Silver Thermos Project

[greggearhead]

(Thermos - because it reminds me of an old silver lunchbox)

Well, I've built a lot of smaller water-cooled VWs and Audis, and a handful of Vanagons, and this Eurovan fell into my lap. Intention was a keeper, but with my business changing and my wife wanting a Honda Element as a daily, it's going to be a fix and flip project for me.

I have to say, having never before owned or spent any real time in a Eurovan - these are really nice vehicles. I really like multi-purpose vehicles for daily drivers, and a Eurovan would be great. Plus, the 24V VR6 actually scoots pretty well, even at altitude. Night and day compared to my Vanagon, which I really like, but is showing it's age in design.

Anyway, this one is a local one-owner (before me) family vehicle that got used less and less as the kids got older, until the son turned 16 and used it for a year. It was in good shape before he had it, sigh. It was a neighbor of a friend, and I watched it - it got some dings and scrapes, and the interior got trashed. Sad when kids don't appreciate things, and when parents don't hold them accountable. OK, no more soapbox.

Plans - CLEAN the interior. Just like in Vanagons, I'll strip out the seats, etc and thoroughly wash everything. I've already scrubbed door panels and interior panels twice, and it needs another round. Replace broken interior items, do the some heavy maintenance, lift it a little, 215/70r16 all terrains on factory wheels, make it ready to jump in and go anywhere. I'm not a body guy, so the scrapes and dings will likely stay there for the next owner to leave or decide to address. I don't mind a little character in my vehicles - makes them less worrisome to use on trails or as utility vehicles.

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1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

Alright, new air filter, cleaned MAF, fuel filter, oil and filter, climate filter, removed all the interior that isn't bolted down, power washed the seats and front carpet many times, (until rinse water comes out clean), shampooed rear carpet, even though its getting covered with a rear mat, couldn't just leave it dirty.

All terrain tires ordered, old tires removed from wheels, prepping to coat them, clean more interior parts, lift it, etc.

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Xtremjeepn]

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http://www.cavevan.com

[greggearhead]

Ha, I'm using your pointers and tips to do it! Much appreciated.

I'm really learning to like the Eurovan!
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[DenverB]

they are great vehicles. looking forward to your progress.

-b
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'77 Transporter/camper (Bussy - Reef Blue/Pastel White)
'67 bug (Santos - VW Blue)
'84 Vanagon Westfalia (Pink Flamingo - Pastel White/Pink)
'88 Vanagon GL Westfalia (Frankie Says - Wolfram Gray)
'02 Eurovan Weekender (Green Apple)
'95-'03 Eurovan full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'84 -'91 Vanagon full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'72 Porsche 914 (Greta - RIP)

www.RockyMountainCampervans.com

[Xtremjeepn]

I'm right up here in Castle Pines North of you need anything.


No idea why someone would want an Element over a Eurovan Westfalia
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http://www.cavevan.com

[greggearhead]

Happy wife, happy life. I was hoping this one would win her over, but we'll see. I may look for a cheap tin top as a daily to replace my Vanagon that I'm looking to sell soon.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Xtremjeepn]

[greggearhead]

The size, and the AWD. I can't really argue with that, or I'd rather not. But I'll have her drive this one when it's back together and see what she really thinks.

I found a lowered 2001 MV with a 5 speed swap on Craigslist on the west coast - reasonable, and would be a really fun/functional daily, I think. Eh, we'll see whenever I get around to selling my van.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Xtremjeepn]

I was mostly just curious. I figured the slightly smaller size and awd were the reasons.

Good luck on it. Keep us posted on the progress.
_________________
http://www.cavevan.com

[greggearhead]

Of course, one of her friends saw one of these and suggested it, but then we are pretty much back to the Eurovan IMO

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

OK, I removed the wood flooring after shampooing the carpet several times. In the heat, with a gentle and slow touch, the crazy adhesive that VW used, let go. It made it easier to lay the vinyl down and trim it to fit.

After Scrubbing the bare metal floor clean, I set about getting the marine grade vinyl I've use for flooring in my work Vanagon (for years now) glued. dried and trimmed. Laid it back down in, along with the freshly cleaned front carpet, Loyds rubber mats, and a center vinyl section.

More cleaning needed (seat belts, etc) but it's at least going back in the right direction now!

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Itsamoto]

Sooooo clean. That floor looks amazing -- you could eat off of it. And its just marine grade vinyl? It will hold up ok? Can you share details on how thick it is? Very interesting and really looking forward to seeing your work/touch on the Eurovan.

[Xtremjeepn]

So the vinyl is glued to the carpet?

Looks like an upholstery vinyl?(as opposed to a flooring vinyl)
_________________
http://www.cavevan.com

[greggearhead]

Yes, glued to the carpet. It's a marine flooring vinyl - I did the exact same thing in my Vanagon a few years ago, and it regularly has wheels, engines, etc loaded in and out of it. Almost daily. It has held up wonderfully, which is why I was confident to use it for this van. If it will hold up to wheels and car parts daily for years, it should be fine for camping and crates and normal wear and tear.

I like your Cave Van vinyl flooring option better , but I had this from the other project (still have some left!) and thought it would work a treat - it has.

http://shop.cavevan.com/products/eurovan-precut-flooring

Edit - except for the front aisle piece - that is currently just laying there. I may glue it, but wanted to see how it was with the seat bases, shifter, etc holding it down.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[Xtremjeepn]

Thanks.

I was just curios.

I've actually got several new premium vinyls now at CaveVan but they are not on the site yet.

I'd be curious how the vinyl over carpet holds up in an area not as dry as Colorado.
_________________
http://www.cavevan.com

[greggearhead]

Pretty well, I expect. I've had lots of water spilled/dumped (wash wheels at car wash, put them back inside - stuff like that), rain in through open windows, etc. and like I mentioned, it gets really used/abused (unloaded a set of wheels yesterday, loaded a Porsche 519 transaxle). That is also one of the reasons I want a larger domestic van - cargo area in BACK and a bulkhead so I can haul people AND cargo at the same time.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[greggearhead]

Phew. Been busting hard trying to get the Eurovan done while keeping the day-to-day going.

Rear facing seat installed.
Both front seat bases bolted down.
Passenger front seat installed.
Center console, cupholder installed.
Shifter, E brake cover installed.
Table threaded receiver epoxied.
Plastic thresholds cleaned and installed.
Seat belts (some so far) soaking in soapy water.
Rear lift spacers (1.25") installed and down on ground.
Wheels bolted on (just 2 bolts)
Made rear seat access panel replacement pieces and bedlined them.
Installed bedlined front door pull handles.


The 2nd piece of the cat-back exhaust arrived today. Can't wait to get it on and finish the suspension and get it aligned. With the exhaust leak, it sounds like a tame R32, heh.

Picked up screen to replace missing one.

_________________
1972 Porsche 911E
1973 VW 412
1984 VW Doka
1991 Vanagon Syncro Westy


Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale

https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead

http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html

[wildenbeast]

Looks great! The wheels and lift really make a huge difference. In my old Vanagons and my Eurovan I've replaced the flooring, which helps remove years and years worth of dust and grime. Nice to see someone else doing a good cleaning.
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- Bill, '93 Eurovan Syncro Weekender (2.5 manual ACU)

[gakali]

Looks great you're doing a fine job! I'm sure you already know this but just sayin'!
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Why do it? Because you can.

1999 Eurovan
2003 A4 Avant 1.8T Quattro
1992 W201 190e 2.3 Mercedes
2006 W220 S600 V12 Twin Turbo 5.5 Mercedes