Things new Vw bay owners should know thread

I will say this - I am no expert. I have owned vans a long time and still ask basic questions I always ask those I know are clued up sometimes I ask the daftest question but I am simply making sure I am clear about the thing I am about to tackle or that is causing my van a problem

 

Should I do more or is this enough for a novice owner?

 

And for any newbies wanting to have a go - here is a link to a few "How to" guides

http://thelatebay.com/index.php?board=85.0

 

What they mean

STOCK - As the van came from the factory or converters.

FRONT BEAM- the front axle. this is a long tube under the front of the van that is connected to the chassis by eight bolts, it is the main steering component on your van, connected to the front beam are ball joints, shock absorber's, wheels and steering arm the beam is often subject to rot and will need careful inspection for signs of it, a front beam needs to be in good condition.

REAR BEAM OR TORSION TUBE. This is similar to the front beam it connects the road wheels to the chassis and is the main component of your rear suspension. This too is subject to rot especially around the chassis connection points and needs to be carefully inspected.

AFTERMARKET - This usually refers to items made by company's like Empi who supplied official vw upgrades of their own design. it can also refer to items supplied by vw as a upgrade.


A word on stock. Stock works best on type 2 vans unless your van has been subject to a professional engine upgrade where the performance requires stronger braking and tighter steering performance obviously if you have a home fit or non pro engine upgrade it would be wise to seek professional advice re braking and handling.

The reason type 2's have big steering wheels and slim wheels is for ease of handling, without power steering they help make the handling of your van lighter. Wider wheels can lead to heavier steering as the wider surface area grips the road more.

Lowered beams. The reason people lower the beams is to improve handling after engine upgrades the stock handling system was designed to work with factory fitted engines any upgrade in engine performance may require braking or and handling improvement.

In my opinion - The factory spec was ample for everyday driving and holidaying in your bus, it seems pointless lowering and adding wider wheels without having a need such as a upgraded engine , it also seems pointless if not reckless at times to upgrade the engine without doing the former or at least having the handling system checked out professionally.

This is just my opinion it is not a hard and fast rule lowered does look good so too do wide wheels and other mods if done properly, my van came with a fourteen inch steering wheel and wide wheels - I found it very difficult to manouvre and noisy, it had a standard 1600 twin port engine which made the mods seem pretentious so i
I returned to stock - as I say just my opinion!

CONVERSION - This usually refers to the camping conversion typically Westfalia, Devon, Danbury etc , there were quite a few company's that converted vw type 2s to camper vans Westfalia were the original and official vw converter they used chiefly combi's or van that came from the factory with side windows fitted, some other company's used panel vans and cut their own windows out others used combi's from the factory.

COMBI - a van that came from the factory with side windows also referred to as a microbus.

PANEL VAN - a vw type 2 that came from the factory without side windows - a van.

WALK THROUGH - the space between drivers seat and passenger seat that leads to the cargo area of your van. Some vans had no walk through and had a twin passenger seat.

 

POPTOP - The fibreglass opening roof on some conversions, there are quite a few variations get to know yours.

VENTS - The air intake grill on the rear quarter panel , these take in all the air your engine needs to operate correctly never cover them when driving.

EMPI'S - Normally aftermarket wheels although Empi made quite a few aftermarket VW items.

TUBS - The extended inner body wheel arches.

TUBBING - A modification sometimes done after modifying inner wheel arches to allow room for wheels after lowering and narrowing.

NARROWING - Shortening the front or rear beam to allow wider wheels or to create a narrower look.

STANCE - The height of the beams from the road and the particular look of a van.

CROSSOVER - A van made between between mid 71 to feb 73 the period of change from prototype bay to late bay

A , B , C AND D PILLARS. The upright sections connecting the floor panels to the roof section, the body panels and doors connect to these to form the complete shell.

HIGH LIGHTS - The higher placed front indicators on late bays.

PROPEX- A gas blow heater supplied as aftermarket.

EBERSPACHER -- A supplementary petrol blow heater sometimes fitted as factory extra.

WEBASTO - A supplementary heater supplied as aftermarket.



I will add more as I think of them!

 

Don't jack them up on the jacking points.

If you replace any window / door seals, buy the best you can afford.

Not every "air-cooled specialist" has your best interests in mind.