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VW diesel swaps into chrysler minivans
by
JBG3
on 17 Dec, 2013 07:31
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#1
by
TylerDurden
on 17 Dec, 2013 08:00
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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.
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#2
by
libbydiesel
on 17 Dec, 2013 08:26
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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.
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#3
by
clbanman
on 17 Dec, 2013 09:23
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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.
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#4
by
JBG3
on 17 Dec, 2013 09:37
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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.
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#5
by
libbydiesel
on 17 Dec, 2013 11:00
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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.
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#6
by
JBG3
on 17 Dec, 2013 12:26
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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.
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#7
by
theman53
on 17 Dec, 2013 13:24
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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.
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#8
by
libbydiesel
on 17 Dec, 2013 16:14
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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
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#9
by
TylerDurden
on 17 Dec, 2013 17:54
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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.
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#10
by
JBG3
on 17 Dec, 2013 18:00
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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.
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#11
by
libbydiesel
on 17 Dec, 2013 18:09
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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.
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#12
by
vanbcguy
on 17 Dec, 2013 21:42
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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.
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#13
by
745 turbogreasel
on 18 Dec, 2013 01:57
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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.
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#14
by
JBG3
on 18 Dec, 2013 04:07
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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
