'74 vw Microbus for Tow Vehicle?

[OuttaHand]

I used to restore old cars and fix up beaters. Loved doing it. Then I lost some eyesight and lost my driver's license. Since I can't drive 'em, I no longer really wanted to work on 'em. That's when I got more into wood working and am close to the completion of our teardrop. See my build log here if interested: http://webpages.charter.net/outtahand/l ... /index.htm

BUT -- There's still a little part of me that wanted to have a cool old vehicle. Long story short, the wife and I stumbled upon a '74 VW Microbus that needs an engine and restoration. After the teardrop is done, I start on that.

SO -- The bus has an automatic trans in it. I've read that these things didn't have a lot of power to begin with. Add in the auto trans and I know I'm going to have to get one of the larger motors that will fit in the bus.

AND-- I know I'm going to need to put a trailer hitch on the thing.

SO MY QUESTIONS ARE ---

1) Has anyone used an older-style VW Microbus as a tow vehicle? If so, what engine worked decently? Did you have the auto trans? Or stick?

2) How did you put a hitch on the back of the bus? There's very little support frame at the extreme back. Plus, there's the engine right there! How did the hitch mount? Or did you find a manufactured one that bolts in?

3) Anyone know of good, reliable sources for VW parts? Looking for a good salvage yard or respectable after-market seller.


And while I'm at it ----- Anyone know of any good VW forums that are as helpful in the VW area as this forum is for teardrops?

[parnold]

I'm sorry that I can't reply on your microbus question, but I just went through your build pages and wanted to comment on what a nice job you're doing!

[Wimperdink]

Shadowcatcher just recently turned me on to VW subaru conversions. They make an adapter plate to hook subaru engines to the vw transmissions. This conversion gives you a better watercooled engine with lots more power and reliability. I don't have a lot of info on the topic but I did a google search and came up with lots of reading. It might be something to look into for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_pH6vf8chA

[Redgloves]

Are you going to Hartman Creek with the TD?

[John Palmer]

I have been through lots of air cooled VW's over the years and still drag race one with my son.

My opinion is MY OPINION, and others are open to their own opinion.

I live in California and for the last 45 years, our Calfornia DMV laws unfortunetly seem to find their way into the other states. You may not YET have the problems with registration at DMV, but I'd bet you will soon. The 1970 model year is about the last cutoff year IMO for making engine swaps or engine modifications and still meeting emmission requirements on both the sniffer and visual equipment tests. If you buy a 1970 VW bus, you would be well advised to buy only one with ALL the original emmission equipment. Even if you don't require it now you will need it at some point. This bolt-on equipment sells for more than the price of your vehcle, "if you can find it". The SAMBA is where to look for possible buys.

Build the longest stroke engine you can afford, to get torque. We run a 2387cc, but a good 2110cc (82mm by 90.5mm)would make a good street engine. You need a free standing oil cooler to make it live. CB Peformance (also one of our sponsers) is the place to buy quality parts and get sound advice. SCAT Performance sells turn key motors, that are built by our former engine builder and they are sound.

Tow hitches are always available in VW swap meets. They pull from the torsion bar at the front and just bolt to the bumper.

I would not consider a automatic, just call RANCHO VW Transmission and ask for Mike Herbet. He will be able to build you a tranmission with the proper gear ratios for your towing project. He has built our race transmissions for the past 11 years. We use a IRS BUS transmission converted to swing axle in our race car.

[Eric K]

The 2.0 L is a good engine. I pulled a 3,000 lb boat all over Oregon with no problems. I was young and dumb, but never crashed it, even though many will say that it's completely unsafe.
The '78 engine had hydraulic lifters and was a little more trouble free than the 77 because of this. (fewer broken exhaust valves)
The Fuel injection works well if the injectors aren't restricted. (plugged injectors can cause this engine to overheat and burn pistons, especially on cylinder three!)
The trailer hitch mounts under the bumper pull brackets and the pull is from the engine cross bar.
I pulled a tent trailer at high speeds (clocked at over 90) with what felt like reasonable control, a little more recently (less than 10 years ago).
For a teardrop..... no problem. Hills will be at 50 (third gear speed) but on the flat it will keep up with traffic just fine even with the stock engine.

[Wolffarmer]

Hey OuttaHand

I drove a 1974 VW Camper for years. Still have it but it hasn't ran since 1994.


I replaced the 1800 stock motor with a 76 2000 that I put stock VW hydraulic valve system in it when i rebuilt it. I also built a hitch buy welding a rectangle tube between the two rear bumber brackets then a descinding iron in the middle to get it under the bumper. If you pull just the bumper off and leave the brackets on you will see where I did it. I pulled my road motorcycle with it. probably about 700 pounds total but little air resistance. On the VW buses the frame comes fully to the rear of the vehicle unlike the bugs. This you probably already know. And no way in hades would I pull 3000 lbs with it. If you pull more than what I did you may want to increase the size of the bolts holding the brackets to the frame. Maybe even add plates to the brackets. It has been a few decades since I have seen it.

The VW Type 4 2000cc motor is a pretty good one. Just make sure it has the hydraulic lifters. Exhaust valve seats like to come lose. ( drove 700 miles with one banging lose back there but I did make it home ) A good head rebuilder should know how to fix it so it should not happen. I was running it with Weber 32 pict ( i think pict ) carburetters with short manifolds. Never did figure out a way to supply warm air to keep them from icing up in cold moist air. But at least it was not in an airplane. And here in Idaho i did not have worry about emission stuff. The brakes seemed well up to the task of my 700 pound trailer, and loaded up inside. Pulled it up White Bird Hill and Lewiston Hill going up to northern Idaho. 3rd gear baby. lol

Randy

[Dale M.]

Lots of good VW bus information here.... Not necessarily on trailer towing though...

http://www.thesamba.com

Dale

[OuttaHand]

That's some wonderful stuff, people!!! Exactly what I was looking for!

I will definitely check out thesamba.com !

The hitch sounds simple enough.
The 2000cc or 2110cc motor sounds like a good way to go.

I'm afraid giving up the auto trans probably won't happen. I can no longer drive (vision probs) and the Mrs. cannot drive stick. This bus came with auto already in it and that was one reason we bought it. I know the auto will cost some power, but it just has to be, I'm afraid.

The Subaru conversions sound WAY cool. There was a time I would have jumped on that. But I am looking for more simplicity now.

Hartman Creek attendance? I'm unsure. We are going to TRY to make Cooler Near the Lake. When is the one at Hartman Creek? Can you send me a link to the event page here? (or wherever)

and, thank you, PARNOLD for the nice compliment!

This is the thing I love about forums! Thank you, everyone! Keep the great stuff coming!!!

[max2bob]

the busdepot in pennsylvania has really good prices and were very good to do business with. also j bugs in california are very professional. i have tried other suppliers but have had the best results with the two above. also as mentioned by others thesamba is a great resource for used parts and have bought from several individuals.

good luck


max

[vreihen]

If you are worried about having enough horsepower to tow a TD with *any* vehicle, I think that this eBay listing from Germany says it all:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Dethleffs-Camper-650-SK-Modell-2006-Topausstattung-/260775287013?pt=DE_Auto_Motorrad_Fahrzeuge_Wohnmobile_wagen&hash=item3cb76b18e5





This camper has a GVW of 2,500kg (5,500 pounds), and is 27.9' long according to the eBay ad. Unless you're using lead plates to make the floor decking, I don't think that a TD behind a 2000cc VW engine will be anywhere near this worst-case example.....

[Wolffarmer]

What are they really selling?

Stupid?

Randy

[angib]

I think that is a German idea of humour - since no good German would think of doing something so dangerous, it makes an eye-catching photo.

The Smart is rated to tow no more than 330kg (730lb) and that trailer has a GVWR of 2500kg (5500lb), so it's only seven times too heavy....

[vreihen]

I think that is a German idea of humour - since no good German would think of doing something so dangerous, it makes an eye-catching photo.

Maybe this seller is not a good German?

If you look at the location of the axles, it appears that whoever manufactured this trailer was trying to keep the tongue weight near zero for some reason. It very well could have been towed by that car, although we probably all agree it wasn't the smartest (no pun intended) tow vehicle choice.....

[rebapuck]

I had a stock 1600sp in my '66 and it struggled to tow the Puck(750lbs) on anything but the flat. I replaced with a 1956cc and we just breeze along.

Not a mechanic myself, but I've heard raves about the Subaru conversion.

As mentioned, thesamba.com is the place to go.