New Parts & Improvements
When you feel the need to get away...
You really can't improve much on a VW Westfalia, but after 15+ years restoring one to it's original glory
and beyond can be a wallet consuming task.
I've learned a lot in the process of my changes. I strongly recommend the following changes for all similarly equipped vanagons:
the wheels and tires (for safety), the big bumpers (for a feeling of safety), the window curtains (for campers). My
original engine was plagued with problems, complicated by the failure of VW dealership service technicians, since swapping
to the Tiico engine the van spends much more time on the road and I spend less time bumming rides to and from work.
Major Additions:
- Propex Propane heater, HS2000, from Van Cafe (2007) (still have to get the propane line hooked up)
- Tiico 2.0 liter 135hp engine (2006)
- 3 gauge panel (tach, oil pressure,volt) (2006)
- rebuilt 4 speed transmission (2006)
- Big brake kit from Van Cafe (2006)
- big bumpers from Van Cafe. (2005) (I love the way these bumpers are made they're solid and nice looking, but they were powder coated for the paint job and the rear one flaked incredibly at the first little nick and rusted terribly)
- Oversized spare tire holder (replaces stock spare pan) and 5th alloy w/ tire (2004)
- South African alloy wheels and reinforced tires (see for details) (2004)
Seperately they're small but together they make all the difference:
- New battery to starter cable (2005)
- New starting battery: Interstate, Model MT41, 650CCA, 11.50x6.88x6.63 (2006)
- Hi-torque starter from Go Westy (2006)
- Auxillary battery kit, with relay to keep circuits separate (2007)
- Battery charger 110 to 12vDC for house battery. (2002)
- New aux battery: Odyssey, Model PC1200, 550CCA, 7.87x6.66x6.80, 44AH (2007)
- 8 position auxillary fuse panel from J.C. Whitney (2007)
- three window canvas top (see the whole story) (1998)
- Fiamma bike rack (1999)
- roof rack (rails and bars) (installation was much easier than the canvas) (1999)
- canvas bag for luggage rack (1999)
- side door tent (big, we'll probably only use this occasionally)
- carpet mats (to protect the kind of worn carpets)(These fit great!) (1998)
Minor Features/Additions:
- Smoke/Carbon Monoxide detector (2007)
- Propane Detector
- Headlight relay kit, 8 gauge wire, and power distribution block (2007)
- Fog/Road lights (2005)
- front shocks (2004)
- some panels have been soundproofed, undercoated, and insulated (I'm working on it) (2003)
- Fabric luggage compartment cover for the wayback (it's grey, so it doesn't match the color scheme) (2003)
- Power inverter 12vDC to 110, not wired in yet. (2003)
- dual fridge thermometers, not yet mounted (one for the cooling fins, one for the rest) (2002)
- internal fridge fan, with dashboard switch (2002)
- dash console with cup holders, map table, and space for aftermarket switches (2002)
- solar battery charger for starter battery (can you tell I don't like dead batteries) (2002)
- front window curtain (1999)
- sliding door curtain (1999)
- Viper alarm system (1998)
- 2 new sidewindow screens (1998)
- front table w/leg (1998)
- back table (1998)
- removable face CD player (1998)
Repairs, partial list:
- new rear heater core and valve (2008)
- emergency brake cable (2005)
lots of engine bits (water pump, fuel pump, belts, plugs, wires, etc.) (replaced the engine)
- Did some things I shouldn't admit to.
new vacuum hoses all around (2004) (on the old engine)
two new fuel injectors, new ICU, intake elbow boot (2004) (on the old engine)
- new window seals for the driver and passenger door. (2003)
- Removed parts of an aftermarket cruise control and old alarm system (2003)
- Complete exhaust system over the course of two years (2002-2003)
- complete set of gas tank seals and lines (2002)
- new sink trap (2002)
- 110 electric hookup (twice, the first one broke after 3 uses... ) (2000)
- skylight control cover (the old one was yellowed and cracked) (1998)
rear bumper pad (1998) (now the bumpers have been replaced)
front bumper pad (1998) (now the bumpers have been replaced)
- locking gas cap (didn't have the keys for the other, very inconvient) (1998)
- fresh water intake cap (didn't have the keys for that either) (1998)
Things that I have on order:
Still To do:
- roof luggage carrier (this will take a trip to a Yakima dealer) (not sure what model will fit)
- interior needs new apholstery, carpet, and side panels
- syncro.org style springs (I have these, just not installed)
- rear shocks (I have these, just not installed)
- heavy duty clutch (the stock clutch just doesn't like all that power)
- grey water tank (I have it, just not installed)
Stuff I'm still considering:
- a 5 speed transmission
- power steering (then I can reconnect my air conditioning)