Installing the VSS & OBD2 Connector

I ran the VSS and OBD2 signal under the van to the front so I could do a digital, speedo-based VSS and OBD2 connector up front as well as hook in the Subaru cruise control brains up there to it.

In this video, I recorded how I made the final VSS/OBD2 connector which connects to the ECU in the rear of the van.  This connector is for the cable that runs under the Vanagon to the dash.  I wired it to an weather proof connector so it is safe from the elements in the engine bay.  Then, to ensure the aluminum shielding properly dissipates the interference it collects under the van, I wrapped a wire with an eye-let on it and connected that to the van's engine bay where it is grounded.  Finally, (not shown), I sealed it up by wrapping it non-adhesive black vinyl tape and black wire loom.

Wiring Up VSS and OBD2

Here are my plans to wire up VSS and OBD2 connector from the rear of the van to the front.  It is important to have a good signal for the VSS, so shielded 18 AWG copper wire protected by OEM level sheathing was chosen.  The cable has 6 wires, so the other 3 will serve to send OBD2 power, ground, and codes signal from the rear to the front.  There are only 3 wires required for Subaru codes, so I am going to cut a regular OBD2 cable, splice the three wires I need to send, and only route those to the front female connector.  Also, I have a Subaru diagnostic port (includes an female OBD2 connector, of course) that I found at a UPull & Pay for $2.  I'm going to split the signal to that port as well so mechanics working in the back of the van will also have a signal.

A., B, and C. are all housed in a water-proof poly-carbonate case along with the Subaru ECU.
Depending on whether the 3 PIN connectors are put into the VW black box or kept exposed in the engine bay will determine the quality of connector I use.  At the front of the van, all the wires are protected under the dash, so they will be standard connectors.

Last, I will actually be running 2 cables (e.g., 12 wires total) under that van.  The spare wires will come in handy when hooking up Subaru Cruise Control and aftermarket gauges when the time comes.

Upgraded radiator hoses & stainless steel coolant pipes

This weekend, I installed my new Rocky Mountain Westy stainless steel coolant pipes.  I also plugged in a nice, new set of silicon radiator hoses from Van-Cafe.  The new radiator hoses are able to handle larger spare tires, which I will have in the near future (my main tires are 16" and stock is only 14").  The radiator itself was basically new, so instead of swapping it out, I'm selling my new Behr radiator to another Subaru/Vanagon conversion effort here in Boulder that needs it more than me.

Van-Cafe Silicon Radiator Hoses

The RMW coolant pipes actually go in separately, but I put them together beforehand to show them off compared to the old plastic pipes from VW.  Which would you trust your nice Subaru engine with!??

Coolant Pipes:  RMW Stainless Steel vs. 28 year old VW Plastic

Rocky Mtn Westy coolant pipes installed!

The next step is to get the hand re-furbished Vanagon fuel tank installed back under the van where these coolant pipes are.