Not a Suby, but I got a new trail rig.....

IMG_8849.jpg


IMG_8865.jpg


IMG_8868.jpg


IMG_8869.jpg


IMG_8872.jpg



First things first I need to fix some rust in the cargo area floor. After that's all repaired I will be POR-15 ing the entire interior floor area and "undercoating" with truck bed liner.

IMG_8886.jpg


Anyway, this is a 1975 VW type 2 with a non pop top Westfalia conversion. It has a full width fold out bed, sink and ice box as well as a kitchen table :) As all the 70's tastic wood veneer is peeling off I will be removing it all and refinishing the Baltic birch underlayer on the cabinets and the headliner (wood headliner) The ugly green carpet is being replaced with wood flooring (probably going with cork). After all that is finished we need to make a big decision, to paint or not to paint. The exterior was spray painted by the previous owner, but after cleaning off some paint with oven cleaner (top tip #91938828) I found the OG white paint. As long as there is no bondo over the white paint I might just give it a good buffing and roll with the "patina" and rust that VW owners like soooooo much. If not we are thinking Arcadia green with Aspen white for the roof.

Wheels will remain stock, though they are getting General Grabber AT2's. A lift is possible in the future :lildevil:

-Ben
 
Please paint, I seriously don't know what possesses people to paint a car matte/satin black but great bus, I was just in Thailand and you see more there than here and some quite nice ones too, also many good beetles.
 
Nice bus! I think the tin top ones like yours are the best looking. Sold my van a couple of years ago, still miss the old girl.

Are you sticking with the aircooled engine? Love the sound of them... That said a mate of mine has a 1971 bus with a 2 litre turbo engine from an impreza- goes like stink!! In a straight line - 15 second quarter miles still with stock brakes for added fun.

Be good to see it with the grabbers fitted.
 
Nice bus! I think the tin top ones like yours are the best looking. Sold my van a couple of years ago, still miss the old girl.

Are you sticking with the aircooled engine? Love the sound of them... That said a mate of mine has a 1971 bus with a 2 litre turbo engine from an impreza- goes like stink!! In a straight line - 15 second quarter miles still with stock brakes for added fun.

Be good to see it with the grabbers fitted.

Staying air cooled (for now) I'm not a fan of the Brazilian water cooled front end, and mounting the radiator under the floor is wonky at best (then again there was a giant propane tank under there) If I go with a Subaru engine I will likely be using the side scoops to mount two smaller radiators.


-Ben
 
Looks great Ben !!! I don't mind the paint, in fact I like it. Here in Atlanta we are seeing a ton of old cars being modded and painted with flat paint.
 
Nice one Ben!!!

Thanks for stoping in and sharing.:ebiggrin: Can't wait to see the progress. I do assume that there is at least a Subie or two still kickin' around your place.:iconwink:
 
Now, time to see a 4wd conversion with a backwards running 4wd gearbox :twisted:

Cheers

Bennie
 
I'm learning to appreciate the old VWs since my GF got a '73 super beetle.

Usually, I just feed beetles to my lizards haha :raspberry:
 
Nice one Ben!!!

Thanks for stoping in and sharing.:ebiggrin: Can't wait to see the progress. I do assume that there is at least a Subie or two still kickin' around your place.:iconwink:

Still have the 98 Forester, 02 OBS and a Saturn kicking around the house :lol:

Now, time to see a 4wd conversion with a backwards running 4wd gearbox :twisted:

Cheers

Bennie

Hmmmmm, VW did experiment with Synchro Buses at the end (mostly test mules for the Vanagon)
 
Good to see you again Hondaslayer!
Westfalia were a great conversion, though didn't see many in Aus.

Would love to see it on the later 'Trakka' 4x4 mechanicals.

I'm with you, stick with the air cooled engine on these buses.

You could always lift it using the earlier 'reduction box' rear axles. Would also give better torque, just lower top speed...
 
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbkSJQ10SIE"]VW Kombi with Subaru EZ30 H6 engine and Subaru 5 Speed gearbox 0 100 - YouTube[/ame]
 
A mate of mine had a P76 V8 in his, the whole back end was extended by a 6" fillet around the rear seam, unless you were told you'd never have noticed.

He was a bit of a lunatic and apparently towed a trailer load of bricks down a highway at 100pmh passing unbelieving motorists.
 
Been quite busy with a new job and all, but I managed to get the rusted floor sorted out and the interior refinished.

The amount of rust I found once the interior was gutted was just absurd, I ended up welding in a section 6-8in wide and 4 ft long on one side and many smaller sections front and rear. After welding in the 16ga metal (thick, I know) I glassed over it top and bottom to protect it from water intrusion.

IMG_9230.jpg


IMG_9224.jpg


Rhino lined the floor

IMG_9238.jpg


Swapped in a set of seats from a 2004(?) KIA Rio

IMG_9285.jpg


Insulated, test fitting the interior pieces

IMG_9290.jpg


Mostly back together

IMG_9374.jpg


IMG_9376.jpg


Polished roof braces

IMG_9380.jpg


Added a slideout drawer

IMG_9377.jpg


All in all it's coming together nicely. Still need to mount the Grabbers onto the rims and reindex the torsion bars for another 2in up and find a matching blue plaid rear cushion then I can finish the exterior.
 
Last edited:
Forgot to add, I have a bunch of goodies coming for the bus as well. New door and hatch seals, some new window rubbers, new pedals, shifter bushings (urethane FTW!) a shifter extension, new fuel lines that are rated for 100% bio fuels (ethanol in modern fuels kills the old hoses) and retractable seatbelts front and rear, including a three point conversion for the rear (will be adding a L.A.T.C.H system for a baby seat as well) If that last part was not obvious enough I'll spell it out for ya, Kim and I are trying now :)
 
The new rig is looking fantastic Hondaslayer :)

I'd also like to wish you all the best with the other news too mate :bananatoast:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
If that last part was not obvious enough I'll spell it out for ya, Kim and I are trying now :)

Best of luck for the both of you! If it's taking longer than anticipated, don't get depressed, just relax and go with the flow ;)

That will be one sweet family hauler.:cool:

Hell yeah!!

Cheers

Bennie
 
Back
Top