Help me decide!

[Inane Cathode]

I've decided i'm going to upgrade to a bus come this summer. That's a long way off, and i have plenty of time to ponder, but, i'd like some input.

I don't really know which kind i should get though. I like the look of the bay windows, and they're a lot more recognizable than the toyota looking water cooled buses, but they're lawn mower, and that means retrofitting them for water cooling all over again just like i had to do with my beetle, as well as building a heater.

I would also like to get a camper, but they're so godawful expensive it seems like, plus can't i get a 7 passenger regular bus and retrofit it to /be/ a camper with the right roof and scavenged caravan parts?

I am going to use the subaru setup out of my beetle, in said bus, so engines arent very important. I just dont know if its worth it to get the water cooled bus just to save the effort of building a cooling and heating system from scratch again if it turns out those arent that great of vehicles anyway.

A little help?

[13 window deluxe]

the bay window drives well for the age a late type4 van with servo brakes and the taller geared 091 gearbox is a bonus

a microbus/ kombi with the seats removed and a homemade camper interior is a good option

its well worth the effort the new motor will make the van better on fuel faster and more reliable plus a water heated heater will make the van more useable
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1964 rat 13 window deluxe 1Z tdi,
1975 rhd twin slider tintop (TBA)
1991 golf 2 gti with tweaked AHU tdi,

previous tdi swaps: gone but not forgotten
1979 rhd twin slider tintop bay ahu 1.9tdi
1990 T25 1Z 1.9tdi
1993 suzuki samurai with 1Z 1.9tdi

[Inane Cathode]

What years should i be looking for for the breadloaf bus with the servo brakes?

I dunno maybe the look of the newer ones hasnt grown on me yet, but they kinda look like shuttles from star trek haha

[ElusiveStranger]

[Inane Cathode]

What's a bongo?

I have always been curious, can you graft a split window front clip onto a bay?

[Inane Cathode]

Arg! A 71 westfalia with a rebuilt engine and needing a clutch just popped up on the local classifieds for $1k, i've only $.5k, too early, damn!

[Griff71]

I can honestly say i am unbiased.

Split
I owned a Split for years and although they look great when done and they can be driven everyday they do not handle stop unless you have a fat wallet or vast engineering skills. Mine had a big lawn mower motor in modded brakes and suspension and it was still sketchy. Not mocking in anyway (i want mine back) but steer clear if you haven't got bottomless pockets.

Bay
I have not owned a bay but driven a few and they have all the upgrades necessary for the split, better brakes/suspension. Plus my opinion they feel a bit more sure footed on the road than a Split. If classic looks are what you are looking for but funds are not endless possibly the best to go for. However if you put a front clip from a split or a so called baysplits front end on it you will get no further advice on here or possibly any other forum. Yes people will laugh at you behind your back. This is a big NO!

T25(lawn mower)
My personal opinion is these are a complete waste of time. Same amount of work as a bay to convert although you have far, far superior suspension and good brakes (same as a late bay)

T25/T3 (watercooled)
By far the easiest and cheapest to convert as you used the current pipework and cooling. Direct fit Subaru-VW bellhousing available. (See: rjes.com).
Superior suspension as stock, excellent brakes. Just a case of lowering and fitting some rims and tyres and i guarantee you could leave and bay/split behind on an enthusiastic drive.

End of the day it's what you want and can realistically afford. I remember saying i never wanted a bay and would never have a T25 as they were poo. I was split all the way. Certainly won't be ridding myself of my T3 crew any time soon. Really enjoy it more than i have any bay or split.

Griff

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

[Griff71]