VW T25 (1979 - 2002)

History of the Volkswagen T25

Introduction

First built in August 1979, the T25, also known in the USA as a Vanagon, and in Germany and the majority of Europe as a T3, was a huge success and a radical jump forward from the evolution between Splitscreen and Bay Window Campers and Transporters.

As you will be able to read below, by the end of production, the humble 1979, 1600cc CT model was replaced by a fuel injected 2100cc DJ unit and the practical, but not great, off road 2 wheel drive configuration was available as a four wheel drive (4x4) model known as a Syncro. The Syncro had a very respectable set of gearboxes and running gear produced in Austria by Puch. The syncro was available in 14 inch and 16 inch wheel sizes. As with the 2 wheel drive version, it could be ordered as a van, window van, microbus, Caravelle, Carat delux microbus, single cab pickup, double cab pickup and even in mid and high top versions, as well as a VW approved camping version made by Westfalia in Germany.

10 useful facts about the T25 (T3)

1. The washer bottle is refilled by lifting the cab mat up, where you will find the washer bottle cap.
2. To top up the brake fluid and on post 1981 versions, clutch fluid, you will need to remove the black cover to the instrument panels. But be careful, if you are a bit rough, the plastic tags holding the assembly to the dashboard break off!
3. On a 2 wheel drive model, both petrol and diesel versions, the fuel tank is at the front (reassuringly straight under the drivers and passengers seats!) Because it has a concave top to the tank, mud and dirt can sit on the top of the tank and rust it out. Worth keeping an eye on.
4. German produced vehicles post August 1985 were dip treated in the factory for rust prevention.
5. If you have air in the water-cooled petrol or diesel models cooling system, it can cause them to overheat. To bleed out the system the front of the vehicle needs to be 30 to 45 cms higher than the rear (take care jacking up vehicles). The bleed valve is behind the grill.
6. The Westfalia models with an elevating roof use the original hole that was designed for the metal ‘tilt and slide’ sunroof and is by far the strongest model of camper with an elevating roof.
7. The last South African produced transporters came with a 5-cylinder petrol engine that in Europe was fitted to the Passat and Audi 80.
8. The 1900cc and 2100cc water-cooled petrol engines are very ‘fussy’ about what antifreeze you use. If you use a run of the mill antifreeze, it can corrode the head studs in a very short number of months, causing all sorts of issues, including loss of power, water leaks into the bores etc. Always use the correct fluid like the J10916, which is made by FEBI in Germany to VW’s original specification.
9. Porsche has created a version of the VW Transporter, but called it a B32, it was built as a limited edition. The van was equipped with 3.2 liter Carrera engine and was originally developed as a support vehicle for the Porsche 959, which took part in Paris-Dakar race.
10. Lastly, a regular call to JK staff is “how do I check and fill up the oil on my T25?” There’s a flap behind the rear number plate. Pull the tag and all will be revealed…

Production history and technical updates

May 1979  Hanover built the first models of the ‘third’ generation Volkswagen Transporter. It was a total redesign of the old Bay Window, being wider with larger windows and tailgate, and a new front style. Very little was carried over from the previous model. There was new suspension, which moved away from the torsion bar system. Powered by either a 1600cc 50bhp (37kw) or 2000cc 70bhp (51kw) air-cooled engine.

February 1981  Introduction of a water-cooled 1600cc diesel engine with 50bhp (37kw). This engine originally came from the Golf.

September 1981 Introduction of the Caravelle, offering a more luxurious interior.

October 1981 Saw the first water-cooled flat four petrol engines in two versions: DF 1900cc 60bhp (44kw) and DG 1900cc 78bhp (57kw). Rear air intakes became plastic inserts.

1982  End of production of air-cooled engined models in Germany.

August 1983  Introduction of a higher spec ‘Caravelle’ with the option of a 4 lamp square grille.

1985  The year of a full ‘revamp’ of the model. Changes included new exhaust systems, front suspension, sliding door locks, fuel injection systems, to name but a few. It is said over 1000 changes were made in this year alone. 1985 also saw the introduction of the Syncro, a four wheel drive vehicle, which was built with Steyr/Daimler/Puch in Austria. Capable of climbing a 54% gradient utilizing a center viscous coupling.

1986  ...Onwards vehicles did not suffer so badly with rust as a result of a new rust treatment in the production process.

September 1990 The last T25 left the Hanover factory, however production carried on in South Africa until the end of 2002. The last Syncro was built in 1992.

Type 25 chassis numbers

The chassis number, also known as the VIN, can be found stamped inside the offside door pillar.  Find the 10th digit of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and, using the table below, this digit will give you the model year.  Please note that the build dates run from August to July not January to December, so for example a 1981 model could have been built in late 1980.

The last 6 digits are the serial nos.

 Type 25 engine specifications

• 1600cc air-cooled
• 2000cc air-cooled
• 1900 > 2100cc water-cooled
• 1600 > 1700cc diesel and turbo diesel

T25 engine numbers

This can be found stamped on the top of the crankcase, centrally above the crankshaft pulley/fan on all petrol engines, and also stamped on the engine block between the injection pump and vacuum pump on all diesels.

Type 25 paint codes

Panel van, with 1 or 2 sliding doors
Single cab pickup
Double cab pickup (DoKa)
Microbus. Features 3 rows of seats and a low spec interior
Caravelle. Features 3 rows of seats and a high spec interior
Syncro 14"". Features 4x4 transmission
Syncro 16"". An even tougher 4x4 model.

The T25 ’Campers’ were converted by various companies. Some, such as Westfalia, used a Microbus as the base vehicle while many others used the cheaper panel van as a starting point.

1. The washer bottle is refilled by lifting the cab mat up, where you will find the washer bottle cap.
2. To top up the brake fluid and on post-1981 versions, clutch fluid, you will need to remove the black cover to the instrument panels. But be careful, if you are a bit rough, the plastic tags holding the assembly to the dashboard break off!
3. On a 2-wheel drive model, both petrol and diesel versions, the fuel tank is at the front (reassuringly straight under the driver's and passengers' seats!) Because it has a concave top to the tank, mud and dirt can sit on the top of the tank and rust it out. Worth keeping an eye on.
4. German-produced vehicles post-August 1985 were dip treated in the factory for rust prevention.
5. If you have air in the water-cooled petrol or diesel models' cooling system, it can cause them to overheat. To bleed out the system the front of the vehicle needs to be 30 to 45 cm higher than the rear (take care jacking up vehicles). The bleed valve is behind the grill.
6. The Westfalia models with an elevating roof use the original hole that was designed for the metal ‘tilt and slide’ sunroof and is by far the strongest model of camper with an elevating roof.
7. The last South African-produced transporters came with a 5-cylinder petrol engine that in Europe was fitted to the Passat and Audi 80.
8. The 1900cc and 2100cc water-cooled petrol engines are very ‘fussy’ about what antifreeze you use. If you use a run of the mill antifreeze, it can corrode the head studs in a very short number of months, causing all sorts of issues, including loss of power, water leaks into the bores etc. Always use the correct fluid like the J10916, which is made by FEBI in Germany to VW’s original specification.
9. Porsche has created a version of the VW Transporter, but called it a B32, it was built as a limited edition. The van was equipped with a 3.2 litre Carrera engine and was originally developed as a support vehicle for the Porsche 959, which took part in the Paris-Dakar race.
10. Lastly, a regular call to JK staff is “How do I check and fill up the oil on my T25?” There’s a flap behind the rear number plate. Pull the tag and all will be revealed…

• May 1979  Hanover built the first models of the ‘third’ generation Volkswagen Transporter. It was a total redesign of the old Bay Window, being wider with larger windows and tailgate, and a new front style. Very little was carried over from the previous model. There was new suspension, which moved away from the torsion bar system. Powered by either a 1600cc 50bhp (37kw) or 2000cc 70bhp (51kw) air-cooled engine.
• February 1981  Introduction of a water-cooled 1600cc diesel engine with 50bhp (37kw). This engine originally came from the Golf.
• September 1981 Introduction of the Caravelle, offering a more luxurious interior.
• October 1981 Saw the first water-cooled flat four petrol engines in two versions: DF 1900cc 60bhp (44kw) and DG 1900cc 78bhp (57kw). Rear air intakes became plastic inserts.
• 1982  End of production of air-cooled engined models in Germany.
• August 1983  Introduction of a higher spec ‘Caravelle’ with the option of a 4 lamp square grille.
• 1985  The year of a full ‘revamp’ of the model. Changes included new exhaust systems, front suspension, sliding door locks, fuel injection systems, to name but a few. It is said over 1000 changes were made in this year alone. 1985 also saw the introduction of the Syncro, a four wheel drive vehicle, which was built with Steyr/Daimler/Puch in Austria. Capable of climbing a 54% gradient utilizing a center viscous coupling.
• 1986  ...Onwards vehicles did not suffer so badly with rust as a result of a new rust treatment in the production process.
• September 1990 The last T25 left the Hanover factory, however production carried on in South Africa until the end of 2002. The last Syncro was built in 1992.

The chassis number, also known as the VIN, can be found stamped inside the offside door pillar.  Find the 10th digit of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and, using the table below, this digit will give you the model year.  Please note that the build dates run from August to July not January to December, so for example a 1981 model could have been built in late 1980.

The last 6 digits are the serial nos.

10th digit             Model year         Build date

A                            1980                     1st Aug 79 > 31st Jul 80

B                            1981                     1st Aug 80 > 31st Jul 81

C                            1982                     1st Aug 81 > 31st Jul 82

D                            1983                     1st Aug 82 > 31st Jul 83

E                            1984                      1st Aug 83 > 31st Jul 84

F                             1985                     1st Aug 84 > 31st Jul 85

G                            1986                     1st Aug 85 > 31st Jul 86

H                            1987                     1st Aug 86 > 31st Jul 87

J                              1988                     1st Aug 87 > 31st Jul 88

K                             1989                     1st Aug 88 > 31st Jul 89

L                             1990                     1st Aug 89 > 31st Jul 90

M                            1991                     1st Aug 90 > 31st Jul 91

N                            1992                     1st Aug 91 > 31st Jul 92

1600cc air-cooled
2000cc air-cooled
1900 > 2100cc water-cooled
1600 > 1700cc diesel and turbo diesel

T25 engine numbers

This can be found stamped on the top of the crankcase, centrally above the crankshaft pulley/fan on all petrol engines, and also stamped on the engine block between the injection pump and vacuum pump on all diesels.

CODE     CC           BHP        NOTES

1600cc Air-Cooled

CT           1600cc   50 bhp    Flat 4

2000cc Air-Cooled

CU          2000cc   70 bhp   Flat 4

CV           2000cc   70 bhp   Flat 4

1900>2100cc Water-Cooled

EY           1900cc   55 bhp   Flat 4

DF           1900cc   60 bhp   Flat 4

SP           1900cc   73 bhp   Flat 4

DG          1900cc   78 bhp   Flat 4

DH          1900cc   83 bhp   Flat 4

GW         1900cc   90 bhp   Flat 4

SR           2100cc   87 bhp   Flat 4

SS            2100cc   92 bhp   Flat 4

MV         2100cc    95 bhp   Flat 4

DJ           2100cc    112 bhp  Flat 4

1600>1700cc Diesel and Turbo Diesel

CS           1600cc   50 bhp   Inline 4

KY           1700cc   57 bhp   Inline 4

JX            1600cc   70 bhp   Inline 4

Please note, most of the versions sold as “Campers” started out as vans or microbuses and were converted by companies such as Viking, Devon and Bilbos. They very often painted the bottom half to give it a distinctive 2 tone look, but almost certainly not using original VW colours!  JK supply a wide range of camper interior parts for conversion and restoration. Paint code information is correct to the best of our knowledge, however, we accept no responsibility for erroneous information.

LH8B      Assuan Brown

L86Z       Agate Brown

LA8A      Marian Brown

LH8B      Mocca Brown

L90D      Pastel White

LH9D     Damuso White

L567      Ivory

LP7Y       Flash Silver Metallic

LH7V      Wolfram Grey Metallic

LB7Y      Vesuve Grey Metallic

L20B      Black

LH1N     Samos Beige

LH8T      Timor Beige

LH8U     Bronze Beige Metallic

LH1V      Savannah Beige Metallic

LL1M     Beige

LA1N     Nevada Beige

LT6A       Escorial Green

LH5H     Cornat Blue

LY5B       Copenhagen Blue

LH5K      Guinea Blue

LH5G     Medium Blue

LA5D      Monaco Blue

LH5T      Kuril Blue

LH5U     Dove Blue Metallic

LA5B      Marine Blue

LK5E       Capri Blue

LP5Z       Orly Blue Metallic

LH1B      Bamboo Yellow

L20B      Brilliant Orange

LH3D     Marsala Red

LB3V      Titan Red Metallic

LC3Y       Bordeaux Red Metallic

LY3D      Tornado Red