1968 Deluxe Build

[Trashman]

Little personal update: I got a job at a VW restoration shop here in Santa Cruz and I'm loving it so far! Hopefully this is just the beginning

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Bagged 1968 Neptune Blue "Deluxe"

[KentABQ]

Congratulations Tman!
That sounds like it can be a lot of fun and a lot of hard work.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Trashman]

Thanks Kent! I'm excited to put in the hard work
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Bagged 1968 Neptune Blue "Deluxe"

[bally]

Congratulations! From what I've seen you do on this thread it sounds to me like you'll be well suited to the new job! I look forward to more updates! Cheers. Dave

[Trashman]

Not much done on the bus since the last update in October. I've just been driving everywhere, and in all my driving I have broken down twice... First time was due to that godforsaken serpentine belt system that I was just waiting to let me down again, which it did... far from home. The bus is now back to the good ol' v-belt and I couldn't be happier. Once again, IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING TO A SERPENTINE BELT SYSTEM, DO NOT DO IT!!! My second breakdown was a broken throttle cable, easy peasy. I ended up switching from the stock style, to the braided cable style as well as replacing the throttle cable guide tube that goes through the fan shroud.

In the mindset of easily accessing things for repairs and breakdowns, I moved the ignition coil from the back of the fan shroud to the side of the engine compartment mounted to the wheel tub. I also changed all of the terminals to the german, double-crimp style brass connectors.

Other than that, I have finally gotten back on the diesel heater project about a year later hahaha. I got the exhaust for it fitted, fuel lines, pump, filter and tank installed, and wiring done. Gave it the first fire up tonight and this thing can boogie! I ran it for about 30 minutes and the outlet was reading over 200*F. Since I have it under the westy seat where I store a bunch of stuff, I was concerned about the unit itself getting too hot, but the cool end of the unit maxed out at around 80*F and the hot end maxed out at about 115*F. I can live with those numbers. Here are some pictures from all of that.

The fuel tank mounted. Didn't think about the fact that the strap would cover up some of the words on the tank until after I painted it. Oh well

Here's where the heater is installed if you forgot since it was so long ago. Right now i just have the heat coming out of that tube hanging out of the seat pointed forwards. It will eventually connect to the stock heater tubes so it can be used to defrost the windshield (my main reason for doing this in the first place).

And here is where i put the controller for the heater. I just routed the wires under the seat pedestal, through and existing hole and double stick taped it to my cb radio. I opted for the most simple style control with just an on and off button and a dial the controls both fan speed and temperature.

I was also able to get the bus up on a lift for the first time since I bought it just to do a little once over on everything, and I was happily surprised to find everything in line and did a trans fluid change while it was up there and easy to do. But rest assured, all other work being down is on the ground and in the street. I have to stay on brand right???

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Bagged 1968 Neptune Blue "Deluxe"

[1FineOLD69]

[vintage water]

hello !
well done job on the 68 !

[Trashman]

Soooo apparently once you start working on vw's for a living you kind of lose time/motivation to work on your own stuff. Who knew?!

Anyways I've been able to do a couple things here and there that are just fixing the odd broken thing (Yes the bus is still my only ride so if something breaks, it's gotta get fix asap).

The first thing is sensible. I got some new tires. They still won't please all the purists but they are much better than before. I've got some 185/75 r14's for the rear and 165/65 r14 for the front. Now I'm finally cruising on the freeway and a reasonable speed and rpm.

Rears, still tucking castle nuts.

Fronts, now the tires hit the 3" tubs before the frame hits the ground.

Took the wheels and tires to get mounted in our shop car. Diesel and flames, can't get much cooler. Kinda want to buy it...

Then a got a pretty gnarly concussion and started doing weirder stuff to the bus...

First is some old truck mirrors. I still need to bring them in a couple inches on each side but I'm still working on freeing up all the rusty hardware on them.

Mounted them using the stock mirror mounts (still had to drill for the top mounts)

Then, I finally started on the headliner in this thing. FUR HEADLINER UP IN THIS BITCH! Still have some trimming out to on it but it's 95% done.

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Bagged 1968 Neptune Blue "Deluxe"

[Clatter]

Just keeps getting better…
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Bus Motor Build

What’s That Noise?!?

[Abscate]

[Trashman]

Jeez it's been a while since I've popped in around here. I'm back to say that I have a plan all ironed out for the next phase of the bus. I won't give up many details yet, but I will say that the air suspension will be out and the frame notches, tubs, raised engine, raised steering box, and front beam doghouse will all no longer be of any service. I'll give a little hint that it will be more crazy (albeit less complicated) than it is right now

That being said, the air compressors, air tank, air drier, valve block, ecu, controllers, height sensors, and wiring harness is all going to be for sale if anyone is interested.

edit: drop spindles for sale too.
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Bagged 1968 Neptune Blue "Deluxe"

[TDCTDI]

Totally looking forward to see this thing lifted over stock the same amount it was lowered.



Although, I would suggest finding someone wanting a slammed bus that’s willing to trade for something closer to your current vision.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Trashman]