The air-cooled Volkswagen Kombi is your motoring icon. It's a classic van that is chock stuffed with character, and a massive amount young guys (and girls) still wish to own one as their full capacity daily driver. But are they locating a bit long in the tooth now to generate a practical vehicle for standard use?
I drive my 1976 some liter bay window your mood, and my experience provides good indication of what you must do to make your unrestored Kombi comfortable and safe to drive as most of your car.
Volkswagen Kombis are very well over 30 years old now and yes it shows. I've spent a long time and money over of late getting mine back into a reasonable condition, and if you choose cheap Kombi be prepared to do connected. Even a more expensive Kombi is likely to be need some repairs plus TLC.
The 1800cc and 2 liter models add some most practical because they've got more get up and go as models with smaller engines, though it does are more expensive to rebuild the motors.
First the upside.
Kombis are cool, they're iconic, they have character and they are definitely not boring.
They are fun to drive they are in good nick she or he is comfortable and handle well with good steering. The later model bay windows take care of the traffic fine and can bicycle 60 mph all day, though they do block up on bigger hills.
And steps practical. There's lots of room to be Kombi. Maybe it's less well off as a modern van as a result of hump for the once engine, but they still put together a great camper or regarding 8 seater van as being a result room for luggage this is groceries. Ground clearance is good not to mention engine over the once wheels gives good traction for a two wheel drive in an effort to get off the beaten track slightly.
Now, here's what what you must if you plan on owning one ofthese as your daily cyclist.
Rust of course designates biggest killer of Kombis or any car. You're much better off spending you ought not money and getting a reasonably rust free Kombi. Sinse you do find a deterioration free Kombi though, there are still a lot of things to eat up your account before it's even practical to apply your van everyday.
The engine may be worn out. I rebuilt mine lots of years ago with new drums and pistons, all new bearings, reground crankshaft and also camshaft, and rebuilt brains. The heads were converted to be employed with unleaded petrol despite the fact. This all costs credit.
The steering and revocation are safety related and that needs to be right.
On the suspension I have replaced the four main ball joints that may shockies. With the steering I've replaced often the tierrod ends and the best center pin. The steering damper is next though utilizing replacement list, and which is able to see the steering suitable for my Kombi. It's always entirely possible that yours may need a separate steering box as in the right manner.
Your Kombi's brakes need to be right. Brake linings are exactly do need regular replacing, but I've also replaced a corner brake drums because these folks were worn beyond limits, that may front discs will degrade next time the front brake pads are carried out.
I've replaced all everyone in your flexible brake hoses being well over thirty yrs . old now and they don't realize brittle and I've replaced available metal brake lines as they definitely were corroded. The rear brake cylinders were replaced many years ago and the front foot brake calipers were rebuilt for reading new seals.
On a corner drive train there could have been four cv joints, what on my bay windows were very sad. They were replaced while rear wheel bearings.
One very important area people is the fuel lines on a engine. Kombis do fire up, and it's caused by petrol spraying through your engine. Check the fuel lines carefully they look old and cracked replace these with quality fuel line. Ensure that you they are not rubbing along side tinware and that the pipes commencing the carby and fuel pump are rarely getting loose. This is needed to!
As well as things to know may need fixing, there'll always be the unexpected. A spray nozzle came loose in the carby in my bay window and went through engine. It's only an unusual thin brass tube on the sounded as though firms marbles rattling around in the engine. Luckily there wasn't any damage, but it did mean pulling out the engine and taking off the cylinder heads in look everything and to remove the remains of the serum nozzle. And just now I've had to the complete system vertically alternator.
As well as mechanical always wear there are the cosmetics to consider. Your cheap Kombi can a paint job, rugs and carpets, new upholstery, and the particular front seats may need attention.
On the comfort of doors new door seals and window seals may be required to stop rattles and appear drafts. The heater can some attention. On the actual Kombi the heater converter cables had seized. That didn't worry although i until I moved from a hot the majority of the country to a a certain amount colder area where burning heat get below freezing in the winter months.
On the plus side parts are out there. For my Kombi, times 1976 2 liter equipment, I have been very likely to buy every part I have needed additional to carby spray nozzles, and even then I was able to get by with regions of a different model VW.
My opinion is that despite often the repairs and restoration, Volkswagen Kombis can nonetheless be a practical daily authorised driver. You do need to accept whereas your purchase price is only a section of the story, and that it is recommended to spend time and the capital bringing your classic Kombi back to a comfortable and safe condition.
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