CaveVan Forum

Pictures and tall tales!! => Show off your projects here! => Topic started by: greggearhead on July 17, 2016, 01:18:27 pm

Title: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on July 17, 2016, 01:18:27 pm
(Thermos - because it reminds me of an old silver lunchbox)

Well, I've built a lot of smaller water-cooled VWs and Audis, and a handful of Vanagons, and this Eurovan fell into my lap.  Intention was a keeper, but with my business changing and my wife wanting a Honda Element as a daily, it's going to be a fix and flip project for me. 

I have to say, having never before owned or spent any real time in a Eurovan - these are really nice vehicles.  I really like multi-purpose vehicles for daily drivers, and a Eurovan would be great.  Plus, the 24V VR6 actually scoots pretty well, even at altitude.  Night and day compared to my Vanagon, which I really like, but is showing it's age in design. 

Anyway, this one is a local one-owner (before me) family vehicle that got used less and less as the kids got older, until the son turned 16 and used it for a year.  It was in good shape before he had it, sigh.  It was a neighbor of a friend, and I watched it - it got some dings and scrapes, and the interior got trashed.  Sad when kids don't appreciate things, and when parents don't hold them accountable.  OK, no more soapbox. 

Plans - CLEAN the interior.   Just like in Vanagons, I'll strip out the seats, etc and thoroughly wash everything.  I've already scrubbed door panels and interior panels twice, and it needs another round.   Replace broken interior items, do the some heavy maintenance, lift it a little, 215/70r16 all terrains on factory wheels, make it ready to jump in and go anywhere.  I'm not a body guy, so the scrapes and dings will likely stay there for the next owner to leave or decide to address.  I don't mind a little character in my vehicles - makes them less worrisome to use on trails or as utility vehicles. 

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0089_zpsm3mz5ct9.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0089_zpsm3mz5ct9.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0086_zpsn4vl9hzt.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0086_zpsn4vl9hzt.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on July 20, 2016, 03:43:10 pm
Alright, new air filter, cleaned MAF, fuel filter, oil and filter, climate filter, removed all the interior that isn't bolted down, power washed the seats and front carpet many times, (until rinse water comes out clean), shampooed rear carpet, even though its getting covered with a rear mat, couldn't just leave it dirty. 

All terrain tires ordered, old tires removed from wheels, prepping to coat them, clean more interior parts, lift it, etc. 


(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0216_zpsajoevvon.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0216_zpsajoevvon.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on July 25, 2016, 08:10:49 pm
OK, I removed the wood flooring after shampooing the carpet several times.  In the heat, with a gentle and slow touch, the crazy adhesive that VW used, let go.  It made it easier to lay the vinyl down and trim it to fit. 

After Scrubbing the bare metal floor clean, I set about getting the marine grade vinyl I've use for flooring in my work Vanagon (for years now) glued. dried and trimmed.  Laid it back down in, along with the freshly cleaned front carpet, Loyds rubber mats, and a center vinyl section. 

More cleaning needed (seat belts, etc) but it's at least going back in the right direction now!

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0226_zpsb4cbbzj6.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0226_zpsb4cbbzj6.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0227_zpszmsuop3g.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0227_zpszmsuop3g.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0228_zpsijygodsa.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0228_zpsijygodsa.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on July 28, 2016, 07:34:00 pm
Phew.  Been busting hard trying to get the Eurovan done while keeping the day-to-day going. 

Rear facing seat installed.
Both front seat bases bolted down.
Passenger front seat installed.
Center console, cupholder installed.
Shifter, E brake cover installed. 
Table threaded receiver epoxied. 
Plastic thresholds cleaned and installed.
Seat belts (some so far) soaking in soapy water.
Rear lift spacers (1.25") installed and down on ground. 
Wheels bolted on (just 2 bolts)
Made rear seat access panel replacement pieces and bedlined them.
Installed bedlined front door pull handles.


The 2nd piece of the cat-back exhaust arrived today.  Can't wait to get it on and finish the suspension and get it aligned.  With the exhaust leak, it sounds like a tame R32, heh. 

Picked up screen to replace missing one. 


(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0238_zpsebw9cvbb.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0238_zpsebw9cvbb.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0240_zpsxhnmziqa.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0240_zpsxhnmziqa.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0241_zpsjoefhgmo.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0241_zpsjoefhgmo.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0242_zpswljpidxq.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0242_zpswljpidxq.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: Cole on August 03, 2016, 06:38:45 pm
More Pics!! :P
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on August 06, 2016, 06:28:09 pm
More progress.

I removed one of the rear spacers so it's lifted about 2"and has a tiny amount of rake.  House battery and drivers seat installed, top cushions washed, top tent patched, more cleaning.  More to do.  Close, though! 

I'm still not satisfied with cleaning the sliding door entry plastic threshold.  It's chalky and ugly to me.  I might try the bedliner, just to see. 

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0460_zpspiplqy4m.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0460_zpspiplqy4m.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0461_zpsftjmmufq.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0461_zpsftjmmufq.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on August 06, 2016, 06:37:21 pm
Oh, here are the access panels I made, and bedlined with the same stuff as the front door pulls.

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0462_zpsdedglhfb.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0462_zpsdedglhfb.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0463_zpsybidsrkf.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0463_zpsybidsrkf.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on August 22, 2016, 05:08:05 pm
Well, it's done.  I've come from the dark side (Vanagons and Buses) and really gained an appreciation for the Eurovan in the process.  To the point where after I sell my Vanagon daily, I will have a early manual or late tin top Eurovan on my shopping list. 

I like the interior better than the Vanagon - the rear bench/bed works better and easier, and REMOVES COMPLETELY - what a genius idea.  I like the power of the 24V Vr6 - though don't need to win drag races, just need to be able to do the interstate for hours without feeling depressed and worried about the old pushrod motor so much.  I haven't driven it in the snow, but talking to people and watching videos tells me it would do awesome - especially compared to my Vanagon that I used throughout last year. 

Am I a convert?  Basically.  Do I want to keep this?  Yes.  Can I?  No.  I need to sell it and replace it for my wife with a Honda Element, plus sell a few more Vanagons, and a BMW, and a Porsche, etc etc to make some room and generate a few bucks I have tied up in all of them.

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0780_zpsz3mw4bpb.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0780_zpsz3mw4bpb.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0778_zps4oignlyd.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0778_zps4oignlyd.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0777_zpsibnxorth.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0777_zpsibnxorth.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0776_zpsojxdno2j.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0776_zpsojxdno2j.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0775_zpsd7prefq9.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0775_zpsd7prefq9.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0774_zpsth5d8bzx.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0774_zpsth5d8bzx.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0773_zpsqmthtiyo.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0773_zpsqmthtiyo.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0772_zpsnrp1g4gs.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0772_zpsnrp1g4gs.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0771_zps6w4e2nst.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0771_zps6w4e2nst.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0770_zpshbs50br3.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0770_zpshbs50br3.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0769_zps07vaok8p.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0769_zps07vaok8p.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0768_zpsop0hqpw4.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0768_zpsop0hqpw4.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0767_zpshcvpcma1.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0767_zpshcvpcma1.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0766_zpsfrxxbgid.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0766_zpsfrxxbgid.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0765_zpshtdpmwyd.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0765_zpshtdpmwyd.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0764_zpsxtezo4we.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0764_zpsxtezo4we.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0763_zpsa5l5pbcy.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0763_zpsa5l5pbcy.jpg.html)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0762_zpsrc7twuvf.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/greggearhead/media/Eurovan/DSC_0762_zpsrc7twuvf.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: wildenbeast on August 23, 2016, 05:09:54 pm
Can you tell us a bit more about the bench seat doors / covers you made?  They look nice.

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h43/greggearhead/Eurovan/DSC_0762_zpsrc7twuvf.jpg)[/URL]
Title: Re: The Thermos Project
Post by: greggearhead on July 31, 2017, 09:41:59 am
Hey Bill -

Sorry it's been a year(!) since I posted up here - didn't realize there was a reply. 

Anyway, I made the panels really, really easily.  I used Masonite board, easy to cut to shape.  I put some conduit clamps on the bottom to act as hinges so they can flip open and hang there, or be completely removed easily enough.  I drilled a little finger hole to pull them open, and I used velcro pieces (glued to the plastic on the seat) to hold them shut.  Worked surprisingly well.  I also used the same bedliner to coat them that I used for the front handles.  Pretty simple process, and only cost a few dollars and a few hours.  Looks 1,000,000 times better than having gaping holes there, IMO.