Splitty or bay bus for road trip

[Ed Ernst]

My name is Ed and I'm 68 years old. I'm going to buy a bus in the near future to take a road trip I've dreamed about for years. I really want a splitty but I'm starting to think an early bay might be better for comfort driving and reliability. VW changed the suspension on the bus in 1968 and everything I've read says it it's a better ride and handles better than the splitty. I also know suspensions can be updated on split window buses but at considerable expense. I would like to keep my budget at about $20 thousand. I love the classic look of the splitty but a 68 to 71 with wood interiors are pretty cool too. Any opinions advise, or comments will be greatly appreciated.

[TDCTDI]

The way that prices are going these days, the $20k might keep you in a bay bus anyway. If you find a road worthy splitty for less than that, you might want to pick it up. Have you thought about doing your road trip in something newer? Old VWs weren't made for modern highway speeds & epic road trips are a lot more fun when you aren't constantly fixing or nursing the vehicle along.
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[skills@eurocarsplus]

never thought I would say this...

I am an early bay guy. I just love them. started out with a split years and years ago and honestly I would never go back.

even in an early bay, I am good for about 2-3 hours before I need to get out and move around. these days if I drive a split it's about 20 minutes until I want to run it into a tree.

I would suggest a late bay. they have "real" seats that are pretty comfy, have more room and adjustability. even proper early bay seats are questionable at best in terms of comfort. if I were to do a split, I would (gasp) cut the bulkhead and put in better seats. something about being folded up like a jack knife just doesn't appeal to me.

late bay campers "got it right" in terms of interior layout (in my opinion) and a well sorted one is a pretty nice driver
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[vwinnovator]

$20K is a decent budget to work with for a reliable bay.

Plan it out and you should be able to buy a decent body, have a fresh engine built, rebuilt trans, go through all the brakes, and sort out any electrical.

Paint will be another story though-buses have a lot of surface area and can easily eat up 10-15K on paint.

You mention you like the wood interiors of them??
are you implying that your looking for or planning to buy a camper version-a weekender or pop-up?
those will get a bit more expensive for one with a decent interior..

Depending on whether you want to focus on reliability for long travels vs. "aesthetically pleasing" can be a big determination in meeting your budget.

[OB Bus]

Yes you can do it. $20K is plenty of budget to get a really good early Bay bus. Do you have an air cooled VW background? If not find someone who does who can help you out. Read Muir's "Idiot" book if you have not done so before.

Go. I'm 63 and still driving buses.
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[Ed Ernst]

Hey guys thanks a ton for your input. Sounds like maybe my old bones bad back and shoulders will be happier in an early bay. Also I know 20k may not buy a splitty sound enough for traveling around in the boonies in the western states. Saw Jake Rabeys name in the input. Does Jake build engines for early bays or just pancake engines? A newer bay would make more sense but they don't appeal to my vanity I guess. Yes I want a camper. The birch wood interiors in my opinion are really little traveling pieces of art. I know enough to fix most simple stuff on a VW air cooled. And I'm one of those old guys that doesn't have a fit when something breaks. Hell in this new world with cell phones you can almost always get towed. The ride is a very important part of my plan. A new motor home is not even close to what I have in mind. I have owned several beetles in my life and the air cooled feel and sound is what I want. Never had a chance to experience the Hippy lifestyle for even a day when I was young. Still alive.

[hitest]

I looked for this advice and hadn't seen it yet. Anywhere, you will find someone who can help you with a late model upright engine if you have trouble. There are fewer mechanics along your way who will confidently get into the pancake type 4 engines.

I fully agree with 20k being a great budget for an early bay.
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[williamM]

I feel your pain- after all the stuff the DR's do to keep you going- I settled for an 78 Riviera. That 2.0 FI engine is the best they ever made--- unless you over heat it---- and the FI is a dream- . just spin the key and it's going. The extra safety front end and seatbelts.

HOWEVER---- right out of the box you will find stuff that makes you wonder if anybody knows what they are doing.--

SO- hold back a bunch of money and go for it. There are many traveling and stationary mechanic on this web site. Plan your first tour round their locations.

Hoping to have mine out the door by July 4th and touring in the direction of Colin. stu,ham,and other points of interest for a nearly 30 year old bus-
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[wcfvw69]

I own a 70' bus that's now been completely gone through mechanically. I think it rides plenty comfortable. The only issue w/it is it can (like a VW bug) get blown around a bit at freeway speeds, but not too bad. It is a square box going down the road.

My only issue with the bus as far as ride and comfort go are the original, rebuilt seats. I'm 6' 4" and after a couple of hours, my butt tires of that seat. I have to get out and stretch. The seats are much more comfortable in the later bays and Vanagons. If I wasn't such a purist, I'd change them.

As everyone is saying, you've got a really good budget for an early bay. The less rust it has, the better. The more bone stock it is, the better. I'd certainly invest in a pre-purchase inspection before closing the deal as well.
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[enjoyther1de]

^^^ Can't decide if I need more drugs, or less... Either way I want a bus.
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[Manfred58sc]

Skills hit the issue right on the money. I had to ditch the bay seats (I drive a 69) for adjustable Mitsubishi Bucket seats... and I only get 2-3 hrs before a 20 minute break is mandatory. For 20K I would go later Bay with vanagon seats and a properly built T-4 with FI. And enjoy every mile to the fullest!
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