Bucket is my truck, I named it this because it is like a rusty bucket that you throw all your things and friends into and head to the beach.
Bucket has been with me for about 7 years and it has not always been an easy friendship but rewarding.
Bucket was born somewhere between 1984 and 1986 I think in Germany and made its way to Ghana at some point after that. Bucket has a C in the license plate which means it was a very early import to Ghana as they started with a, then b and went all the way through the alphabet and now they have a whole new system.
Bucket is a Volkswagen Transporter, also called Vanagon in the US, and Caravel or even Kombi in some places. But he is specifically a double cab model meaning it is a truck cab and bed with 3 doors, front seats and back. These were never imported into the US and sold new through the dealerships meaning they are quite rare there and part of my interest in him.
The engine is in the back like the older VWs this was the last models to have the engine in the back. It is also known as a Type3 volkswagen bus or 3rd generation.
When I first got bucket he had a 1.6 liter non turbo diesel. I have gone through a couple of engines due to the age of them and also difficulty in getting good repairs done. I now have a much newer 1.9 liter diesel engine. I like the diesel because the consumption is very low.
I have done a lot of work and different modification:
Paint and body work
Lift and stiffer springs in the front
urethane bushings in the front
New shocks
New tires 195r 14 (one day I want to run a bigger tire on 16inch rims)
Bearings
Breaks
LED light bars
Lots of electrical
Bucket has not been easy to maintain but I have taken him on a number of trips and adventures over the year. Every body loves him and he is a great utility.
