Darn you Stephen!
http://www.ujointoffroad.com/ujorbuilds.html
7.3L Ford Diesel. Decent MPG, tons of room, 4wd, 33's, and strong enough to tow. I could definitely see myself in a rig like that in a couple years. I'll bet that would handle beef basin and possibly elephant hill as well. What a cool way to get out and see the country. Dang it, now I'm getting ideas of building one... Darn you Stephen!
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- Location
- Smithfield Utah
Syncro is on the top of my wish list! Waaayyyyy too cool and functional. i can't believe there aren't more out there.
Did you guy's check out the latest Overland Journal? Big article on Westy's and Sycnros
Did you guy's check out the latest Overland Journal? Big article on Westy's and Sycnros
- Location
- Never Far From Nowhere
Syncro is on the top of my wish list! Waaayyyyy too cool and functional. i can't believe there aren't more out there.
Did you guy's check out the latest Overland Journal? Big article on Westy's and Sycnros
I didn't see that. I'll have to check that out.
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
I do remember one of them without an exhaust. Don't remember the circumstances though. The syncro system worked awesome. It was very capable, for what it was.
Maddoggie1
New Member
That's a pretty good deal, the conversion parts alone will cost near $2500, not even talking about the labor.
I'd bet he would take less.
If it's a 2.2l you can easily pick up another engine for $300 to $500, and fix the old one for a spare.
Also all the traction is in the rear, a locker would give you near the same abilities as a syncro.
BCGPER
Starting Another Thread
- Location
- Sunny Arizona
Just a hunch but, he's the Navin Johnson of the off road world, still searching for his "special purpose"?
These under powered love shack POS's are still popular? I did a lot of illegal things in the back of an old micro-bus, back in the day, but I thought hippies were all dead by now.
Seriously, go visit your parents and slap em for being stoners and passing the gene onto you... :brett:
These under powered love shack POS's are still popular? I did a lot of illegal things in the back of an old micro-bus, back in the day, but I thought hippies were all dead by now.
Seriously, go visit your parents and slap em for being stoners and passing the gene onto you... :brett:
- Location
- Never Far From Nowhere
Why are you an asshole? Intrinsic to our personalities I guess.
Not micro buses, Vanagons. Totally different era. Keep up with the class.
And my parents, for the record, complete opposite of hippies.