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!!!

[@robertdavis5714]

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

[@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.

[@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’!

[@okiedoke6373]

I've been needing to do the same thing with my welding machine and you're right that high flow filter you gots not high flow for off-road either or commercial use clean air on a racetrack that's where that's meant to be

[@DennyReichard]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@sharonjohnsonart]

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

[@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!

[@tomguertin7713]

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

[@MegaRetr]

Awesome job Chad.

[@ChristopherHarris6005]

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

[@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

[@nemoscamperadventures7563]

Chads back and really enjoyed this engine insight

[@avinashbharat5558]

Nice to see you once again bro....

[@oscarmarfori613]

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

[@jaystewart9947]

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

[@Syncrogreg]

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

[@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..👍😜🇮🇲👌

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

love the Donaldson pre-cleaner system

[@SlowStart_jp]

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

[@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.

[@RajinderKumar-lg4xz]

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

[@ianham]

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

[@hastingshastings72]

Improving on the boxeer design…… yeah that’s awesome! I wonder if Greg has started to do this with his conversions

[@richardfernandes4199]

This van is emotion🎉

[@facelesssman]

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

[@acdc8175]

Amazing! Love the Vanagon content!

[@keithexum7312]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@willemdodgerford5782]

Cool. Cant wait for the next adventure in the VW

[@DaPepster]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@songbird788]

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

[@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!

[@ruchiramunjal6061]

Great !! Welcome Back Chad.

[@adventureswithgnomie6553]

Great Mod on the VW.

[@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,

[@05Dragon1]

YES! This is what I was looking for.

[@vincentsmalley3073]

Bam! Nailed it perfectly

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

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

[@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...

[@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.

[@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?

[@erichughes9098]

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

[@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 🫶

[@bradnewby5695]

Nice out of the box thinking.

[@STAWR28]

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

[@TheMightsparrow]

Glad you haven't abandoned the old girl ☝️

[@avsinghkahlon9999]

Nice video. I like this van of yours

[@ahmetozdilek1355]

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

[@OverlandCitrus]

Nice Mod Chad great job

[@carlosmartoral6268]

Smart build!

[@silkysmooth7900]

Thanks Chad!

[@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!

[@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

[@RosieSanjose-wj4qn]

Missed u Chad with your cinematic videos

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

AWESOME CHAD.

[@Dr_Dude]

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

[@khkg2855]

สุรักษ์❤❤THE❤❤FC❤❤

[@maukamaki]

looking great!

[@thedestroyeriscomingtm5568]

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

[@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

[@troymilks7342]

That corrugated flex duct has a surprising amount of restriction.

[@ricoolivier]

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

[@don76able]

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

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

Very cool...

[@King_TuTT]

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

[@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 👏

[@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

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

WE USED HUGE FILTERS LIKE THIS ON OUR TURBO TRUCKS.

[@weswarren5987]

Big Peace Sign!!!!!

[@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

[@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.

[@jasonstratton6422]

What was the engine cover you came up with?

[@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....

[@JL-007]

Westy rules!

[@scottschultz687]

You should run a pre filter on that filter!

[@matt_salerno]

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

[@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.

[@MsHappyeman]

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

[@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

[@SpicyReplays]

Awesome

[@AmusedDaffodils-mz5rw]

That is so cool chad

[@uritaub5441]

I think next step is going synchro?

[@nelson4483]

Are there no synchro T3s in the US?

[@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

[@amrinderbahl]

The air flow path is too long. Dont you think the air pressure will drop by the time it reaches the turbo?

[@LivingTheVanLife]

Yes. Probably. And will most likely detune the engine. Which is perfectly fine for me because it is already too much power for the drive train. It has balanced out just fine.

[@cactusbleu1255]

Hi , is it possible to know what's happened about the poor dog you found in the Arizona desert ? We worry about him .......😮‍💨🤥

[@LivingTheVanLife]

Certainly. Thanks for asking. Watch this short:

[@LivingTheVanLife]

I found a dog! Here’s an update. #livingthevanlife #vanlife kzbin.infoeuzR8hVlrvI?feature=share

[@cactusbleu1255]

Ooh thank you , it's great !! A big kiss to your mom , many thanks , we are reassured , he's so cute ! 🥰❤❤@@LivingTheVanLife

[@ginny709]

What ever happened to the dog you find in the desert? any update

[@LivingTheVanLife]

He lives full time with my mom and her dog.

[@dezmod1644]

Would you really need the precleaner