A friend has a Cirrus: weighs 600 pounds dry. I gave my son a 1982 Rabbit for his first car. A sensible vehicle. Fun to drive. Simple. Now? A computer on wheels. I don’t expect an Id4 will be in the road in forty years.?
> My hopes are dashed!? ?Maybe by the time these are on the used market there will be a upgrade replacement battery that will increase the range.?
?
I feel the same way.
?
There are two ways to build an EV. The first is the auto company way. Lots of steel, so heavy, so it need a big motor and lots of batteries to move it. Poor range due to all that weight. Expensive due to the sheer mass of materials.
?
The second way is more like an airplane (or original microbus). Keep it small, light, and simple. Use high-strength composites, to halve the weight while keeping all the strength. Half the weight means half the motor and half the batteries for the same range and performance. Despite the higher cost of the composites, it winds up cheaper because all the rest of the parts are smaller and lighter.
--
Excellence does not require perfection. -- Henry James
But it *does* require attention to detail! -- Lee Hart
--
Lee A. Hart
|
> My hopes are dashed!? ?Maybe by the time these are on the used market there will be a upgrade replacement battery that will increase the range.?
?
I feel the same way.
?
There are two ways to build an EV. The first is the auto company way. Lots of steel, so heavy, so it need a big motor and lots of batteries to move it. Poor range due to all that weight. Expensive due to the sheer mass of materials.
?
The second way is more like an airplane (or original microbus). Keep it small, light, and simple. Use high-strength composites, to halve the weight while keeping all the strength. Half the weight means half the motor and half the batteries for the same range and performance. Despite the higher cost of the composites, it winds up cheaper because all the rest of the parts are smaller and lighter.
--
Excellence does not require perfection. -- Henry James
But it *does* require attention to detail! -- Lee Hart
--
Lee A. Hart
|
Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Take a pic of where it is.   I might have it. I changed out my Winnebago doors for custom ones and changed the configuration to allow opening drawers and doors with the bed down. I have 2or 3 old doors kicking around.?
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
All,
I plan to go back early next week to grab some items for myself.? Let me know what to look for.? If it is there I can do my best to grab it for you and we can work out price and shipping - I'd prefer items not too large for shipping.?
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Scott, car-part.com is one I look at.??
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Marshall and Mike,
?
It is u pull type yard in the Pittsburgh PA area.? I plan to go back early next week to grab some items.? I'd be willing to pull items and we could work out getting them to you so long as not too large for shipping.? The engine is gone, and crudely removed, as in cut anything and everything that was between the engine and engine compartment.? Not sure what wiring you are looking for.
?
Let me know.
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Cole, thank you for chiming in, you are the pioneering expert on the subject! (In my opinion).? So the top, is not a good idea!? That is a bummer but I appreciate the hard truth.? These van rarely show up in a yard around here.
?
Thanks!
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
We have been looking for the first plastic door for the water refill since we got our 1997 EVC <100k mi. Seems some folks think the first door (the one with the hole in it) is not needed and toss it out. Anyone know where we might find one, please let us know. Silly, unnecessary part but would not mind having one, in the name of completeness. Thanks.
On Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 06:48:44 PM MST, Steve via groups.io <seaweedsteve@...> wrote:
I would love to have the opposite -? a long wheelbase one with a Weekender interior.? ?I like the Weekender much more and don't want the camper's kitchen but would enjoy more length.
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
I would love to have the opposite -? a long wheelbase one with a Weekender interior.? ?I like the Weekender much more and don't want the camper's kitchen but would enjoy more length.
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My hopes are dashed!? ?Maybe by the time these are on the used market there will be a upgrade replacement battery that will increase the range.?
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Hey Scott,
?
There are no dumb questions, at least in my opinion.?
?
I know that a body shop I had consulted with used a nationwide database of salvage yards to source a sliding door panel for me. However, I didn't go with them as I felt their quote to do the work was more than I was willing to fork over - I don't mind driving around with a dented side door panel, wife's embarrassment aside,... So, you might check your local body shops to see what they come up with.
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Dumb question incoming from a newbie. Is there a way to keep track of inventory nationwide at salvage yards? ?Or is this a drive by and take a looksie type of industry??
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On Dec 28, 2024, at 6:31?PM, Christopher Volk via groups.io <christopherbvolk@...> wrote:
? Me, too.? BYW, we got a new, fiberglass roof installed last spring on our 97 EVC Winnie.? Poptop Heaven in Yucaipa, CA is the maker/installer. Yes, which salvage yard please? I've got a 2000 EVC in need of a few items ;-)
?
-Pete
2000 EVC, ~210k miles
______________Christopher Volk Boise, Idaho
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Me, too.? BYW, we got a new, fiberglass roof installed last spring on our 97 EVC Winnie.? Poptop Heaven in Yucaipa, CA is the maker/installer.
Yes, which salvage yard please? I've got a 2000 EVC in need of a few items ;-)
?
-Pete
2000 EVC, ~210k miles
-- ______________Christopher Volk Boise, Idaho
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Yes, which salvage yard please? I've got a 2000 EVC in need of a few items ;-)
?
-Pete
2000 EVC, ~210k miles
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Curious about the van in the scrap yard. Might be some stuff some of us would want for our Winnebagos. Also depending on the year, a buddy has one that needs some of the wire harness after a short.?
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On Dec 28, 2024, at 1:43 PM, Tabitha & Mark Reed via groups.io <tmreedsix@...> wrote:
? Hello Group,
?
There is a Winnebago Eurovan camper in the junkyard near me.? I was thinking about pulling some items.? My big question was, did all of these have the longer wheelbase?? I was thinking about cutting off the roof for a future camper conversion on my GLS.? But I recall the Winnebago conversion had a longer wheel base?? My van is a 99 and this junkyard specimen is a 2002, if that makes any difference.? When I go back next week I can measure, for sure, but I was just wondering if this is a simple question.
?
It is mostly complete inside, which is sad.? Seems like it sat for a while, there is mice damage / smelss kind of bad inside.? There is no engine and maybe had some front end damage.
?
Let me know,
?
Thanks.
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Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
So, for a bit of clarification here.
Short wheelbase Westfalia Weekenders, came to the USA in 93, 99-2003. All the tops fit the same despite minor differences in them.?
…but, you may discover Westfalia full campers roaming in the USA that were imported ?temporarily or snuck in some other way. These did come to Canada and up from some southern countries and some have been here from overseas traveling. Those tops also work.?
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On Dec 28, 2024, at 11:46?AM, Marshall Crutcher via groups.io <marshall.crutcher@...> wrote:
? That ?Winnebago roof isn’t going to fit on the short wheelbase and you would t want to use it anyway (too susceptible to cracking) . ?You want a pop top roof from one of the short wheelbase Westfalia’s (93, 01-03). ?
Which salvage yard?? On Dec 28, 2024, at 1:43?PM, Tabitha & Mark Reed via groups.io <tmreedsix@...> wrote:
? Hello Group,
?
There is a Winnebago Eurovan camper in the junkyard near me.? I was thinking about pulling some items.? My big question was, did all of these have the longer wheelbase?? I was thinking about cutting off the roof for a future camper conversion on my GLS.? But I recall the Winnebago conversion had a longer wheel base?? My van is a 99 and this junkyard specimen is a 2002, if that makes any difference.? When I go back next week I can measure, for sure, but I was just wondering if this is a simple question.
?
It is mostly complete inside, which is sad.? Seems like it sat for a while, there is mice damage / smelss kind of bad inside.? There is no engine and maybe had some front end damage.
?
Let me know,
?
Thanks.
|
Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
The Winnebago vans are the only long wheelbase vans that came to the USA.
So their roof doesn’t fit the short wheelbase vans (GL/GLS/MV).
You will need anWestfalia top off a Weekender 1993-2003.
No need to “cut the top off” the van as the van structure is all the same. But you do need all the parts inside and out down to the bottom of the windows for a top conversion and clear to the floor if you want the Weekender parts.?
Winnebago tops are also a form of plastic known to crack and be nearly impossible to repair.
Westfalia Weekender tops are fiberglass. Much more durable and easy to repair.
Cole?
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On Dec 28, 2024, at 11:43?AM, Tabitha & Mark Reed via groups.io <tmreedsix@...> wrote:
? Hello Group,
?
There is a Winnebago Eurovan camper in the junkyard near me.? I was thinking about pulling some items.? My big question was, did all of these have the longer wheelbase?? I was thinking about cutting off the roof for a future camper conversion on my GLS.? But I recall the Winnebago conversion had a longer wheel base?? My van is a 99 and this junkyard specimen is a 2002, if that makes any difference.? When I go back next week I can measure, for sure, but I was just wondering if this is a simple question.
?
It is mostly complete inside, which is sad.? Seems like it sat for a while, there is mice damage / smelss kind of bad inside.? There is no engine and maybe had some front end damage.
?
Let me know,
?
Thanks.
|
Re: Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
That ?Winnebago roof isn’t going to fit on the short wheelbase and you would t want to use it anyway (too susceptible to cracking) . ?You want a pop top roof from one of the short wheelbase Westfalia’s (93, 01-03). ?
Which salvage yard??
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Dec 28, 2024, at 1:43?PM, Tabitha & Mark Reed via groups.io <tmreedsix@...> wrote:
? Hello Group,
?
There is a Winnebago Eurovan camper in the junkyard near me.? I was thinking about pulling some items.? My big question was, did all of these have the longer wheelbase?? I was thinking about cutting off the roof for a future camper conversion on my GLS.? But I recall the Winnebago conversion had a longer wheel base?? My van is a 99 and this junkyard specimen is a 2002, if that makes any difference.? When I go back next week I can measure, for sure, but I was just wondering if this is a simple question.
?
It is mostly complete inside, which is sad.? Seems like it sat for a while, there is mice damage / smelss kind of bad inside.? There is no engine and maybe had some front end damage.
?
Let me know,
?
Thanks.
|
Eurovan Winnebago conversion in the local junk yard
Hello Group,
?
There is a Winnebago Eurovan camper in the junkyard near me.? I was thinking about pulling some items.? My big question was, did all of these have the longer wheelbase?? I was thinking about cutting off the roof for a future camper conversion on my GLS.? But I recall the Winnebago conversion had a longer wheel base?? My van is a 99 and this junkyard specimen is a 2002, if that makes any difference.? When I go back next week I can measure, for sure, but I was just wondering if this is a simple question.
?
It is mostly complete inside, which is sad.? Seems like it sat for a while, there is mice damage / smelss kind of bad inside.? There is no engine and maybe had some front end damage.
?
Let me know,
?
Thanks.
|
It's not for us, I think. I loved my Eurovan, but this thing can't really replace it. Nor is it a Microbus. They're after the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna customers who never owned a Eurovan, or even a vintage Microbus. Alas, it's probably too little, too late -- those people are already satisfied with what they have.
?
On it being an EV: A 210 mile range isn't bad for a daily driver. I've been driving (and building) my own EVs since the 1970s, and that's plenty of range for 90% of my driving. But it would certainly put a crimp on long-distance travel. While charging stations are now common in big cities and along the Interstates in the US, they are still fairly rare in camping country.
?
One option they missed is to cover the roof with PV panels. They wouldn't add much (I'd guess around 10 miles of driving per sunny day), but could power camping while parked nicely.
--
Excellence does not require perfection. -- Henry James
But it *does* require attention to detail! -- Lee Hart
--
Lee A. Hart
|
Lee Hart
Bob H
Pete