What spare parts should i carry?
Its a question I get asked often. Especially for folks making the trip down Baja to see us. Since space is limited, we cant carry everything that might break on our old VW’s, so instead I believe its smart to focus on the things that will leave us “dead in the water”. What does that mean? It means to try to carry spare parts for things that if they break, will leave you stuck on the side of the road. Below is a list of parts that I would highly recommend you bring with you on any trip in your Vanagon, in no particular order. Keep in mind, that even if you are not mechanical yourself and will be relying on someone else to help in case of breakdown, most of these parts are not readily available nearby. If you have the parts on hand, any halfway decent mechanic can get you back on the road. If you dont have the part, depending on where in the world you break down, you could be stranded for a bit while you wait for parts to arrive. Carrying these parts or not, is also not an excuse not to perform regular maintenanace on your Van with a qualified mechanic. You should check over your vehicle every time before going on a long trip, and then daily when driving long distances.
Essentials
- Ignition Switch. These go out often, and when one goes bad, you wont be able to start your van. They are small, and inexpensive.
- Ignition coil.
- CV Joint, boot, and grease as well as the correct CV bolt bit
- A set of engine belts. If you have to choose only one, carry the alternator belt, you cant run the engine without it as it both powers your alternator which powers your van, and drives the water pump. Don’t forget to pull over immediately if your battery light comes on the dash, you have seconds before you overheat after your Alternator belt snaps, and this is your only warning! You can drive without a power steering belt, and without a A/C belt, although obviously those will not work.
- Neutral safety switch (if you have an automatic Vanagon)
- Fuel Filter
- Fuel Pump
- Spare fuses, assortment of 5amp, 10amp, 20amp, and 30amp
- Distributor cap and rotor
- A basic set of tools, screw driver (flat and Philips head), assorted wrenches and sockets (metric) 10mm, 11mm, 13mm, 17mm and 19mm being the most important. The more the better but you have to balance this with available space. Wire strippers, multimeter, pliers, electrical tape. I have designed and sell a product called The Westy Bravo that stores all of your tools nicely on the back of your Westfalias wardrobe cabinet.
- At least 1 quart of oil for your engine 20w-50 if you are driving a stock engined Vanagon
- A few lengths of wire for making electrical repairs if necessary, and some butt connectors, and spade connectors
The Westy Bravo rear cabinet tool organizer is great for storing spare parts.
Recommend
Notes for those traveling Mexico:
Fortunately for us, the Vanagon shares some parts with T2 Combis made and sold in Mexico. You can usually find these parts, depending on how remote you are. I’ve even gotten a ignition coil from an Autozone in a pinch (its still going in that van). Just remember that when you are searching for these parts, you will need to tell who you are speaking to that you are looking for X part for a Combi, not a X part for a Vanagon. Vanagons were never sold here and Vanagon specific parts are pretty much non existent.
Parts i’ve found available in Mexico that are sold for Mexican Combis, but will work on Vanagons:
Parts available nearly everywhere in Mexico, though not in the middle of nowhere:
Could you carry more spare parts? Sure. Did I miss a thing or two, probably (though ill continue to update this list). But this is a good baseline for anyone traveling in their van. A great many have traveled great distances with nothing but the shirts on their back and been just fine. Is that wise with a 40 year old VW? Probably not. One thing is for sure, carrying these spares with you, besides needing to store them, will only help you. You don’t need them until you need them, and when you do, its usually at the worse possible time. So limit your stress and be proactive!
- A set of Spark Plugs
- Radiator Fan Resistor (without this you wont have low or middle fan speeds)
- Radiator Fan Switch (not essential because in a pinch you can jump the fan with a paperclip or piece of wire)
- Throttle cable (If yours is old or unknown, move this to essential)
- A gallon of coolant (you can use water in a pinch so thats why this is recommended and not essential)
- Temp 2 sensor (for stock engined vans)
Notes for those traveling Mexico:
Fortunately for us, the Vanagon shares some parts with T2 Combis made and sold in Mexico. You can usually find these parts, depending on how remote you are. I’ve even gotten a ignition coil from an Autozone in a pinch (its still going in that van). Just remember that when you are searching for these parts, you will need to tell who you are speaking to that you are looking for X part for a Combi, not a X part for a Vanagon. Vanagons were never sold here and Vanagon specific parts are pretty much non existent.
Parts i’ve found available in Mexico that are sold for Mexican Combis, but will work on Vanagons:
- CV Joints
- CV boots
- Axle nuts
- Drum brakes
- Rear wheel bearings
- Ignition coils
- Fuel filters (make sure you get ones for Fuel Injected Combis)
- Spark plug wires
Parts available nearly everywhere in Mexico, though not in the middle of nowhere:
- Oil
- Coolant
- ATF Fluid
- Brake Fluid
- Cheap oil filters (Fram most likely, not Mann which is recommended)
- Fuses
- Grease
Could you carry more spare parts? Sure. Did I miss a thing or two, probably (though ill continue to update this list). But this is a good baseline for anyone traveling in their van. A great many have traveled great distances with nothing but the shirts on their back and been just fine. Is that wise with a 40 year old VW? Probably not. One thing is for sure, carrying these spares with you, besides needing to store them, will only help you. You don’t need them until you need them, and when you do, its usually at the worse possible time. So limit your stress and be proactive!
