PROS and CONS of Travelling in a VINTAGE VW T3 VAN | VANLIFE CONFESSIONS

Living and travelling in a van is one thing, but doing it in an OLD van is another! In this video we take you through our pros and cons of doing vanlife in a vintage van as we celebrate 6 months of living in our 1982 VW T3 van, Vance.
Follow our journey between video uploads on Instagram:
/ kendallbaggerly
/ glennferguson_
TikTok: @kendallandglenn
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[@bagpussuk]

Thanks for this video! I'm looking at my first T3 or T4 and the more and more I watch videos like yours, the more I want a T3. Thanks :)

[@martinfrylink4252]

Just bought our T3 - 'Smurfy'. Can you guess what colour lol. 1990 square headlight Caravelle. It was love at first sight. Re, mechanical problems... yup. Just bought it, while driving it home for the first time I had to fill it with petrol. Fuel poured out of the top of the tank (broken grommets and seals). Then the speedo stopped working. Haha! But I was expecting to find these sort of issues along the way (just not driving it home). The thing I miss most about not driving a newer van is the aircon. But even these can be retro fitted. Such a cool car with awesome vintage vibe. My first drive with Smurfy was to the tip. The first guy who pulled up next to me was all over it like stink on a monkey. He loved it! So blessed to have our T3.

[@KendallandGlenn]

It really is a good feeling shared amongst all t3 owners! So cool to meet more people in the same boat as us, that love our vans even with the 'interesting' issues we get along the way haha. Thanks for the comment Martin

[@slimpickins3425]

You guys are so right on about the differences of a modern Sprinter type vehicle compared to a vintage VW. Sure you have the reliability in a new camper, but they definitely dont turn heads like a VW will. I have owned my Westfalia going on 40 yrs, I bought it new out of the showroom, my 3 kids grew up camping in it, and to be honest having 5 of us in it was never a issue. It went through a time of being stored, but in the last 5 yrs I have restored just about every system on Betsy, and though mostly local, I drive her just about everyday, And always have a smile on my face remembering all those great times. I thought about a Sprinter so I could go anywhere worry free, but I think Ill stick with my Betsy!

[@KendallandGlenn]

That is so amazing that you’ve had Betsy since the very start!! You must have such great memories throughout those years. There really is something so special about owning one of these!

[@garrieferguson9068]

Another refreshingly natural and informative video. You guys are so watchable!!!🤗👏🏻

[@Katyob7]

Totally agree! Other couple vloggers can be so cringe to watch, these guys are awesome!

[@TheOutFit]

Thanks guys for featuring us, it was a nice surprise! Vance is a legend 🤙We miss you!

[@KendallandGlenn]

We couldn’t talk about 4WDs without mentioning you guys! ☺️🙌🏼

[@urhovw]

Pros number 101 - no need to check coolant level 👍

[@KendallandGlenn]

urhovw true!!! ☺️🙌🏼

[@garyp.7501]

Well since the coolant is the oil you better check that often! I put an oil temperature gauge and external oil cooler on it mine. If the temperature starts to spike check the oil level!

[@spirosnik2651]

#1 con = technical issues you can install, heating and air con, make it run fast (enough) and all, but it is quite difficult not having a lot of technical issues...

[@acidicbricks6966]

Look at the t3 syncro 4x4 with pop top

[@leskouts2]

nice video guys....summed it up perfectly. Enjoy

[@pavblack62]

Love your videos.keep it up..👍I'm yours new fan from🇰🇭

[@xxfreeskixx]

Nice Video guys! But you know that there is a 4x4 version of the Vw T3? Its called Syncro, and is by far better off road than most brand new SUV‘s. Just Sayin

[@pantologist2216]

you should get a diesel heater for heating. For aircon is still a problem as solar power cannot run A/C

[@mrsmithgarage8115]

Is there an episode that you talk about your air cooled motor? I don’t thing I’ve ever seen your motor in an episode. I have had an ‘82 tin top for a few years and just picked up an ‘81 Westfalia that is getting “reborn”

[@kooklook]

I think another "Con" would be the lack of driving comfort, in terms of the driving position, maybe the seats (they might not recline very much) but most importantly the lack of Cruise Control (for those long trips).

[@KendallandGlenn]

Thankfully we don't struggle too much with it. It's a little annoying not being able to change the recline but we haven't minded. Cruise control would definitely make life easier when we are covering such large distances that's for sure!

[@garyp.7501]

You can upgrade the seats to Ricaro which makes it way more comfortable for the passenger. The driver side is blocked by the sink unit so you can't recline all that far. Still not a cheap option.

[@neddyladdy]

Cons of living, eh, this will be funny.

[@garyp.7501]

For a 2WD van that you want to upgrade to dirt roads, you can lift for more clearance it by swapping the springs to add 1 1/2" height, add positraction and A/T Tires. You'll probably also want to upgrade the rims as well from the 14" to 16". I also swapped the upper control arms for the Burley Motor Sports ones. It won't go "off road" but it will handle nearly any dirt road. This does make it a little taller, so that you now need to stay under 7ft. but most stateside car garages have that clearance. (not my garage through!)

[@garyp.7501]

Oh yeah, for more wilderness travel you'll want to add a front and rear hitch, primarily so that you can pull it out when you get stuck. That means upgrading the bumpers. And then with the lifted van you'll want a hi-lift jack so you can still change the tire in any kind of spot you are stuck in. The standard jack will work on a hard surface but you are at the upper limits. And you might consider getting a bottle jack for a backup and ditching the regular one. safejacks.com has a nice kit which doubles as a jack stand. Good for working under the van. And you'll want to get some MaxTrak's, and a shovel. Oh yeah, a snatch strap, some shackles and either a winch or 30ft of chain and the Hi-lift chain pull for self rescue. Oh yeah those gizmos for reducing your tire pressure for more traction, then a pump to reinflate the tires when you return to civilization. (a bicycle pump will work, but it's more time and effort.) The simple life gets more complex the more you try to leave civilization behind! BTW, I love your interior build out.

[@KendallandGlenn]

You won't believe it but that's exactly what we've done! haha. Got lifted springs, fox shocks, AT tyres and maxxtrax. Still gotta get a few more goodies here and there but we are well and truly ready for WA!

[@garyp.7501]

@@KendallandGlenn With the lifted springs it apparently puts more wear on the rubber boots on the CV joints. So keep an eye on those. You can also tear them by hitting a rock.

[@KendallandGlenn]

@@garyp.7501 Yeah that's why we lifted the front and just put stiffer springs in the back so its well within adaptable range of the CV joints thankfully.

[@JulianaJones]

Your van has white door handles. Did you put them on there, are they painted or did you get them somewhere? I'd love some for my T3.

[@UrbanReviews]

Kudos to both of you for hitting the road for life's journey! Your Con #1 is subjective though.. ;-) My T3 Syncro (instagram.com/vw_vandiesel) Van Diesel would be to differ! ;-) LOL Stay safe and soak it up! I retire in a little over a year and I've already told my wife that I'm hitting the road for 3-6 months!

[@KendallandGlenn]

Thanks Chris! What a great idea. Get out there and explore!

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

Find a Japanese engine..

[@garyp.7501]

These old air cooled engines are not an easy Japanese motor switch. They don't have the plumbing for the radiator.