Forgotten 1987 VW Vanagon Syncro Westfalia- "Heidi"- Will it run? Chapter 3 THE DRIVE HOME

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

This 1987 VW Vanagon Syncro Westfalia was parked in 2001!! Do you think our team of vw enthusiasts can get it running and driving, and make the 600 mile journey home? WATCH AND FIND OUT!
In this chapter, we put the engine in, build the rest of the systems, and work with an awesome team of friends to get this bus back on the road and driving!
What a disappointing Ending! : ) Comment with your thoughts on how that went!

Пікірлер: 133

  • @Cheekymonkey1
    @Cheekymonkey16 ай бұрын

    Good night everyone good that you all have great work crew and putting old vw campervans back on the road please keep it up and it makes me smile and it's enjoyable to watch you all

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks friend! I love sharing these adventures with you- what was your favorite part?

  • @samtracy751
    @samtracy7516 ай бұрын

    That’s awesome. I appreciate the content. A lot of fun to watch. Looking forward to the next project.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Not sure what the next project will be- how many vans do I need? Maybe we build one for you?

  • @richardroos5965
    @richardroos59656 ай бұрын

    I can't believe the projects you undertake: Mission Impossible! If it wasn't for all the "sweat equity" you put into these junkers, you would never be able to afford having Professionals rehabilitate do what you do. Thanks for sharing your expertise with me and all of us viewers.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! Another great adventure and another great story!

  • @carlbernard4197

    @carlbernard4197

    6 ай бұрын

    He is also a very pleasant person ☺️

  • @sicarguy4478
    @sicarguy44786 ай бұрын

    Heck ya ....Glad you are here doing a New Video !!!!! I sure learn so Much from your Videos and Enjoy watching them .... !!!!! Thank you

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Awesome dude! What’d you learn in this one?

  • @leejensen7550
    @leejensen75506 ай бұрын

    This was a saga! Going in for a second watch 😂 . Thanks for documenting Craig!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks friend! What was your favorite part?

  • @Joesrustbuckets
    @Joesrustbuckets6 ай бұрын

    Good to see you got her home, great team for sure, Remember there’s no i in Team😜🍻🇮🇪

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    It takes a village to raise a vanagon!

  • @bryansmith6000
    @bryansmith60006 ай бұрын

    Super exciting to see the van on the road after all that work!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Heck ya buddy! It’s home, I can’t wait to share the next chapter and all the additional work it’s taken!

  • @Barfintention
    @Barfintention4 ай бұрын

    great to see her running so well!!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    4 ай бұрын

    She’s ready for some adventures! More content coming soon!

  • @JackStolz
    @JackStolz6 ай бұрын

    I absolutely loved this episode. Editing is getting really good! I’ve been chasing similar issues on the 1.9. Intermittent of course so you can never truly track it down. We did 3500 miles this summer and some days it was great. Others, trash. Anyway I appreciate you putting all the work in to make these. Infinite blessings my dude!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! I highly suggest a brand new wiring harness if you haven’t yet, I’m a big advocate (and increasing advocate) of the value of a new wiring harness. It just proactively takes care of so many intermittent BS problems.

  • @JackStolz

    @JackStolz

    6 ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge such a good call. I got tested known good AFM, ECU, Distributor, and coil as backups and I’ve replaced every other sensor in the damn thing so the harness is next. Specifically connectors in the plugs will get my first peek. 🔌 ⚡️⚡️⚡️👨‍💻👨‍💻

  • @graemebigredt3641
    @graemebigredt36416 ай бұрын

    Another fantastic installment, I always look forward to your videos appearing. Always good humour and little tips along the way thank you. Watching from Scotland.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Awesome! Thanks buddy! What was your favorite part?

  • @theslyrylan
    @theslyrylan6 ай бұрын

    Awesome. Love your videos. As an owner of 2 84 westys, I can relate to these videos very much 😅

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Nice! Gota have two, that way- one works, probably. : ) What’s the best adventure you’ve been on with your westy?

  • @leostevens8589
    @leostevens85894 ай бұрын

    Excellent series thank you

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    4 ай бұрын

    I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it so far!

  • @davebauerart
    @davebauerart6 ай бұрын

    Such a great group effort. Looking forward to the next adventure.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks David! They just keep randomly happening in that same spot for whatever reason, so perhaps we'll get ya in on the next one!

  • @leonardorubini2808
    @leonardorubini28083 ай бұрын

    Awesome video. That mechanic was incredible! 🔥. Nice whip !

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    Ай бұрын

    We have a very good crew

  • @joostspikker
    @joostspikker6 ай бұрын

    Great video as always !

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks Friend! What did you like about it?

  • @davidrooney8062
    @davidrooney80626 ай бұрын

    Your best video by far! I really enjoyed it well done! You are blessed with great friends.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    I definitely have some great friends! Thanks for being supportive- you're part of the crew! What was your favorite part?

  • @willemmaas9813
    @willemmaas98136 ай бұрын

    Job well done! Looking forward to the next project.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Well, i'm not sure how many more busses i need to own. So are we going to rescue another next year? IDK! I guess first we need to find someone that wants a bus and wants to be a part of the rescue- is that you?

  • @willemmaas9813

    @willemmaas9813

    6 ай бұрын

    I am from South Africa and own a 2.6i VW Microbus (The South African terminology used here was Microbus instead of Vanagon). These models were still locally manufactured after worldwide production of Vanagons ended in 1990. My model is a 1996 model fitted with a 5-cylinder 2.6 liter fuel injection engine derived from the Audi100 models. VW South Africa discontinued manufacturing of this iteration in 2003. Other than the engine and a few cosmetic upgrades my bus is basically the same shape as the Vanagon models. I do maintenance myself and enjoy watching your videos. I always learn something when seeing you do field-repairs.@@TheBarefootForge

  • @slimpickins3425
    @slimpickins34256 ай бұрын

    Hi Craig , you summed it up perfectly in the end of the video ! Me im a lone wolf on the road, as well as in my driveway. You are so fortunate to have such a great group of friends, but you my friend have more knowledge passion and forethought than I will ever have. I still take bets up to the Catskill Mts from good old flat Long Island NY. I just hope i make it up there and back. so far I have. Its slow on the hills, really slow but after 43 years of owernship Im not complaining! I still get a wave, or a beep or a thumbs up every single time I drive it, and that makes it so worthwhile! Btw, when you were ranting about how bad it was running i was laughing out loud. There is no chanel like yours and im so very lucky to have come across your it. Thanks for your amazing efforts in bringing this to us all! If your ever down in LI or up in the Catskill Mts give me a shout!!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! I hope our paths will cross. It’s easy to find me up in the mountains, typically the same two events per year (plus building busses).

  • @carlbernard4197

    @carlbernard4197

    6 ай бұрын

    I used to drive commercial trucks through these areas. Had to deliver to grocery stores in these areas. 😊. Also beautiful long haired fellow 😊

  • @davem1809
    @davem18096 ай бұрын

    finally a new episode :) love your content man! Greetings from Germany!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! What was your favorite part?

  • @davem1809

    @davem1809

    6 ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge there is no favorite part. when im watching your videos it feels like im back in the garage and working with my buddys on cars ( altough its T4 were driving here ). Its just the "get-together" feeling and accomplishing smth together that makes your videos great. fav. episode was the polish doka you bought..that was something else :)

  • @bushhump
    @bushhump6 ай бұрын

    Love the adventures. And I can’t believe the way you step in crap with that other syncro westy

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    They fall from the sky! Just put the word out to the world.

  • @montanaharkin
    @montanaharkin2 ай бұрын

    Great score. Great work!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    Ай бұрын

    It’s been a lot of work!

  • @montanaharkin

    @montanaharkin

    Ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge Love your content! Thanks for sharing the journey!

  • @tomruffner6283
    @tomruffner62836 ай бұрын

    You inspire me to find an old Westy and get out there!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    We can help ya with that!!!!

  • @QuillsVWsurgeryUK
    @QuillsVWsurgeryUK6 ай бұрын

    Really enjoyed the video 👍

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy!

  • @johndavies9987
    @johndavies99876 ай бұрын

    Another brilliant rescue. These vans are special things! Had my bus 20 yrs still doing the vanagon thing over in the UK there called a T25 or T3 or even a Brick Can't wait for the next rescue. Keep up the great work lads

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! What was your favorite part?

  • @johndavies9987

    @johndavies9987

    6 ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge Your reaction when the magic man works his magic.lol

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    @@johndavies9987 Oh ya, Andrew is definitely a wizard!

  • @hooh125
    @hooh1256 ай бұрын

    That seems irresponsible hahah I love these videos, thank you for sharing!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! What’s your favorite bit?

  • @miki_maui
    @miki_maui2 ай бұрын

    love it!!!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    Ай бұрын

    Heck ya! It’s a great story so far!

  • @frederikvalgaeren2416
    @frederikvalgaeren24166 ай бұрын

    Man I am happy I only drive diesel vw vanagons anymore 😂 but seriously, love the videos... funny, interesting and just a good vibe... keep it up !

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    5 ай бұрын

    thanks buddy!

  • @kevinbrennan6546
    @kevinbrennan65466 ай бұрын

    I only recently stumbled across this channel. Man what a ride! Keep them coming

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Welcome aboard! What was your favorite part (of either the general channel, or this video)

  • @kevinbrennan6546

    @kevinbrennan6546

    6 ай бұрын

    I love seeing these old VW's revived @@TheBarefootForge and how you guys attack everything.

  • @chrishomel9558
    @chrishomel95586 ай бұрын

    Great video, and great team. I always learn so much from your crazy vanagon projects. The mousier the better. Why is it always the AFM? Those things are pure voodoo. Keep up the great work. I can't wait to see what happens next.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    The AFM is definitely a critical bit on these! If anything, I’d say “why is it always the electrical harness”, because it is….. On this bus we even changed the wiring harness- and it STILL gave us issues because even the best 35 year old replacement part is well…. Just that.

  • @mikenewman137
    @mikenewman1376 ай бұрын

    Great work, that looked hard work, i cant wait to see the revival on the next van.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Not sure how many vans I need- maybe you need one? Let’s build one for one of you! Join in!

  • @mikenewman137

    @mikenewman137

    6 ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge love to but I am in the UK !

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    @@mikenewman137sounds like a bigger adventure- im in!

  • @nealart
    @nealart6 ай бұрын

    Great episode! I work on air cooled BMW motorcycles so I had to look up the reason for drilling the hole by the rear main seal as it is a similar setup. I guess you’ve got some electrical gremlins to sort out, but mission accomplished!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Ya, the hole thing is a newer trick from our friends at gowesty- apparently, it fixes the problem. Supposedly. We shall see- but it’s not leaking yet!

  • @markfriedel1
    @markfriedel16 ай бұрын

    The video brought back a lot of memories. I had an '84 2WD weekender back in about 1993. Every so often when starting it the engine would run like garbage - hunting idle and no power. Turning it off and restarting it would (usually) make it run just fine again. Sometimes it took a few restarts, but it always got better. Never found the issue, just lived with it.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Sounds like an oxygen sensor wire issue! Legendarily problematic. Do you miss your bus?

  • @markfriedel1

    @markfriedel1

    6 ай бұрын

    Constantly. I got it from my folks with a bad head gasket - I did the head gaskets with the engine in place and learned some creative swear words. Eventually I sold it because of a leaky radiator- 20 something me didn’t have the $400 or so that my local Beck Arnley parts place wanted, so I sold it.

  • @jonmortermusic
    @jonmortermusic6 ай бұрын

    Been waiting for this one! Really wanted to know whether this one would drive home. Great stuff!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Heck ya man! What was your favorite part?

  • @jonmortermusic

    @jonmortermusic

    6 ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge Just the sheer energy put in by everyone to ensure it drove all the way home. 600 miles is the equivalent of me driving that T25 all the way from here in London to Zurich in Switzerland. Well done team, well done

  • @petebuttons210
    @petebuttons2106 ай бұрын

    Just epic.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks Buddy! What was your favorite part?

  • @petebuttons210

    @petebuttons210

    6 ай бұрын

    I own a syncro and am a petrol head so getting motor in the bus and getting it started@@TheBarefootForge

  • @Saulkoll
    @Saulkoll6 ай бұрын

    Congrats! I'll admit I was worried.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    We made it home!

  • @knoxsyncro2988
    @knoxsyncro29886 ай бұрын

    The blinking light…. We’ve all been there. I magically fixed mine by wiggling the two barrel connectors in the black box. It could have been a coincidence though. I’ve enjoyed the videos

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Oh nice! In this case it was a bad fuse block and bad coolant blinker relay.

  • @crwo5213
    @crwo52136 ай бұрын

    Hi Craig, its Craig from England UK. This is how I remember my teens with a great group of friends messing with motorbikes and old cars. Great vids mate

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks man! What was your best adventure with your crew?

  • @crwo5213

    @crwo5213

    6 ай бұрын

    @TheBarefootForge probably our first real ride out as 16 year olds, we were all on different 2 stroke 50cc motorbikes, we'd travelled about 40 miles and my coil pack decided to give up. I stayed with my bike while the others rode another 20 miles to get a new one, came back and I fitted it and we just kept on riding. First proper foray into engines and being out and about. Great days

  • @crwo5213

    @crwo5213

    6 ай бұрын

    About 3 years ago I decided to buy a Westy and I've been repairing it ever since. I'm the only one in the area with any interest in old VW so just keep these videos coming.

  • @HubertusSchaper
    @HubertusSchaper6 ай бұрын

    Hi Barefoot Forge. Well done getting the VW Vanagon home was a lot of work but it did pay off🇺🇸👍🏻🍀 Greetings. Hubertus👍🏻🙏🏻☮🇳🇴🇳🇱🎄🇺🇸

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! What was your favorite part?

  • @HubertusSchaper

    @HubertusSchaper

    6 ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge all of it.👍🏻🙏🏻🇳🇴☮🎄🇺🇸

  • @stanisawwielanek6094
    @stanisawwielanek60946 ай бұрын

    Robisz fajne rzeczy z busami syncro też mam syncro.Fajna doca z POLSKI.Pozdrawiam z odległej Polski.

  • @Richiethebarber1
    @Richiethebarber16 ай бұрын

    Your videos rule!!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks buddy! What was your favorite part?

  • @Richiethebarber1

    @Richiethebarber1

    6 ай бұрын

    The whole videos are great. I'm curious to what goes on "behind the scenes "

  • @MercedesDieselGuy
    @MercedesDieselGuy6 ай бұрын

    Awesome! I was wondering what happened with this one.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    She drove home! Whats your favorite part?

  • @MercedesDieselGuy

    @MercedesDieselGuy

    6 ай бұрын

    @TheBarefootForge figuring out the wire plug issue going to the AFM. Hidden stuff like that always trips me up, too. I can really identify with that part.

  • @blyhigh4199
    @blyhigh41996 ай бұрын

    C'mon, you gotta take a drink!

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Sometimes you’ve earned it!

  • @iscariotproject
    @iscariotproject6 ай бұрын

    im surprised any insurance company still accept your money at this point,looking forward to the video on the red van

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    This vehicle was fully insured, registered, and legal for its trip! The insurance company loves me, I pay them a lot!

  • @hastingshastings72
    @hastingshastings726 ай бұрын

    Great video, thank you for sharing! Love this! A real quick heads up about wearing a poppy, as a piece of jewelry to bling up a hat? That’s a definite disrespect of what the poppy is for or about. We all live by our own codes, I get that, I know that. You do you, but I had to speak up and share how I ( and many many others ) would see that nonchalant wearing l of a very sacred symbol as being disrespectful.

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Perhaps the wearer knows, and isn’t disrespecting it? You’re coming off pretty strong there with some virtue signaling, I hope you’re right.

  • @only-vans

    @only-vans

    6 ай бұрын

    I wear my poppy all year around. My landrover wears a truck sized poppy all year around. Royal Marines 42 commando 1977-1982 fwiw. how is that disrespectful? I salute the guy for wearing it where it is very visible.

  • @SKSK-rz7br
    @SKSK-rz7br2 ай бұрын

    Love your channel ... Your expertise is scary ... I have a Westfalia Vanagon California 2.1... Mine is pretty much stock .... Just curious as to why you ditched the square headlights ... Here in the UK the square ones are more desirable ...

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    Ай бұрын

    The square headlights suck. Rounds are way more available and brighter.

  • @Zybr-vx8kn
    @Zybr-vx8kn5 ай бұрын

    Т3 супер авто!!!!

  • @stubenmoebel
    @stubenmoebel6 ай бұрын

    you made it

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Heck ya!

  • @petrussuhonen5091
    @petrussuhonen50916 ай бұрын

    Good video! What size of tires? Are those 5.5” 14inch wheels?

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Yep! Standard vanagon wheels. The general grabbers are my favorite tire option for the 14s.

  • @petrussuhonen5091

    @petrussuhonen5091

    6 ай бұрын

    @@TheBarefootForge Nice! Is the tire size ”27x8.5r14/6 ?

  • @allatonce3143
    @allatonce31436 ай бұрын

    Drained gas tanks are the most dangerous . No open flames !

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    5 ай бұрын

    that is correct- when there's any residual fuel vapors. If however the tank has been open to the environment and fully drained for MONTHS like this one- that's just a volume of air space, it's just a container, no longer "a gas tank".

  • @crashsoome
    @crashsoome4 ай бұрын

    Great vid but what happened to the red one ?

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    4 ай бұрын

    Which red one? The other syncro westy in the field? We haven’t gotten to that one….. yet. : )

  • @Westy73
    @Westy735 ай бұрын

    oi vey Vanagons have always scared me. This makes my OBD 2 Volvo look like the Millenium Falcon, and my '70 bus look like a Model A...

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    4 ай бұрын

    Vanagon’s are easy!

  • @etiladuda
    @etiladuda6 ай бұрын

    favourite part .........Andrew Wizard

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    He is exactly that. He sneaks in, solves problems, then drinks beer.

  • @etiladuda

    @etiladuda

    6 ай бұрын

    He was so Zen about everything, twas a great series and final upload. I was really pleased it worked out for you. The retuen trip went smooth, Bonus. All the best from Newcastle UK. @@TheBarefootForge

  • @ronaldbailey8778
    @ronaldbailey87785 ай бұрын

    did you find out what caused coolant light to blink

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    5 ай бұрын

    Coming soon in the next chapter!

  • @Mancamp1000
    @Mancamp10006 ай бұрын

    Black electrical tape for the blinking red light on the dash Clorox Clean-Up for the roof and a group paint session to graffiti the sides front and rear of that bus happy trucking friend

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    The bummer about going the electrical tape method is that then I wouldn’t have been able to see and monitor the gauge. The gauge and the light work independently of each other (somewhat), so I was able to still tell if I’d of been over heating….. but ignoring that light of doom really took a lot of mental strength! It’s since been fixed. You think we should clean the roof, or the vehicle in general? I like the patina and moss!

  • @Mancamp1000
    @Mancamp10006 ай бұрын

    By the way I grew up with vanagons my dad sold Volkswagens and I believe we had three of them the last one I loved it was the Wolfsburg edition metallic grey wasn't a synchro and it wasn't a camper and I can tell you I almost flipped it

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    Nice! What’s the best adventure you took one on? How’d ya almost flip it? Time for another! They’re out there, let’s find you one!

  • @Mancamp1000
    @Mancamp10006 ай бұрын

    I was I was thinking catalytic converter being contaminated with the oil and coolant I had a Ford run perfect for about a mile and it would do the same thing the cat was fouled out but it also had 400000 me LOL and I just redone the plastic intake which I drove on way too long which prematurely killed that catalytic converter

  • @TheBarefootForge

    @TheBarefootForge

    6 ай бұрын

    The cat held up!

Келесі