Looking for Shadetree mechanic for vanagon conversion

Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Location
Oakland CA
TDI
97 Jetta
Hi All,
I've lost my garage space where I was about to do a 98 AHU swap into my vanagon. I've been planning and collecting parts to do the conversion for years and I probably have 95% of everything I need to complete it. I don't want to put the project on hold so I'm looking for someone who can do the swap for me. I'm not in a rush to get it done so time isn't an issue. It'd be ideal if I could find someone who's done vanagon swaps before and understands the process. My van runs OK now and I'm willing to load it up with the parts and deliver it to somewhere in my region. I'm in the SF bay area and I've looked as far as Idaho for someone to take on the project. Any recommendations for individuals or shops would be much appreciated. Reply to this or thread or PM me if interested. Thanks in advance.
 

eddieleephd

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 27, 2012
Location
Battle Ground, Wa
TDI
2002 jetta Wagon
First person that comes to mind is quite a bit closer to me than you.
If I were to want to do this myself, I might consider using a storage unit for the work. Pick the right one and have air conditioning.

Sent from my Armor_2 using Tapatalk
 

Zeitgeist

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2004
Location
Cascadia
TDI
'04 Variant and Vanagon mTDI
When you say 95% of the parts to do this, does this include a re-geared transmission? I'm in WA, and have experience with several of these swaps.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Location
Oakland CA
TDI
97 Jetta
Yes, I have had the trans rebuilt, re-geared and beefed up to accommodate the TDI. I’ve had the wiring harness modified by David Marshall, the head reconditioned and upgraded by Frank06 along with many other upgrades to make a sweet freeway flying machine.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Location
Oakland CA
TDI
97 Jetta
I should say that 95% of the parts means ALL the parts to do the conversion not just the motor parts. Parts I don’t have are things like intercooler hoses and fuel line from filter to pump. Things that seem to be unique to each conversion but are easy to source.
 

Zeitgeist

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2004
Location
Cascadia
TDI
'04 Variant and Vanagon mTDI
If the current engine is a gasser, then the fuel tank needs to be dropped and flushed/resealed or replaced. There are tons of little trip-ups that you don't think of unless you've done this kinda thing a few times...and even then. Each install is different. Mine sits at 15 degrees, but I assume you're planning on using the stock diesel kit, so it will sit at 50 degrees. Whomever you choose, be very clear about your expectations, your budget, and the timeline. I've seen lots of these kind of projects go haywire because the scope and scale of the adventure was never nailed down. It's always best to avoid bad juju from the outset.
 

Steve Addy

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Location
Iowa
TDI
97 Mk3
If the current engine is a gasser, then the fuel tank needs to be dropped and flushed/resealed or replaced. There are tons of little trip-ups that you don't think of unless you've done this kinda thing a few times...and even then. Each install is different. Mine sits at 15 degrees, but I assume you're planning on using the stock diesel kit, so it will sit at 50 degrees. Whomever you choose, be very clear about your expectations, your budget, and the timeline. I've seen lots of these kind of projects go haywire because the scope and scale of the adventure was never nailed down. It's always best to avoid bad juju from the outset.
Ditto everything you've said, and not just for Vanagon projects but anything that pushes the limit of what people can accommodate for time or money is often abandoned because there's little follow-through.

Just take a look at Vortex at all the half-finished projects up for sale.

Many people either don't understand the complexity of what they're getting involved in or they don't have the tenacity to see it through. Or the final killer is they don't have the $$ to make the jump to completion. Often the $$ is due to overspending on non-essential project stuff vs spending on the bare essentials.

Good luck finding someone to put this one together, it's a bit of a challenge and pretty challenging.

Steve
 
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