Daily Driving Diesel Westy

Make:	Volkswagen
Model:	Bus/Vanagon
Type:	Van Camper
Trim:	Westifalia
Year:	1982
Mileage:	179,000
VIN:	WV2ZG0253CH042097
Color:	White
Engine:	1.9L AAZ
Cylinders:	4
Fuel:	Diesel
Transmission:	Manual
Drive type:	RWD
Interior color:	Brown
Drive side:	Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Topeka, Kansas, United States

1982 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Westifalia Additional Info:

This dependable, diesel workhorse has taken me on multiple cross-country road trips and daily, year-around driving. The vehicle currently has less than 180,000 miles on the body and less than 5,000 miles on a full engine rebuild (just past the diesel’s break-in period). I am the vehicle’s third owner and spoke with the original prior to purchase.
This vehicle was purchased in 2013 with 165,000 original miles on an all stock setup, for $8,500. That owner, the second, stored and maintained the vehicle for an annual cross-country vacation, but had to part with the rig due to time constraints.
Over the course of my graduate studies, I completed the electrical/mechanical restoration in two phases, in order to maximize camping and travel time with the vehicle.
Phase One (Summer 2014):
I worked with an electrician to install an auxiliary battery system (Trojan 27 AGM, Inverter, switch panel) and independent glow plug control switch. Due the vehicle’s age, I replaced the original fuel lines and fuel tank (using the metal unit from Parts Place, Inc.). I took this opportunity to have the original Bosch VR Injection pump rebuilt by Arkansas Fuel Injection (more than $1,000) and the fuel injectors replaced with a set of new Bosch injectors ($250), as the original fuel tank had built up some sediment. During this electrical/fuel rebuild, I also had the original alternator rebuilt, engine compartment wiring/relays replaced, and glow plugs replaced.
A Propex HS2211 external furnace was also installed to heat the cabin off the primary propane system.
Total part expenses for this phase were around $3,000.
Phase Two (Spring 2015):
I wanted to wait on this phase, but pushing a daily driver through sub-zero winters will put a rig to the test! When I broke an idle shaft on a particularly cold day, it was time.
Spring Valley Motors (the most qualified and meticulous shop I’ve ever worked with) pulled the original AAZ engine for a full 1.9L rebuild. Spring Valley specializes in vintage Volkswagen vehicles, so they only used quality German products for the build. They sourced new, German parts for the upper and restored the bottom. The water pump was also replaced at this time out of caution. Upon inspection, the clutch was deemed “like new” (less than 20,000 miles). The master and slave clutch and brake cylinders have been replaced and the 4-speed transmission is the champ it’s always been. Because, the vehicle is an original diesel, no modifications were needed to accommodate the additional low-end torque.
The second owner’s largest modification to the vehicle was to install a set of Nokian Nokian WR C Van 205/70R15 reinforced all-season tires on 15-inch Rhine wheels. The setup is simply perfect for rain, mud or snow—I’ve made it through two-foot-tall snow drifts on the way to the ski trailhead. These have been meticulously rotated over the course of their life, so there is plenty of tread all around. He also installed Sylvania Performance headlights and a powered exhaust fan, which I’ve connected to the auxiliary battery system.
Total part and labor for this phase cost $6,500.
Phase Three (You)
Like most Vanagon drivers, I’m regularly stopped by folks who want to chat about the rig—and they constantly tell me how good this thing looks for a 34-year-old ride. That said, after two years of driving in Michigan winters, the ride is starting to show its age. While the surface rust is not currently threatening body damage, it should be attended to in the next 5 years. All the owners have obviously cared for the interior, which shows. The gas range and water pump have always worked, and I removed the refrigerator for large-item storage. The canopy and pop-top parts are all original. There is a small patch on the front where the original owner pinched the canopy in the latch. Otherwise, all good.
The final, cosmetic phase of the restoration is beyond my abilities and will be a chance for the new owner to express his or her own Westy style, so I want to hold off. If I were to have this phase completed, I would need to price the van as a “full-restoration,” further limiting my buyer-pool.