Upgrading the VW Vanagon Westfalia: Building a Custom Air Filter System | Living The Van Life

[@conarc-d1037]

I almost enjoy these types of videos as much as the bad weather ones!

[@comegowithMEE]

That Donaldson is a fantastic idea. That's the same type of filter system John Deere uses except they have a 2 filter system (a filter inside a filter). Like you, I've spent my time with equipment except it was forestry equipment. If you "service" that filter, get a air nozzle and blow it out from the inside. It will clean it up pretty well. We used to run that forestry equipment in so much dust we would have to blow out the filters twice a day. And welcome back Chad. Love the videos!

[@ArchangelMichael.]

As always welcome back chad!!! It’s amazing seeing you still active and watching your amazing videos!!!

[@DennyReichard]

Great place to mount a plastic intake. Limbs are never dragging along that part of the vehicle.

[@danielknepper6884]

Everybody loves Chad from living the van life

[@ManxAndy]

Agreed….👍🇮🇲👌

[@RosieSanjose-wj4qn]

Yesssss

[@jamesberggren9029]

No I don't. The guy is a tool.

[@ivanjazvic6603]

I thougt so. You can do everything you want. Here, the rest of the planet has rules to comply for...

[@ravimtts]

No, I don't love him. I just envy him

[@SlowStart_jp]

It's a great channel. Vanagon is the best companion. thank you.

[@MrmultiJeep]

Chad, just when I thought your ORIGINAL channel was doomed, you go and COMPLETELY redeem yourself by bringing back that beautiful VANAGON with those amazing two upgrades (Engine & Air filtration system)! As I mentioned before, I owned a 1985 VANAGON Camper which I regret selling, but I’m waiting for that new VW I.D. Buzz to restart my adventures so I can keep on truckin’!

[@tomguertin7713]

Awesome job Chad. You have to be someone that can think out of the box and modify things to work for you.

[@robertdavis5714]

Westfalia only way to go. Will be my choice without question.

[@bigwangmark]

Nice video and nice air filter mod. I would not trust that flex tube though. It's too thin walled and easy to damage including from heat in the engine bay. I have seen flex tube collapse in on itself from the pressure created when the engine is working hard and the temps have gone up and made flextube plastic softer. Yours might be fine but still I would look at replacing it with something better. In australia we tend to use stainless steel tubing to make the best snorkel set ups but not sure what sort of accessibility you have on the van to put in a metal tube set up. Part stainless tubing along with intercooling tubing for bends should be something though that could be fitted.

[@DavurBeder]

The original air venting goes to those louvers so they kinda come standard with a snorkel, i was on a road trip round iceland with my vanagon and a friend drove a mazda pickup and alone the height of the vanagon intake made a huge difference, i cleaned my filter every fourth time he cleaned his!

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

love the Donaldson pre-cleaner system

[@faceup9257]

You are making you old VW van younger and stronger bit by bit. Please show us a full 360 view of your interior and exterior someday

[@Waltygo87]

I agree! I would love a new up to date 360 in and out of the vanagon!

[@southhillfarm2795]

Some good advice on the air cleaner. This is definitely the right way to go. One of the reasons I liked my 1987 VW cargo van was due to the rear engine iwas very quiet.

[@craighoeme4845]

We use Donaldson Air filtration systems on all our diesel irrigation engines on our farm. They are a excellent system and we have used them for years with no issues.

[@christopherharris6005]

Awesome video as always Chad. Living The Vanlife is such a awesome channel.

[@silkysmooth7900]

Thanks Chad!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

That’s such an incredibly good solution, I’d love to see you review how it performs after a good few miles. I can’t imagine much dust getting in at all. Also it obviously means water ingress on river crossings is a non issue

[@vincentsmalley3073]

Bam! Nailed it perfectly

[@janturzanski]

Great to see you sharing your experience and knowledge! I was walking my dog along an irrigation canal behind my house when I met a gentleman walking his dog and noticed he was driving a Vanagon and asked about it. He had it for years and has a Suby conversion. We talked about it and I told him about your TDI transplant and he was interested in checking out your upgrade and your awesome KZbin channel!

[@songbird788]

Chad,, you are one smart dude. I would van life with you anytime...❣️

[@DaPepster]

As a former lube tech, I highly approve of your air intake mods on this Vanagon~ B-)

[@MegaRetr]

Awesome job Chad.

[@sharonjohnsonart]

Hello, Chad, Living the Van Life! Congratulations on your new built and your new design! Keep on trucking! 🙏🏾❤️🚐🧰🎉

[@Syncrogreg]

Amazing addition to the Boxeer TDI kit!! Thank you for your clean explanation 💯👌

[@bradnewby5695]

Nice out of the box thinking.

[@RajinderKumar-lg4xz]

Great idea and health improvement to the heart of your car and extending it up top and with the pre filter!❤🇬🇧👍🏽

[@ManxAndy]

Evening Chad….320k on that van is impressive, even with the engine swaps, my little VW caddy van, only has 64k and it’s 12 yrs old….so the Vanigan is looking great..👍😜🇮🇲👌

[@facelesssman]

Awesome…. Looks like VanagonLife is out of the bracket….. I’ll have to check back…. Thanks for the video!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@OverlandCitrus]

Nice Mod Chad great job

[@carlosmartoral6268]

Smart build!

[@oscarmarfori613]

Your videos have that professional videography even the music scoring is on point 👍

[@willemdodgerford5782]

Cool. Cant wait for the next adventure in the VW

[@05Dragon1]

YES! This is what I was looking for.

[@drott150]

Great video and highly informative. I enjoy the Vanagon videos better than the Mercedes ones. More grass roots and normal guy accessible van-lifing IMO.

[@langley1400]

Great to see a video coming thru! I had just finished watching the Baja 1000 video 👍

[@LivingTheVanLife]

That's awesome! The Baja 1000 video is one of my favorites!

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

THIS VIDEO MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. MY SUBURBAN HAS 250,000

[@jaystewart9947]

Great modification. I have a similar filter system (Donaldson) on my Kubota tractor

[@nemoscamperadventures7563]

Chads back and really enjoyed this engine insight

[@ruchiramunjal6061]

Great !! Welcome Back Chad.

[@OzTrax4X4]

Hey Chad Have you considered sealing off the open space around the engine? Potentially an aluminium (yep, I'm Australian haha) bashplate of some degree? That dust and dirt will eventually destroy your alternator too, and that could be a real problem when you're remote.

[@richardfernandes4199]

This van is emotion🎉

[@TheMightsparrow]

Glad you haven't abandoned the old girl ☝️

[@avsinghkahlon9999]

Nice video. I like this van of yours

[@Dr_Dude]

no meal?! great to see another of your videos Chad

[@adventureswithgnomie6553]

Great Mod on the VW.

[@avinashbharat5558]

Nice to see you once again bro....

[@ScottyAZUSA]

As perfect as it can get! Maybe even a little more positive pressure at the inlet (versus the turbulence in the engine compatrtment), and increased velocity through the rest of the elongated system. Thanks Chad.

[@acdc8175]

Amazing! Love the Vanagon content!

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

Very cool...

[@takiman1]

We always use pressured air to clean the filters at the end of the day. Those filters Will last a long time if you clean them. Discharging woodchips from vessels whith a Volvo L90. It gets a bit dusty.

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

AWESOME CHAD.

[@erichughes9098]

Thanks for your video, keep up with the great videos 😎👍

[@rickpierce475]

This video is wonderful! I am in the process of putting a Jetta motor in my (previously diesel) vanagon, and building the vanagon to be driven off-road quite often. I do not want to sacrifice my new engine to the dust my vanagon will see. I should have similar room on the passenger side of the engine bay, except for the fact that the diesel version has the starter battery in the right rear corner of the engine compartment. So, I will have to deal with that. I would really like to get Donaldson part numbers for the filter assemblies that you used. I went on to VanagonLife's website to find that bracket, but had no luck. Today is Saturday, but I guess I can email him to find out details on getting a bracket made. Thanks for the video! Rick P

[@keithexum7312]

Looks good nice installed. You could also install a restriction gauge on that Donelson housing .

[@thedestroyeriscomingtm5568]

Are you getting ready for this winter trip let’s go 👍🏾

[@troymilks7342]

That corrugated flex duct has a surprising amount of restriction.

[@212caboose]

It would be cool if someone would design and 3d print a new louvre cover that has an integrated hose hook up, so it's a cleaner install...

[@JL-007]

Westy rules!

[@TerryOwens-s8w]

I wanted to thank you for showing me the world that I always wanted to see I am not able to travel to all these places I love it. I even get afraid of the heights makes me think how did he make this world so beautiful. You go slow enough to allow me time to see everything the whole time eating great food. I found you by mistake (according to the Lord above) everything happens for a reason and it does. I really enjoy your travels. Ever coming to va? 7:41

[@christianwinkelmann8477]

Well done, but it’s all done like it is buy the Syncro dune from the factory just a little bigger, found a Zyklon from the Syncro in my cubby the other day it’s for sale now.

[@scottkemp3154]

Glad to se😅e the volkswagon van i like both vans but each has something unique about them

[@SparkleBearMusic]

I kind of stopped watching when you left the Vanagon… so glad it’s back in action! So, did you have to make a custom engine lid for the protruding corner of the new engine?

[@RosieSanjose-wj4qn]

Missed u Chad with your cinematic videos

[@maukamaki]

looking great!

[@VanagonSyncro-wj1sn]

Great job done Chad ! Super nice solution - lots of adjustments done but result looks impressive! Just one question: why did you keep to automatic transmission and did not switch to manual gear (4+G)? Would have been ideal moment when doing the Boxeer switch. Regards from Germany with a US Vanagon Gl Syncro re-imported 🫶

[@STAWR28]

the filter is good, but I also recommend making engine protection to extend the life of the pulley and belt

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

WE USED HUGE FILTERS LIKE THIS ON OUR TURBO TRUCKS.

[@Fettuccine]

Hey Chad! Fairly new to this air filter system. What clamps did you use as well as the flex tubing? Are they available via Amazon? Also why loop it around the engine and not just go up throw the driver side? Cheers man,

[@ricoolivier]

You got a mention on 4xOverland by Andrew StPierre-White. Seems looking to do a podcast collaboration. Would love to hear your stories!!!

[@ianham]

What does Greg think? Is this going to be an option note for the TDI swap?

[@frankys.1893]

In Germany, the TÜV (technical inspection association) would go nuts over this! In Germany, you have to get every change, every addition, everything you do to the car, basically, past the association, they have to approve it.

[@weswarren5987]

Big Peace Sign!!!!!

[@Daermos]

So with that type of intake, I'm assuming the air turbulence from the corrugated line isn't a issue? Just curious

[@grahamhayden9770]

Yep, I was thinking the same. Better with a pvc plumbing pipe or steel tube, I think!

[@paulallen3031]

Interesting that most of the videos are involving the vw again, which makes it much more appealing to me , the vw was the original reason I started following, keep up the good work 👏

[@tylerpippin8129]

Hey Chad! Where can I find the air filter attached to your gutter rail, I can't seem to find it anywhere? thank you!

[@ahmetozdilek1355]

Where have you been ? We missed you 🎉 greetings from Turkey 🇹🇷 🇺🇸

[@MarcusAurileus]

Your van is pretty awesome. I've wondered if you have ever thought of doing a 4x4 conversion?

[@LivingTheVanLife]

I certainly have. There is just too much involved and too much to go wrong. It gets me everywhere where I need to go with it in it’s 2WD

[@Spicy-q3h]

Awesome

[@scottschultz687]

You should run a pre filter on that filter!

[@King_TuTT]

no front and rear axle lockers??? thats a must have for me!!

[@khkg2855]

สุรักษ์❤❤THE❤❤FC❤❤

[@statseasy4780]

Hey Chad, how did you modify the engine cover to clear that intercooler? Did you ever happen to show that in one of your videos?

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

Some more detail on the part where/how the flexible hose enters the van until the engine bay would be nice, how do you secure it place, the openings, etc.

[@stoneyvanwie6042]

They have rear corner vents at top of both rear corners for air cooling . He brought tubing down one side.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

@@stoneyvanwie6042 tnx

[@jasonstratton6422]

What was the engine cover you came up with?

[@wikkidklown]

I take it that the engine cover no longer fits with that boxeer TDI huh? I know their gasoline engine says it fits in the product description but not the diesel

[@59vaughn]

While you may have some nice new components..that kn was setup to fail....send it to me by the way....the key is to pull from less dirty air..mostly up front and high..kudos to your travels....

[@jasper_north]

Like the ULTRA APPLE watch… good commercial.

[@don76able]

Good job chad, like if it rains hard, will the rain water flow down the hose into the van?

[@uritaub5441]

I think next step is going synchro?

[@matt_salerno]

How does the engine cover fit with the engine sticking up that high?

[@tycoonruler6455]

If not wrong the entire piping and new donalson filter could have been avoided by just adding a tubing over the existing air filter and then connecting the same to the top mounted filter. The results would be 90% or more same (longer passage of air to the engine might reduce dust however it will increase engine load as the engine has to suck the air from a long way, which might result in engine overheating and burning more oil and fuel).

[@dravenwerkswanderer5169]

👍😎

[@rcjames5286]

👍👍

[@rlucerin28]

Is heat going to be an issue with that tubing running right behind the engine? You wouldn't want to be sucking in really hot air.

[@MsHappyeman]

whats that nfity tool bag hanging in the bag and where do i get one ? :)

[@ivanjazvic6603]

What about homologation when conversion is done and all that additional stuf you added? Is it legal on the road?

[@LivingTheVanLife]

That does not apply to anything in the USA

[@daftDAFdriver]

Do u still use the sprinter van ? u have not featured it for a while 👍

[@LivingTheVanLife]

Yes. Most certainly have the sprinter van. I just released 3 videos featuring the sprinter van in the past 2 months.

[@gvgk55]

Off topic, what happened to the dog?

[@brent8134]

'Pre-Cleaner gutter mount' link doesn't take me to it. Apologies if ive missed something here.

[@LivingTheVanLife]

Contact Dave at Vanagon Life. The link takes you to his website