The Vanagon Dictionary

Number of mounting points for VW emblem on front hood

• emblem
• hood

Front beam with a removed section to decrease total width

• suspension
• modification

Vertical structural element between the front and rear doors

• vanagon
• t25
• pickup

VW Bus front bench seat used from 1961 to 1962

• bus
• seat
• bench

Bus model with individual front seats, allowing passage to the rear.

• bus
• seats

Logo or badge on the front grille of the vehicle

• exterior
• vanagon
• t25

System that warns driver of potential front-end collision

• safety
• warning
• collision

A model of bus that has no side windows behind the front doors. usually a commercial model.

A U-shaped piece of metal on the front and rear of the Beetle

• apron
• metal
• beetle

In a Syncro drivetrain, a driveshaft decoupler disconnects the prop shaft so the front axle is no longer driven through it; it is not the front differential lock. A Gerry discussion on 16 May 2004 compares the original non-viscous-coupling layout, which used a driveshaft decoupler, with viscous-coupling Syncros while debating front-lock behavior. The thread is historical community discussion, not a retrofit procedure; identify the drivetrain configuration before interpreting parts or controls.

• vw
• syncro
• drivetrain

Front or rear lift-up portion of an auto body for engine or trunk access

• auto
• body
• engine

A type of independent suspension used on the front axle of a car.

• suspension
• axle

A metal bar that hooks over the front beam of a VW for towing

• tow
• bar

Protective plate attached to the front axle to protect the undercarriage during off-roading

• off-roading
• vw

Term referring to VW Type II vehicles with a divided front windshield, manufactured before 1968

• bus
• vw

A number stamped behind the passenger front seat on buses, used before the M-Code plate.

• bus
• body

A component that contains the parts that supply power to the rear wheels, located in front of the engine.

• vanagon
• transmission

A type of front windshield that tilts outward for additional ventilation. found only on Microbuses , and usually only on on those in equatorial/tropic countries.

A small radiator that transfers heat from engine coolant to air for the cabin heating system. Vanagons may have front and additional rear heat exchangers, depending on equipment and market.

• engine
• water-cooled
• heating

The front-mounted heat exchanger in a water-cooled Vanagon's engine-coolant circuit. It releases heat from circulating coolant to outside air. Air-cooled Type 2 buses do not use an engine-coolant radiator.

• engine
• water-cooled
• cooling

Winnebago converts some EuroVans into mini-motorhomes, by adding Winnebago's own body (aft of the front doors) that's about 20"-24" wider than the normal EuroVan. Inside they install sink, stove, refridgerator, toilet, bed, & cabinets. The Rialta is sold through Winnebago's own network of RV dealers.

The four-wheel drive version of the Vanagon , made between 1986 and 1991. using a viscous coupling arrangement, the front wheels could be made to automatically provide pulling power (at any time the rear wheels began to slip or spin). This term also applies to the four-wheel drive EuroVans , which are unfortunately not imported into the United States.

Vehicle Identification Number. This is a number that uniquely identifies your vehicle. It is usually located in several locations on the vehicle, the most common being under the windscreen just forward of the driver (and intended to be viewed from the outside of the bus.) You'll also find the VIN on the frame rail under the van near the front edge of the sliding door. Also see: Table for interpretting the Vanagon VIN

In Gerry’s preserved FAQ alignment article, “Camper model” refers to the heavier Vanagon Syncro camper configuration, with separate alignment values from lighter non-camper vehicles. A Gerry discussion on 15 October 2003 about the “official” Syncro alignment specs quotes the chart for 1986–1991 Syncro campers with dual batteries up front; a 1999 thread separately asks about an almost-empty 1986 Syncro. These historical sources show why the exact load and configuration matter, not a current alignment specification. Use service data for the specific vehicle.

• model
• variant