Audrey’s Vanagon

[Audrey Jones]

#28216

Yeah, 12 mph isn’t awesome, If we could do something to help it that would be cool! But it’s also the price to pay to have this big heavy bread box on wheels!! 😁

also I only have 1st-4th gear…

Never make somebody a priority who makes you an option.

[Pat K]

#28217

It’s only a 4 speed. My guess is that vanagon is waaaaaay heavier  then the little subI it came out of.  Does get up and go though.

We will build it if it comes.

[cookiemonster131]

#28218

Hmmm what year is it. I would if it is a 1 to 1 4th gear?

[Kleake]

#28220

Adventure is out there.  Fun travels ahead of you Audrey.

[Pat K]

#28221

It’s an ‘86. Just checked the weight on this pig, 5269lbs.  Before the camper interior.

“That’s a huge bit*#h”

 

We will build it if it comes.

[BBWB]

#28227

Big question is, what speed do you drive at on the highway? Lots of frontal area there to push at 75mph. 65mph might produce better mileage at the current gearing. Also, I-70 between Fort Collins and Grand Junction has major changes in altitude. Lots of climbing. That will eat up the fuel to.

I’d experiment with some taller rear tires, 1/2″ to an 1″. I saw significant change when I went from 31″ to 30″ on my bus after the Subi swap. I finally went to 27 1/2″.  I had the 31″ on the rear when I had the trans with a 5:37 R&P. That worked good with the air cooled VW engine. With the new trans; a 3:88 R&P, .82 fourth, and the 31″ tires; it was horrible.  I was slogging along at 75 mph at 2000rpms.

 

I'm at the age where "fuck off", "fuck you", and "fuck it" answer most questions.

[cookiemonster131]

#28236

<p style=”text-align: left;”>6000lbs with interior probably and depending on trans code it has an 0.78 or 0.85 4th gear BUT somewhere between 4.57 to 5.86 rear ratio</p>

[Andym]

#28237

I can lean it out some to help the mpg… doesn’t sound like an emergency, so we can wait a month or 2.  I used to run them a lot leaner, got great mileage but kinda lacked power (compared to current tune) about the last 8-10 months I’ve been running this way.

Just drive it. For now soak up the cost in fuel in Parts you’d be buying if it was air cooled..

 

[cookiemonster131]

#28239

Really sounds like a ring and pinion would be the best solution. 4th gear is good but with the extra hp the ring and pinion could be changed. 5500-6000lbs though is still a lot

[John Jones]

#28296

Audrey loves her Van,,,and That makes me smile!!! 😎

The product of every old man that took the time to teach me something 😎😎😎. Thanks❤️

[Audrey Jones]

#28310

Heading back to Boulder today..pit stop in Frisco to clean my side windows…New windshield wipers rock!! Didn’t realize how bad my old ones were! Haha

tried to take it easy and got more like 15mpg so far!! So that’s cool! It’s just too easy to really get going in this rig!! 😁

 

Never make somebody a priority who makes you an option.

[John Jones]

#28321

well unfortunately Audrey broke down in Idaho springs…   She has a small hole in a coolant line running up to the front….. so when it pressurizes, it starts spitting out collant and smoking.. and also not pressurizing, and over heating.. and she said something about that coolant light… that it actually kills the Van after it starts blinking??  That seems like a lot of control for a coolant sensor.. is that some fail safe or something?

 

Working out the bugs I guess….  Sorry Audrey…   She left it at a shop in Idaho springs.. They said they would fix it tomorrow…  I hope those guys have a clue where ever it is…. 😎  uhgggggggggg

Post a pic of that hole audrey….

The product of every old man that took the time to teach me something 😎😎😎. Thanks❤️

[John Jones]

#28322

She found a broke hose clamp not long ago.. on the trip…   Lets add hose clamps and I guess some unions maybe to fix a hole in a coolant line  water cooled break down check list…. ?? gezzzzzz darn subi’s…. there’s two broke subi’s out there as I type…

The product of every old man that took the time to teach me something 😎😎😎. Thanks❤️

[cookiemonster131]

#28327

I see where the flashing coolant light could be an empty pressure coolant bottle OR overheating beyond 15/16th of the gauge. I dont see where thr engine would cut off though from it 🤔

[BBWB]

#28328

Ignition is cutting out when it gets to hot. Flashing coolant light just telling you its hot. I had this problem when Andy was here helping me. Had a bad head gasket, and when the coolant ran low engine was trying to shut down.

Bummer about the break down. Hope the yeahoos in Idaho Springs know what they’re doing.

I'm at the age where "fuck off", "fuck you", and "fuck it" answer most questions.

[Author]

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