Delica Questions

[iggi]

Hi,

I've been considering a Vanagon Syncro but am wondering if a Delica might be the better choice.

A few questions if I could:

How's the heat? I ice climb in the winter and warming up the feet at the end of the day is a big priority.

Camper Conversions. I've gotten pretty attached to my VW Westy and it's poptop and all the cabinets inside. Have there been many poptop conversions done on Delicas? Any websites with pics/descriptions?

My old bus gets pretty scary to drive in high winds.. how's the Delica?

Thanks,

[Adrock]

I had a hell of a time with heat in the winter. My experience was unless you work the engine you don't get much... driving in -25 around a small town, the heat never happened, i wasn't in it long enough for it to warm up at all. The downhills of mountain passes were also not so fun when it was cold, the engine cooled down real fast when not working hard. I got my coolant changed and the heat seems to work better, but its also a bit warmer out. An option for this is the webasto block heaterish thing, you can set it to warm your engine and your passenger compartment at a certain time before you get in, and it uses diesel from your tank, so you don't have to plug in... Its not cheap but in cold places I would have one for sure.

I don't know a lot about camper conversions except that they have been done, and that its mostly pretty custom especially in Canada.

As far is in high winds, yes, you can feel the wind moving you a bit, but i've never had any scary moments because of it, drove through a few "high cross wind" areas yesterday, and drove the salmo creston during a fairly windy snow/freezing rain storm (yeah, its summer, right guys?) and although i felt some pushing i never felt unsafe, and if you've seen pictures of my van it might as well be kite compared to most others.

[docsavage]

I've had no issues with heat running in the winter in Williams Lake. I can get all the heat I need even at -37.

Windy conditions are always fun, they get tossed around a bit, but nothing crazy scary - at least I haven't blown over, just into the oncoming lane in Jasper.

James

[delicanuck]

Hi Iggi,
There's something funny about VW vans and the people who love them. In every case I can think of, owners universally say "I love my van... Its on its third motor!" As if that were a good thing. I think its like old english cars being like German girl friends; You spent half your time underneath. You form an emotional attachment just because you've invested so much in the relationship. I've change motors on a couple of VWs and I had a '69 GT6 for a while, (I preferred the German girl friend). Anyway, if that is one of the things that you loved about your VW, you may find a Delica to be disappointingly reliable.

OK well I have had mine around to a few shops to have a few things done like have the heater A/C system renovated ($300.00) but the power train seems pretty bomber. Oh! Hey! Get one with a hot box and just move the box over to the right a little and cut holes for the pedals! That or get a 12 volt fuel tank heater pad and put it under your driver side floor mat. Oooh... I may do that.

I tried ice climbing about twice. The ice was cold both times. I learned.

[collector]

iggi, if you can even find a VW syncro (depending on your locale, of course), I am sure that you would be in a world of hurt. I have heard nothing good about these abortions, only lots of horror stories..(" Ve haff vays of making you Walk!"). I think you would be a lot better off buying a Delica, seeing as that parts availiabilty is getting better (in BC Canada, anyways), and the reliability of the L300 far outstrips anything VW has put out since the Kubelwagen...

[torchard]

I had a 78 westfalia and loved the good things about it and really hated the bad things. One key bad thing was the lack of heat. I'm still open for another Westie but would never get an aircooled again. I know someone's gonna jump in and tell me about how those gas heaters throw out the heat, but they are often non functional and I guestion their safety.

Personally I'd buy a deli over a vw if I was only going for the van model. And synchros don't come cheap - if you can find one. If you are looking for a camper than the westie might prevail. But I totally agree with the emotional attachment aspect. Despite its limitations I loved that ride. And so many people swear by VW vans.

Yet, I think they have a lot of flaws and hope the Germans don't consider them a sign of masterful engineering. Having said that you can't beat the westie for its passenger vehicle/RV split personality.

Still though... why do the fuel lines, which soften and weep over the years, run overtop the exhaust manifolds? The most heat some air-cooled VW vans ever produce is from the fires which resulted from these weeping lines.