Hello,
This is my first post as 71EJVan. Some of you will know me as GL1972 (Green German Look Super with 2110 and 17s). That car was originally bought to do up for my daughter's first car but I got carried away. Well I have decided to honor my commitment to her so I will be changing it by installing steel wheels and a standard 1600 twin port motor (she'll have the coolest car in school!). The motor is currently up for sale in the spare parts forum if anyone is interested in looking.

The project I have decided to do for myself will be a 1971 Bay Panel Van with a Subaru EJ20T conversion (another one to the dark and wet side!), rear disc brake conversion and 17 inch wheels. I purchased the van and brought it home yesterday and it is quite solid but needs some TLC.

The idea of a van is to get to the beach without having to tie my boards on the roof and also have some go to raise some eyebrows at the lights..... Surf and Swoosh!
The will be no metalic paint or plush interior going anywhere near this Van.

I will be posting updates and pictures from the Vans arrival to it's registration which I plan to be arround February next year.

I welcome your input (good or bad).

Regards

Brendan:jesusnn[ Edited on 30-8-2005 by 71EJVan ]

Welcome Brendan,good to see another kombi owner on here.look forward to the updates.

welcome to the forum.. look fwd to your pics..

Finally got it home yesterday after a 215 klm round trip.


Its quite solid and straight however there is some rust to fix in the front floor, under the battery and the left A pillar.


Love the lowlight look. I must have been ok at tieing it on..never moved an inch.


What everyone's garage should look like!


Next picture should be of the EJ20T that will be grafted into it.

Till later.
Brendan:jesusnn[ Edited on 23-8-2005 by 71EJVan ]nn[ Edited on 23-8-2005 by 71EJVan ]

Well done Brendan

I also have 2 daughters in Ls and own a couple of splitty panels (not on road yet )

And to top it off my brother nearly bought your panel and would like to do suby convert

good to see the new project brendan keep us posted

Come to the Darkside our friend Brendan:vaderJVLRacing

Now thats a good looking garage !!

Looks like a great project - I've often thought of selling my bug and getting a kombi - far more practical car, but I just dont know whether I'd be able to live with owning a car that cant be 'fanged' if you know what I mean......

Plus I change my mind every time I think about it.

It looks a great starting place, and will no doubt be another unique ride with your signature touch - quality

Nice Garage and VW's which make it

Fossil,
If it comes out half as good as yours I'll be rapt.

Dark Side here I come.

Brendan

Well I have a motor! EJ20T WRX with only 70,000Ks good compression on all 4 pots. Came with ECU, Loom and Intercooler. I may even hook up the AC at a later date. It arrives Saturday.

Bodywork starts this weekend with the removal of all non paintable bits (lights indicators etc). Probably will also pull the screen as well (needs new seal). I will also start the initial dolly work on the minor dents and if time permits cut the rusty sections out of the floor. Sounds like a lot but shouldn't be a problem if I get a few uninterupted hours at it.

Brendan.

Update:

Removed bumpers, grilles, lights, indicators. Pulled engine and fuel tank. Pulled back wiring (this will be shortened back to a junction point near the ECU and new loom for connection). Removed sound deadening in engine bay.

Brendan

Bringing the WRX motor home. Note the envious look on the bug parked behind the trailer!

The old and the new!

Fuel tank removed also, ready to start modifying to fit the EJ20T. (modifying sounds better than cutting).

You gunna run a later/stronger,2-litre gearbox etc? What conversion plate u using?nn[ Edited on 29-8-2005 by VWCOOL ]

isnt that vwtyp2`s old van the loaf? if it is shes a very cool panel!

Going with this box at first. It's not a 091 but it surely is a lump of a gearbox. I'd say it has had some work in the not too distant past. You can see the edges of clean white gaskets at the nose cone. Haven't decided on the conversion plate yet. Will ring around today.

Yes I believe this was WVType2's van.

Brendan

A little bit of mechanical sympathy goes a long way with gearboxes. I'm sure it'll do you happily for a good while.....


Until the boost bug bites and you want to drag the loaf.....

Man, I love that panel. Every time I saw it in the 4 sales I wanted it.
Gonna be awesome with an EJ20t. Word to the wise though, if it's a 1600 box, it's gonna accelerate fast, but it won't last long. I reckon you'll constantly be be in the boost rev range. I think it'll be very toey to drive. I'd at least pick up a cheap 1800 box and some tall tyres or something. You might even think about converting to an Lbug box if you don't want a 091 just yet. That panel can't weight much more than a splitty, they put them in splitties heaps. Also, Jak and Boof are caning their Lbug boxes and can't break them.
Either way, lookin forward to what you do, might knock you over and steal it while you're not looking!!

BTW, it'd look awesome with a narrowed beam

Now you are scaring me... "I reckon you'll constantly be be in the boost rev range."

Anyone know the ratios of a '71 kombi box?

I want to go to the 228mm clutch but I'm not sure about performance clutches off the shelf that are still streetable (read: doesn't break your leg changing gears). Any ideas? The current box will take a 215mm and I could change the bellhousing and starter for a 2 litre one but what does that get me, a bigger clutch that I would need to get modified to handle the power? Would leaving it a standard size with a Kennedy clutch off the shelf be better?

I'm starting to ramble here!

I haven't ordered the adaptor and flywheel yet so there is still time to decide.

Brendan

the 215mm is the 1800 clutch, I've had no problems with mine and, as I understand it, jak uses one as well and it's fine. If you do have problems then apparently the go is to use the standard friction plate but a heavier pressure plate. Kimm from indian does this and I know CBB are making the heavier pressure plates too.

If you want to go with a 2l box down the track then it probably makes sense to use the larger clutch, but as I said, if not, the 215mm will work just fine.

Pete,
The ring gear diameter on a 200mm clutch flywheel is the same as that on a 215mm clutch flywheel? Can I use both flywheels in the same 002 gearbox?

Anyone know?

If they are the same I may go with a 200mm flywheel and buy a Kennedy off the shelf clutch 1700 or 2100lbs.

I looked up a ratio calculator and with the 215/45/17 wheels I was going to install it would be super fast in the lower gears but rev too high for my liking at 110/120 kmh. Works out a lot better with 60 series tyres (don't know how available they are in 17 inch though). Would be worth changing the R&P at a latter date.

Brendan

you should go a 091 box i reacon!!! just going on what i have heard through the conversion area! i would like the security of the 091 box compared to the 1600 box!! you can get good 091 box's for around $300-$500 anyways!
thats just my 2c worth plus i love the panel it looks awesome!
cheers
rhys

091 Box ratios are much better for a bus. The 1800 box will be reving high at 100 kmph. The 091 will pull about 2900 at 100 .

Got that info from http://www.offroadvw.net  under the excel Dyno

Cool looking ride though

Yes Mattie, it's Loaf.

I might have a line on a 091 box. I'll find out tomorrow morning.

Buying another Kombi would mean definate divorce or at the least some serious expenditure at IKEA!

Brendan

Well I've got hold of a 091 gearbox. Exchange plus cash.

I probably will stay with the old 002 belhousing and starter so that I can use the 200mm off the shelf clutch. This will also mean that I could throw this engine in a dub if I desire without too much cost.

Made a list of all parts including steel and ally sheeting I will need to complete the job. Woah! lots of bits. I will post it here for criticism on the weekend.

Brendan

I'll try posting this long list. Still some things to add.

just a few items

Quote:

Originally posted by 71EJVan Well I've got hold of a 091 gearbox. Exchange plus cash. I probably will stay with the old 002 belhousing and starter so that I can use the 200mm off the shelf clutch. This will also mean that I could throw this engine in a dub if I desire without too much cost. Made a list of all parts including steel and ally sheeting I will need to complete the job. Woah! lots of bits. I will post it here for criticism on the weekend. Brendan

Quick Update:
Picked up the 091 gearbox a couple of days ago. On changing the bellhousing I inspected the crown wheel. No real discernable wear marks on the teeth and very little play. Looks in good condition. My 002 was in good condition also, would have made a great addition to an offroader with big wheels.

Picked up all the steel for the crossmember, fuel tank enclosure and radiator mounts. Took a list down to Metalcorp which included all the small cut lengths, came to $86 cut (who would use a hacksaw for those prices!!)

Also picked up a alloy core sealed unit radiator with twin thermatic fans for the right price.

All the metal is now cut out of the back of the Kombi to fit the engine (most of the engine seal apron and fuel tank shelf is now gone. Cleaned and painted the area ready for installation.

Engine is now cleaned ready for test fitting.

I will post some progress pictures on the weekend.

Brendan