There’s a certain panache and quasi-cult like following for the T3 Vanagon models that I’m afraid our beloved T4 Eurovans will never achieve. Unfortunately T4’s in America are like the Ivory Billed woodpecker—on the edge of extinction (arguably already there). When OEM and aftermarket parts stop being produced for a vehicle model this is the inevitable outcome.?

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The number of companies supplying parts for the Vanagon, both aftermarket OEM parts, as well as updated OE components for today’s day and age is on a different order of magnitude compared to the T4 and I’m doubtful this supply chain will suddenly gain enthusiasm for our beloved Eurovans. Check out the wares of a few of the plethora of companies supporting primarily the T3 to see what I’m talking about.?

gowesty

busdepot

Vancafe

T3techniques

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A couple other factors have firmly rung the death knell of the T4: the failure prone automatic transmission and cost prohibitive repair. It’s the perfect storm: Dwindling parts supply, weak and expensive critically important components, and the increasingly sparse number of shops who will take them in for repair.?it’s really no surprise to me we’re in the end times and I say this as a retired VW mechanic/shop owner and Eurovan owner for over 15yrs w a highly modified 2000 EVW unicorn w/ over a half million miles. ?

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Justin
2000 EVW 1.9TDI Syncro 5-spd
505k mi :-)

Here at Van-Again, we have been servicing the Eurovan community for the last 25 years.? I have personally owned several of these, worked on many for customers, actually was a branch of Pop Top Heaven on the east coast back in 2007 (before the banking crash), and currently are a source of a lot of parts for the Eurovan that no one else bothers with.? We are also currently doing 3d printing and modeling.? I think this is a way forward for Eurovan owners as some of these parts are going away since they were never made in the aftermarket, and probably never will be.? However if I can get a good used version of a plastic part, I can model it into 3d, and then print it out of quality filament or eventually get some runs made from the 3d model if there is enough demand for it.? We actually import a bunch of engine parts for the 2.5l engine and have supplied many shops with a complete list of rebuild parts sourced directly from Europe.? My model isn't trying to be the cheapest.? However, since I have a ton of experience working on these vehicles, I offer not only competitive pricing for our parts, but also actual phone or email support from someone that is a seasoned mechanic.? You can check out what we have to offer at ? If you don't see something you need, please just let me know.? Or if you want me to look into making a replacement part for you with 3d modeling, please feel free to let me know.

Sincerely,
Ken Wilford
> On 11/21/2024 3:23 PM EST The Bus Depot via <bd=[email protected]> wrote:
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>?
> > The number of companies supplying parts for the Vanagon is on a
> > different order of magnitude compared to the T4 and I’m doubtful this
> > supply chain will suddenly gain enthusiasm for our beloved Eurovans.
>
> Well, I can tell you that there is one exception. While our competitors have been reducing their Eurovan parts selection, here at BusDepot.com we've been actively expanding further into Eurovan parts. In the last two years we've doubled our Eurovan parts selection, doubled our sales volume of Eurovan parts, and reduced prices on hundreds if not thousands of parts due to the resulting increase in purchasing power.? This is made possible by the fact that we import container loads of parts directly from Europe, rather than relying chiefly on U.S. wholesalers (most of whom have dwindling interest in Eurovans). There is still a reasonably healthy supply of T4/Eurovan parts in Europe, a lot of which isn't available in the States (or is too expensive, or poor quality), and I've spent a lot of time sorting through and starting to import those parts. Replacement sheet metal, rubber, and various coolant hoses come to mind, just to name a few. It's somewhat of a labor of love, as I'm a long-time Eurovan owner myself (an MV, two EVC's, and two Rialtas over the years). If you can't find something on our site (or see a part on a European website that interests you), please feel free to email us at sales@....? Admittedly there are plenty of parts that are no longer available new (as with many Bus and Vanagon parts), but I spend a lot of my time sleuthing out parts other places can't find, and I love a challenge!
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> Ron Salmon
> The Bus Depot Inc.
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