The Sneaks SHTF Westy

[fusername]

you can tap that galley as a return for a full flow pump, or is it feed. Haha been a while but its kind of straight forward if you think long and hard about the flow of the oil. there are 2 or three distinct ways of doing full flow, thats one of em, and I think you have parts to do a slightly different version. oil temp, 180 to 210 is the sweet spot, closer to 180 as possible, 210 qualifies as pretty warm, but on a bus we can only be so picky.

I like keeping stock oil cooler because the fan system wont work proberly without it, the air flow expects a restriction of an oil cooler there, delete it and you get uneven and piss poor cooling ont he cylinders and such. external coolers require a thermostat, 30 bucks VERY welll spent, i reccomend it. all future bus engines built by me will run stock AND remote coolers, T4 or bug motors. High revs will always push teh engine temp up.

moustache bar bolts on in 3 places, not two. drilling and tapping aint to bad, or so i hear. Rector seal #5 is the bees knees to seal the case halves together.

hmm, i just looked at that plug again, i have no idea whats going on. I wonder if someone tapped the wrong hole and plugged it? these things happen, they are close together and an honest mistake...

[Sneaks]

Actually, the plan for this ride has changed. While hopefully avoiding any political statement here, I'm pretty concerned about the state of the world and regardless of which puppet gets elected in November, I have a feeling things are going to get worse before better. Sooooo, my RAM is already set up as a survival assault truck - plenty of candlepower, skid plates, spare fuel storage, a real bull bar, etc but considering it only gets 10mpg on a good day, I'm kinda thinking it will, if the SHTF, it will be more of a point machine than something for the long haul, that's where the westy will come in. The plans are as such:

- reinforced bumpers front and rear (thinking of tying them together with DOM running front to rear along the outrigers)
- lexan reinforced passenger compartment windows
- convert the 'closet' to hold my Remington 870, Sharps .22 and Winchester 30-06 and ammo.
- Extra water storage under bed.
- eliminate stove for an old-style Coleman liquid fuel stove
- deep cycle battery with isolator
- slight lift with A\T tires
- solar panel on roof
- alcohol system as backup fuel (been researching alcohol conversions on ACVWs)
- exterior rack for 2 spare tires
- poptop cot eliminated and area used for storage of freeze-dried supplies
- Midland ham and Cobra CB installed
- incorporating the crate for the pit bull so he has a safe place to hang out too:)
- External fuel cans
- space between front seats modified to act as tool box

I'm not a doomsdayer but I do have concerns, plus, it will just be fun to build:)

[fusername]

you konw I have a tube bender, and I do still have those tires if you are interested. I like to imagine my bay was pretty doomsday ready, a weeks worth of water and a couple days food for afull car load, or a full month all by my lonesome, plus all the goodies that you konw I travel with. But it turns out most of that was for when I ran out of gas, more often than not. I miss my shovel mount.

Always would rather be a prepared crazy than, well, ok I just like prep, planning, and mods. any excuse to break something till its fixed, and fill every damn cabinet.

Also don't get me started on propane conversions, hot damn do I want one. Oh and lithium Ion battery packs. Lighter and they last longer, and....

[Sneaks]

Trust me, when I get rolling with this product I expect you to be assisting:D. I am interested in the tires, just trying to scrape up some $$. The pickle is an inspiration for this project but I don't think it will be green. I remember you living out of that thing so we will be talking:)...

Going to Tfest this year? My VW club is having a swap meet up my way in October if you and\or AJ want to sell some stuff - $5 for a vendor spot or just throw it in with my pile and let me know what you want for prices.

[Stray Catalyst]

Mind if I add a few things to your swap meet haul? I'm looking through my storage trailer, and I have a lot of parts for cars I no longer have - plus the possibility of another westy, but this one will be parts and scrap only if I get it, it looks too rusted to save.

For your roll cage, while I don't have a tubing bender I do have a notcher, which will help to make a stronger cage.

Stray

[Sneaks]

Definitely, Dave. The date is 10/21 in Lee. Haven't chatted with you in ages, will have to meet up and I'll take the stuff to the meet for you, unless you can join us which would be cool as well.

I'm going to be calling on all my NE VW friends on this project I think, I have a vision but probably not the skills:).

[fusername]

I am still parting out this bay, so I think I would 100% be in on a vendor spot with you, let me get rid of the big extras from my part-out fest. I still have a notcher I borrowed from Bob 3 or 4 years ago. I call the guy a couple times a year and have yet to get in touch w/ him to return it. He has no internet and no cell phone, just a tape based home answering machine. And a girlfriend in canada, once he retired the old bastard started living the life.

I suggest you copy my shovel mount, that thing was bos. Also do you have any clue how many spare parts I had in my frame rails? Wheel chocks, spare axle assembeled, brake pads, lug nuts, 2 tie rods, tow bar, probably more I forgot. There is a lot of room down there.

[doc]

Topic moved from Bus Barn per Sneaks request.

doc

[Sneaks]

I had Doc move this from the Bus Barn to here since I've changed my mind on this build. Instead of a mild custom, I've decided that it will be a SHTF-get-outta-Dodge beast. I'm finishing up my 79 Bay in the next couple of weeks then this one will get the treatment. I'm going to be picking fuser's brain (I know, don't say it...) for ideas since the Pickle is quazi inspiration for it. Mild lift, some good tires. Pulling the sink and jump seat out to make room for the pit bull's crate on a raised platform with dry goods storage under it. . putting a gun safe in where the closet is, large water bladder under the rear seat with an external and internal spigot, adding an isolator and deep cycle battery as well as an inverter plus keeping grid power. Looking hard at a small solar panel for the roof. I have an old Coleman that runs off just about anything for fuel for cooking so no stove required. I'm going to add some undercarriage storage like fuser did for spare parts. CB and 2M ham inside, shovel and pick axe mounts externally and hopefully some way to mount two spare tires.

I'm thinking of a roo bar sorta setup in the front. What are the thoughts of instead of tying it into the front, running and welding DOM all the way to the rear and tying it in with the back bumper? Sorta like an added tube frame that runs the length of the bus? Figured could use it as 'skids' if ever get high centered.

I'm still building this thing in my head, any thoughts\suggestions are more than welcome.

[Sneaks]

Topic moved from Bus Barn per Sneaks request.

doc

Thanks doc!!

[Stray Catalyst]

Do you have space to store stuff? I'm heading down to the farm for a party this weekend, I could pack up some stuff in the back of my poor tired Golf to drop off with you, either by detouring East to your area, or meeting up with you somewhere closer to the centerline of the state. Otherwise, I'll arrange a trip down closer to the 21st, probably with a borrowed pickup truck.

We should conspire about how much stuff you want to haul, and also about any parts you're seeking for your war wagen.

Stray

[Sneaks]

I have space between the shed, basement and war wagon. Where you heading this weekend? Might be able to meet up with you, let me see if I can borrow the boy's Jeep as my truck is down for the count. I'll bring as much to the swap as you want me to:)

[supaninja]

Damn Sneaks looks like we are doing similar builds with our westy's, yours is a little more beefy. I was going to build my own solar panel but Home Depot of all places has some decent ones for good prices http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZb ... ogId=10053 I'm thinking 100w should be adequate for my power needs.

[winifredevw]

I just put a small solar charger, like 12"x12" on my camper, It puts out supposedly 5 watts. (Plus it was wired backwards, the RED+ and BLACK- were reversed, made in china, go figure) That ain't much, don't expect it to recharge a depleted battery anytime soon.

Are you thinking about an exoskeleton type bumper, that goes from front to rear?

[Sneaks]

Damn Sneaks looks like we are doing similar builds with our westy's, yours is a little more beefy. I was going to build my own solar panel but Home Depot of all places has some decent ones for good prices http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZb ... ogId=10053 I'm thinking 100w should be adequate for my power needs.

I saw your build over in the bus barn:). Thanks for the link, some useful stuff there. I figure I don't need anything big either. I'm not going to be running off the panel, just using it to top off the batteries during the day if I'm not moving. Just started researching that side of things so really appreciate the link. Starting to think that if I can swing the cost, I might go with two deep cycles just as a CYA.

The terrain up here in NH I'm quite sure is very different from where you are at. I'm planning on being able to head off to the mountains or the deep woods of NH\ME. Not going to start a political rant here but let's just say I'm less than impressed with those who are running USA, Inc and the crop that wants to run it don't seem any better.

My son works at a place called Kittery Trading Post, think Cabella's but region-specific and locally owned. He got me a 'damaged' 3-gun safe out of the dumpster that with a little modification will fit where the closet currently is to hold my 12 ga, 30-06 and .22. He also got me an old fishing rod display I'm going to cut up and mount in the poptop to hold a couple of rods.

Trying to decide if I will mount the tools (shovel, spade, pick axe, hi-lift jacks) on the side ala Kubel style or at the front on the roo bar. I want to keep the rear clear if possible since I'm not exactly tall and getting to the stuff in the back through the hatch is a challenge as it is:). Also thinking if I run DOM to the rear that will give me a solid point to mount a swingout tire carrier instead of trying to have the rear sheet metal support it.

I'm going with 1776 with a W100 cam and dual Kads for hopefully a good balance between a little extra power for the added weight while still being reliable. Most of the places I will be going with this don't require freeway travel so if I can't do over 55mph, I'm not upset.

The biggest hurdle I think will be heat:(

I just put a small solar charger, like 12"x12" on my camper, It puts out supposedly 5 watts. (Plus it was wired backwards, the RED+ and BLACK- were reversed, made in china, go figure) That ain't much, don't expect it to recharge a depleted battery anytime soon.

I'm hoping 100w will help, I don't expect it to fully charge the batteries. Then again, I'm not planning on much for electrical accessories. I'm thinking of LEDs for interior lighting. No TV, I have an iPad and an iPhone to charge, the CB and ham for emergencies, small pump for water.

Are you thinking about an exoskeleton type bumper, that goes from front to rear?

Sorta. can't really wrap around the nose because of the doors, same with the side because of the slider. Thinking somthing that runs front to rear on either side of the tunnel, maybe out to the rockers as rock guards. Still trying to think it through, not even sure it is feasible or will even be that strong. I'll have to see if I can draw up a sketch for critique:)