Onward!

So, onward from my first intro post!!  Seems I have some pageviews too which I was actually a little surprised about.  The Iphone app seemed to be working pretty well for viewing which is a nice surprise.  I still need to see how the posting from my phone works.  

Now, after my wife and I agreed on getting a bus (initially a sprinter van actually), I needed to do my research, set a budget, save up the cash, and buy one.  So, since sprinters were just way to expensive outright, I did a bit of research into vanagons and then tried to find a good starter van.  I even was looking into small diesel trucks.  One of the key things that I kept to my side as a requirement, was that I would NOT buy any type of vehicle that didnt have at least 30% intrinsic value.  Meaning I could sell it for 30% more than what I bought and put into it. 

After looking around and making some phone calls, I bought a 1982 Diesel vanagon. It came with a clean title, 82k miles, and a rusty & dirty mug only a mother could love. 

---------old forum posts below from feb of 2013----------------------------
I have been slowly working on shiggles (cold in the garage with no heat in the winter....) but now that I have insulation above my head and an extra hair dryer for heat, I have gotten some stuff done!!

So far, I think i'm coming along very nicely. Just to explain some things about the van first....

I bought the van for $2900 in Ohio. It is running, but has some coolant leaks up in the front (no surprise there) so I had to get a car hauler/truck to get her home. The interior is IMMACULATE!!! Perfect, almost untouched interior. Everything original, all accessories included, a real eye opener and a pleasure to view from the inside......

Thats where the nice stuff stops. The outside was just, battered? Rust in a lot of the usual places and the whole exterior just needs a new coat of paint. There is only rust penetrating a few spots on the body, which are very easy to access and wont be bad to repair. The underbelly of the van was coated by the factory/original dealership paid by the first owner (im the third owner). This undercoating has just started to fall off, which means Beautiful blue paint is showing (no rust)!!!! WOO!!!!

So, seems pretty simple yeah? Do a maintenance overhaul on the motor/trans, pull the windows/doors/top and de-rust, then paint, and finally, upgrade all utilities and add all of the gadgets that you would want in a vanagon!

I know, sounds SO easy right? I know how projects go......and how long they take. I have set myself some deadlines though and I want the whole car ready to move and run by the time summers over. This is my first vehicle restoration and im a total noob but, I really do love this van so far. I will admit I am very happy with how EASY these vehicles are to work on. Want that off? OKAY, just undo a few screws, and boom, its off! I love it. So that has made things a breeze to take apart and put back on.
 
To date, Feb 3rd 2013, I have finished a few things.

Ive pulled the camper top off, Interior is mainly out, rear door is off, pulled the motor and trans, pulled out all of the windows (front windshield was broken before I started and I couldnt keep the crack small....whoops), currently pulling out the rear door window, and then onto whatever else I feel like tonight.

I need to work on the trans and motor though, anything that I should take care of while I have the whole thing sitting on a table? Clutch? (starter seems rebuilt) New fuel lines?

THANKS!!!

Jim