VW Westfalia Camper Tour / Walkaround - EJ25 Subaru Swapped

This is a walk around and fairly thorough discussion about everything I have done to my 1982 Westalia VW to get it where it is today. He's not perfect, and has some scars, but he works well for us and allows us to travel comfortably and reliably.
Leave comments with questions below and don’t forget to subscribe!
Common questions and the basics:
-1982 Westafalia (born as a diesel)
-DIY Subaru Swapped with a 2001 EJ25 using a Rocky Mountain Westy conversion kit
-RMW SS exhaust
-Transmission from an '84 and regeard 3rd (1.13) and 4th (.77)
-Shwenk Springs with spacers/shims
-Bilstein XHD shocks
-BFG 215, 75/15 A/T tires
-15" Rhein wheels
-T3 Techniques HD steering
-Big Shot shifter
Feel free to post questions in the comments below!

[@mudbrik2805]

Thank you for taking the time showing your awesome ‘82 Westy, it’s truly appreciated. I love your personal touches on the cabinets and how you made it work to your needs. And yes, the magnet gadgets are awesome!!!

[@VanagonGeek]

Thank you!🙏

[@shawncurtis3686]

Practical well thought out mods. 👍

[@VanagonGeek]

Thank you! 🙏

[@AlexGauthier]

Great build! I've been sitting on my Grandpa's 84.5" full camper for a while now. Trying to get the money together to give it a new life. He bought his in Germany and took it all over Europe, North Africa before bringing it home to Mill Valley. Then he took it all over North America. Definitely planning to steal some ideas from you 🙂

[@VanagonGeek]

They are fun to restore and super simple. I highly recommend diving in!

[@Hathasolar1]

Thanks Bud! I've got an 87 tin top passenger syncro that I've camped out of for 15 years or so. Still flogging that stock 2.1 wasserboxer. Great to see all your mods and tips and tricks. Travel Well!

[@metalcloakmike]

Thanks for watching! The tin tops do just fine as long as you don't need to stand up. I almost bought a TT Syncro a few years back, but then ran across the deal on the diesel.

[@user-iw4oy7yk1j]

That is an awesome you did it up real well from what I see I wouldn't mind having one just like it

[@csmith785]

You accomplished your goal. I figured it was a '90 when I clicked on the video.

[@VanagonGeek]

Thanks! 🙏

[@Kojak-zh7qo]

Brilliant video thanks really enjoyed it,what a beautiful van love everything you done I would love a van like this ;thanks for sharing 👍

[@stephenrogers9664]

So love your channel, & finally got to have a good look at your van. Totally fantastic build 👍👍

[@VanagonGeek]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@robertcella3225]

Excellent vid.

[@ambienteterrazas]

Cool van, i've had plenty of old VW's but never a Vanagon, when i started looking into them the prices skyrocketed, nice build everything seems to be purpose built congrats!

[@VanagonGeek]

thank you and I appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@rrtds9378]

Very nice Vanagon. I bought an ‘86 Weekender with a Bostig Ford engine. I wish i have the time and knowledge to do suspension replacements such as bushings or adding diesel heater.

[@VanagonGeek]

Thanks you! Suspension isn’t too difficult unless you’re adding lift springs and then it become more challenging. Bushings themselves are easy once the springs are out. The diesel heater is pretty simple as well, just plumbing and wiring, but finding a good spot takes some time.

[@lobsanggyamtso3635]

I love it you did a great job on it

[@VanagonGeek]

Thank you!🙏

[@paulgardner4931]

Its a cracking van🤙

[@gampbell808]

Thanks for the vid, great van. I’m thinking of doing the diesel heater with fuel tank in the same spot. Would you mind dropping a link to the tank you’re using. I assume you used the same tank fittings n parts the heater came with?

[@VanagonGeek]

Yeah, I was able to do the whole install with what the 5kw came with although I opted for a fuel tank what was short and long as opposed to the tall skinny version.

[@dta97392]

Nice upgrades/ I have a 1982 westy with-a 2.2 suberu in it/ good engine/ 16” Ko2 tires/ 5 speed Subaru Trany/. I have had it about 1 1/2 yrs/ I enjoy it, it’s just me and the westy/ I am interested in those motion sensor lights you showed. Do you know the name of them or link? thx David (I live in Oregon)

[@VanagonGeek]

I got them on Amazon… and they are super handy. a.co/d/dEH1in9

[@justindillon2694]

Awesome van! I live in California as well and I just got a 1982 Diesel westy. How did you go about the registration process for your van? Did you have to drive your car to the DMV for registration papers etc even though it’s smogged exempt in California ? Thanks!

[@VanagonGeek]

It was a simple reg being that it was already reg’d in CA. I’ve never had any issues. 🤷‍♂️

[@justindillon2694]

@@VanagonGeek well that’s good! Did you have to drive the car to the dmv to register it ? Since it’s smogged exempt, did they need to see that it was in fact a diesel or do you just send paper in?

[@VanagonGeek]

No, it was just paperwork at the DMV. Didn’t have to take the van in.

[@stevewest8219]

What brand jack mount do you have or did you build it? I want to mount mine on my front bumper. Great walk though thank you

[@VanagonGeek]

I made my own with the help of a good friend. They are just tabs welded on for it to bolt to.

[@solkru]

Is there a 4x4 version of this van ?

[@millsman19]

What was that front upper control bushings from GoWesty?

[@VanagonGeek]

Here ya go: gowesty.com/products/front-suspension-bushing-set?_pos=2&_sid=1258b8892&_ss=r

[@wilfredscherpenzeel8764]

What brand did you fit in stead of Fiama?

[@VanagonGeek]

I use the ARB 8’ touring awning. 6+ years and it still works great!

[@nicksantosTV]

What is your cruising rpm at 70/75mph with no grade?

[@VanagonGeek]

I think I’m around 3200 at those speeds. I’ll double check next time I have it out.

[@michaelcarpenter8769]

Hey Mike, how tall are you? Do you find your Westy uncomfortable to drive?

[@VanagonGeek]

Im 6’2” and we sleep with our heads at the back (quite comfortably)

[@VanagonGeek]

On the lower bunk

[@michaelcarpenter8769]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I meant the driving overall. Is the drivers seat uncomfortable being a tall man?

[@metalcloakmike]

Sorry, I didn’t have my glasses on. 😊. No, I find it oddly comfortable to be honest. We’ve done multiple trips where I was in the seat for 6-8hrs at a time and no problem. A fancy recarro would probably feel better but these seats do just fine and I don’t feel like I’m too big in there.

[@michaelcarpenter8769]

Thanks again Mike! I enjoy your material, keep it coming my friend!

[@millsman19]

Van stow for the dash, who are they?

[@VanagonGeek]

I believe it came from Gowesty about 4-5 years ago. Not sure if they still Sell them or not

[@javierlp624]

as jodido una vw t3 por dentro amigo gringo

[@user-rg1lx8yt6g]

From an unreliable engine to a slightly less unreliable engine. Good build tho

[@VanagonGeek]

6 years on this motor, and zero issues 👍🏽

[@paulallen3031]

Lost interest when he started calling a van him

[@VanagonGeek]

Well… the last van was a “she” so I decided to mix it up. 😉

[@user-qe2xt7dn6s]

@@VanagonGeek How do you know its a "he" or "she" ?