89 Crew Cab (Subaru conversion)

[Griff71]

The time has come when i have to let my beloved Crew Cab go to a new home. Owned 6 years and has been an ongoing project and an extremely reliable daily driver covering 25k per year. I have done absolutely loads to it with a cost of 4k for parts alone, all work carried out by me so that figure could be doubled if paying a garage for labour. Please note i am a qualified welder and ex mechanic with numerous restoration projects under my belt .

The list of work done of mods and repairs is endless, but i can honestly say it is now rot free after 3 months of welding so should be great for years to come. It is also (correct me if i am wrong) probably the lowest driveable bus you will find thanks to trick suspension from the states. Yes this really does handle and doesn't scrub tyres out due to extra adjustment for camber. Which is a must to make the most of the 2.5 Subaru conversion in the rear.

GOOD STUFF:

Mechanical

2.5 Subaru Conversion (recent replacement with 68k on Subaru clock). The last motor had taken the Crew around Europe fully loaded and covered 150k (80k in this Crew Cab). So was getting a bit tired. Converted using RJES bellhousing an parts which in my opinion are the best available. Has built in diagnostics/fault reader. Just serviced with oil, filters, cam belt and plugs.

Stainless coolant pipes front to back.

New rubber hoses.

Full Stainless RJES Exhaust sytem. £650 new.

Burley Motorsports Upper Wishbones (imported from states) for really low T3s and allowing the camber to be adjusted property and back to factory settings.

Springs and Shocks were one offs imported from Germany for really low T3's. No make specified but were nearly £600. Total drop at front 125mm rear 80mm against a stock van.

17" AMG Mercedes Alloys with extra load low profiles front and back. 205/40 and 225/45 rear.
16" spare wheel.

New drums, discs and pads.

Stock 4 speed box but with new selector bushes. Works great with conversion and extremely quick acceleration when needed with ok MPG (better than stock 1.9dg).

Maestro light conversion which looks and works better than the VW units. Also has a relay upgrade so they are loads brighter.

Wicked heating via Subaru engine and VW matrix.

Make no mistake this truck is low but it really does handle and can seriously be chucked around and be great fun. I also drive a Subaru so i do know what a decent car should handle like.


Body

New and replaced:
Cab steps
Front Arches
Rear Arches
Sills
Battery tray
Rear corners
Rear Valance

Carat front bumper and door pods.
Raised seat boxes to cater for extra travel in suspension. No loss in headroom i am 6`2".
Repaired luggage doors and floor.
Flat bed has been stripped and restored and replaced with alloy chequer plate.
Underside is painted Red.
Debadged front grille and spoiler. Made by me.

Interior

Has Subaru Legacy full leather recliners up front modifed to work fully.
Caravelle rear bench fitted with rear belt facility. 1 belt fitted.
Chequer Plate dash panel.
Partly trimmed interior (see pics).
Grey headliner.

BAD BITS:

I painted the truck a while ago in Audi Nimbus grey mainly to cover and protect the work carried out. It is not a great job but this is a daily. Paint is not great as the previous owner painted the truck in bitumen and black board paint with a brush!!! So unless it is taken right back to bare metal (was my intention) a show finish won't be achievable.

Interior could do with your own stamp on it, not finished but practical. Needs 2 rear belts. 1 in place.

Tonneau cover is torn and needs repairing but frame could also do with a re think.

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Goes like stink est around 170hp so that is 100hp increase. However stops and goes like the engine belongs in there from the factory.

Make no mistake you will struggle to find another Crew Cab like this and with your own finishing touch and work on it this will be one hell of a Crew Cab. I will seriously go away and cry for a while when she goes as i really love this bus. Problem is i have 4 cars and a house project and one just has to go. I want to racing so my bug drew the lucky straw.

There are crusty crew cabs going for 3-4k and i have seen tidy stockers going for 5-6k. With the mods and the work it is hard for me to know what to advertise this at. Read the ad carefully and note how much this would take to build. No negative comments please, if you don't like it go tell someone who gives a poo. This is a solid, maintained and well built Crew Cab that can be driven everyday and will go anywhere. embarrassing hot hatches along the way if needed.

Sensible offers around £5k.
No part ex's however tempted as i have no space.
1000s of pics so please ask if you want to see anymore.

Has 12 months MOT and 6 Months tax.
Griff

griff71@live.com
07811408790




















(ES edit - image links fixed)
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89 Crew Cab (Subaru 2.5na)
71 Drag Bug (1955cc dual 40s)
65 Ragtop Bug (low & stock)

[splitbusvanatic]

Looks like a great conversion.
I'd love it if I had the funds,
Maestro Lights are a dinger of a mod.
GLWS.

[Griff71]

Will be at Busfest (Vanfest) on Saturday. Now on ebay as an auction with no reserve.
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89 Crew Cab (Subaru 2.5na)
71 Drag Bug (1955cc dual 40s)
65 Ragtop Bug (low & stock)

[KARMAD]

i'll be there from tomoro evening

[Griff71]

Now sold.
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89 Crew Cab (Subaru 2.5na)
71 Drag Bug (1955cc dual 40s)
65 Ragtop Bug (low & stock)

[ElusiveStranger]

Dude
Hope she's gone to a good home
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The advice you receive on here is worth the paper it's written on.
Your experiences are worth shed loads to others, including the f'ups - live and learn.
Wouldn't YOU rather learn by someone else's mistakes? So would they.

'78 Bay, 2 litre 091 box, EJ20 NA & the ashtray's on the 'right' side.
I don't lean forward for hills any more
Bugger, missed out on "Live fast, die young"