VW diesel swaps into chrysler minivans

[JBG3]

Just curious about what you guys thought about this.  It seems really feasible given how many conversions seem to have been done according to youtube.  I can't deny the attraction of a 7 passenger FWD van that can get 40mpg and has a manual tranny

I was initially watching david of davidsfarm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kix9gsN56I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2KcHpXEa24

then he puts the same motor in a later van-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_14TpgqT8tY


then I saw other links to this one, TDI in a 98 town and country-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZjGusL1Wrw

and heres a TDI in a 95-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiPwnqoEPbA

what do you guys think?  


EDIT-
SHould have typed diesel minivan or caravan into search, instead of diesel chrysler.   
missed arbs entire swap thread!
http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=15633.0

[TylerDurden]

I like the swap. On one hand a wagon has better aero; on the other, the cargo capacity and vast supply of parts are tempting.

[libbydiesel]

Swapping into a vanagon is easier with basically bolt-on components.  I also prefer the vanagon for it's vastly increased interior space for the same footprint. 

[clbanman]

A co-worker has done several VW 1.6 diesel into Caravan swaps.  He says it's lots of fun going to a Chrysler/Dodge dealer to get chassis parts and leaving it running.  He says it usually ends up with all the mechanics out looking at it.
Engine sits really low in the Caravan chassis, so when you pop the hood you can't see anything until you get right up to it.  He makes his own motor mounts.  Biggest issue is custom driveshafts he has made up for VW inners and Caravan outers.    A little underpowered, but great fuel mileage.   

[JBG3]

A co-worker has done several VW 1.6 diesel into Caravan swaps.  He says it's lots of fun going to a Chrysler/Dodge dealer to get chassis parts and leaving it running.  He says it usually ends up with all the mechanics out looking at it.
Engine sits really low in the Caravan chassis, so when you pop the hood you can't see anything until you get right up to it.  He makes his own motor mounts.  Biggest issue is custom driveshafts he has made up for VW inners and Caravan outers.    A little underpowered, but great fuel mileage.   

yeah, I have a diesel conversion GM minivan that I get the same kind of reaction with, it is definitely fun.  Factory techs just can't believe it, its hard for them to think outside the box.  Sorta looking around for the next conversion project on the horizon.  Once you get the bug, you are hooked. 

A FWD 5-speed minivan would be an extremely interesting family vehicle.  I have a work van, the wife wants kids, so on and so forth. 

[libbydiesel]

I like the FWD aspect, but it isn't worth the tradeoff for me of losing a significant amount of interior space, two double beds, swiveling front seats, a sink, frig and stove.  I've owned a Dodge Caravan before and drove it for several years as a daily driver.  It was a distant second or rather third (I'd rather go Toyota...) in the minivan department.   

[JBG3]

I like the FWD aspect, but it isn't worth the tradeoff for me of losing a significant amount of interior space, two double beds, swiveling front seats, a sink, frig and stove.  I've owned a Dodge Caravan before and drove it for several years as a daily driver.  It was a distant second or rather third (I'd rather go Toyota...) in the minivan department.   

theres something to be said for enormous improvements in safety features though, and having a bit of a nose for a crush zone on a family van.  I agree, the vanagon is large inside, but it has limited modern safety features.  Even my mk2 gave the impression that it was a lot larger inside than a mk4.

[theman53]

I would think the cost of the vanagon would be a limiting factor. The caravan was the most popular minivan and widely produced so the numbers are on your side. Where the vanagon wasn't as widely produced, but cooler as it was a VW...and all the good reasons Libby already gave.

[libbydiesel]

I like the FWD aspect, but it isn't worth the tradeoff for me of losing a significant amount of interior space, two double beds, swiveling front seats, a sink, frig and stove.  I've owned a Dodge Caravan before and drove it for several years as a daily driver.  It was a distant second or rather third (I'd rather go Toyota...) in the minivan department.   

theres something to be said for enormous improvements in safety features though, and having a bit of a nose for a crush zone on a family van.  I agree, the vanagon is large inside, but it has limited modern safety features.  Even my mk2 gave the impression that it was a lot larger inside than a mk4.

Think again...  http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=175672

[TylerDurden]

I still have a Westy and owned a Grand Caravan turbo 4cyl.

You can't beat the Vanagon for cool, but the Caravan can load cargo at floor level from the rear, seats seven and Caravan/T&C have abundant parts at the store and boneyard.

[JBG3]

I like the FWD aspect, but it isn't worth the tradeoff for me of losing a significant amount of interior space, two double beds, swiveling front seats, a sink, frig and stove.  I've owned a Dodge Caravan before and drove it for several years as a daily driver.  It was a distant second or rather third (I'd rather go Toyota...) in the minivan department.   

theres something to be said for enormous improvements in safety features though, and having a bit of a nose for a crush zone on a family van.  I agree, the vanagon is large inside, but it has limited modern safety features.  Even my mk2 gave the impression that it was a lot larger inside than a mk4.

Think again...  http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=175672

That pretty much reinforces the utility of a crumple zone. 

[libbydiesel]

The vanagon does have crumple zones, just not to compromise the front passenger area.  Did you read the thread?  Combined speed 90MPH offset head-on collision.  Vanagon folks walked away uninjured, Chrysler folks went to the hospital.

[vanbcguy]

I read a couple of pages, never saw anything but a mention that the Caravan passenger went to the hospital. No mention of key details like seat belt use.

The Caravan's passenger compartment was relatively intact while there was significant buckling on the Vanagon. A big guy like me who only fits so well in a Vanagon probably would have had leg injuries.

[745 turbogreasel]

Where the vanagon wasn't as widely produced, but cooler as it was a VW...and all the good reasons Libby already gave.

The Caravan was  a VW too, just cheaply copied.  Look close, and it  is 98% MK1 bunny with a larger body.

[JBG3]

I read a couple of pages, never saw anything but a mention that the Caravan passenger went to the hospital. No mention of key details like seat belt use.

The Caravan's passenger compartment was relatively intact while there was significant buckling on the Vanagon. A big guy like me who only fits so well in a Vanagon probably would have had leg injuries.

Me too, I read a few pages and saw a caravan passenger went to the hospital, but no greater data, (unless its mentioned much later in the thread)  The vanagon footwell area is destroyed and driver area severely deformed.  I attribute the vanagon driver having no injuries to extreme luck, not design.   I also probably would have had broken legs as well