My '82 Vanagon Build Thread!

[aeffertz]

Hey Everyone!
I'd just like to say that I'm new to this part of the forums, and Vanagons, but I've recently bought myself an '82 Vanagon. It has 90,000 miles on it, runs decent, and is just about rust free. It needs some body work, paint, and the interior is empty except for the "front section" (dash, driver and passenger seats, etc.) Also has a transmission fluid leak.
But the best part was the price--I scooped this one up for $500! I plan on getting it repainted before summer and finish the interior up by mid summer. Here's a few pics of it for you guys to look at.














So, yes. I do have quite a project ahead of me. The frame and whole undercarriage is rust free which is a huge plus. But it has plenty of dents, dings, and other problems. Since those pictures, I've fixed the transmission leak. I pulled out the transmission and noticed all the oil was slipping by through, by the torque converter. So I got a new seal and viola! No more leak!



Also since those pictures, I've gotten pretty far on filling in all the dents. I wish I would've gotten more pics of the bigger problems, but I'm in a hurry to get it in primer before I'm out of school in a couple of weeks.

I'll try to get some more updated pics tomorrow for you guys! Let me know what you think!

[gti_matt]

Nice...what are you planning for a powerplant or are you keeping it stock?

[aeffertz]

As much as I'd like to put a VR6 in it, I'm going to just keep it stock. That would be too big of a project for me to tackle right now.

[bigfatgeek]

Cool, keep the photos coming!

[arc9]

nice project, any plans for modifications?

[aeffertz]

Yeah! As I said, it's going to get painted. I'm going with a green and white two-tone paint job. Something like this:




I want to get it low, but the only way to really get low on these is with airbags, and I haven't the first clue with a set up like that. I'm probably going to get some aftermarket springs, that will lower it two inches. Which isn't bad, but I would rather it be lower. Looking at different 18'' and 19'' wheels for the set up, as well.
Don't really want a camper interior, just something that is comfortable, and roomy. Something like this guys:



Big plans, so little time! Need to get back to work, haha.
Thanks for the comments! They keep me motivated.

[H2O-Box]

Nice job so far, wish I could refinish mine. That is part of a weekender interior..

[VolksAddict]

Watching this.

[aeffertz]

Few updated pics. The van doesn't look a whole lot different, but I've been applying body filler and sanding for a while now and it's almost ready for primer. I'm guessing by the end this week it should be completely ready to be sprayed, if not sprayed, with some primer. So many little dings and crappy paint to sand away at.

[aeffertz]

Got the whole drivers side sanded down, the majority of the front and back sanded down with 120 grit. Stumbled across a few more dings that I'll have to take care of, too. Geesh, I thought I had them all!

[aeffertz]

Finally ready for primer. Spraying it on Tuesday. Just a couple of updated pics. Since these, I've sand blasted the surface rust on the top of the bumper, real sealed it, and got the handles and wheels wrapped.

[aeffertz]

Got some of the initial primer laid down this morning. I just sprayed a few thin, black coats over the spots that had some scratches and where I applied some body filler. Later today I'll spray the whole thing a light grey so when I'm sanding, I'll know not to go much further once I see that black.
Once this gets nice and dry, I'll take the DA and sand these spots smooth and spray it with the light grey primer.







Be back later with more updates!

[aeffertz]

With the van being in some primer, it's a lot easier to pin point the flaws. I went around and spot puttied the paint chips and deep scratches that were still there.





Then once I got them all filled, I went around and block sanded them smooth.





Getting a few full coats of primer tomorrow then wet sanding will follow.

[Road Boss]

Any progress on this?

[aeffertz]

Woah, blast from the past.

Only update on it is I got rid of it to buy my '79 Rabbit years ago.