Somewhere, somehow, I have acquired a 1990 VW Multivan. It has an automatic transmission, plus power windows, power door locks, cruise control and power rear view mirrors. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
![Image](https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1866035.jpg)
This van has 198K miles and lived its life entirely in southern California, so no rust at all. A quality repaint was done at some point. The only other upgrades it received were some GoWesty 15 inch wheels and high power headlight relays (thank goodness; the stock Vanagon headlights are atrocious). Otherwise, it has been totally unmolested: a VW lover's dream.
![Image](https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1855397.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1855395.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1855396.jpg)
Ignore the gauge pods on the dash. I added those after purchase.
Nice van, right? Lest you think everything has been on easy street with this vehicle, witness what the brake fluid looked like:
![Image](https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1866041.jpg)
And the lower ball joints:
![Image](https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1866039.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1866038.jpg)
Not to mention the seller switched out the catalytic converter for a hollowed out shell, and replaced one good tire with a bald tire of, get this, a different size. I'll talk about that some other time, but will say I got it resolved. I'm also pretty sure the seller set a self destruct process on the fairly original 2.1 liter wasserboxer by advancing the timing so much it would have melted on it's maiden voyage with me. But I caught this subterfuge before any damage was done and all is well. Check and double check, right?
Before you ask, yes, I did change out the fuel lines. I also installed an oil temp and oil pressure sender/gauge. The coil slowly puked out it's guts as I was doing some tune up one day (oil coming out and into the high tension wire to the distributor), so I had to replace that. I replaced the catalytic converter because, well, you know why, and the muffler because it was splitting.
Once I had the van smogged and licensed, Mary and I took a trip up the coast to Big Sur. Wonderful trip and the van did great. I did not use a single tool of the many I brought with me. However, let me tell you about the suspension. Multivans are lower than regular Westies, and I guess the springs are softer too. The original shocks had been changed out for Bilsteins, which everyone knows are the cat's meow, but I beg to differ. The suspension set up on this van felt like a walrus going around corners, and little dips in the road felt like I was going over a class 4 rapids on the Salmon River. Rated: Not Acceptable
Since the lower ball joints needed to be replaced and everything was coming apart, I decided to put in new shocks and springs. And while I'm in there, what the heck, change every bushing too. My gosh, what a job! For the last three weekends Mary has seen nothing of me but my feet sticking out from under the van. Lucky for me, no rust! All done now, got the alignment done, and it rides great.
I've been heard in the past stating that if I had a Vanagon, the first thing I would do is yank the Wasserboxer and replace it with a 2.5 Subaru motor. I may eat my words since this engine seems okay, but I reserve the right to reverse my decision if the engine throws a rod or the whole thing melts because a tiny little hose by the oil cooler lets go.
Not sure what else say. It's all good. I hope this is my forever van/bus, and I plan on using it well into retirement.
See you on the road. Be sure to wave.
Satchmo
PS: Can someone with more computer smarts than me make it so the images display? Not sure what I'm doing wrong.