<div><strong>Hi everyone, we’re Willow and Lee... Better known as the Kombi Chronicles – a couple travelling the length of the Americas in our beloved 1976 VW Kombi, Ruby.</strong>
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<div>After over 2000 days on the road, driving through deserts, mountains, jungles, and snow, Ruby has taken us further than we ever dreamed. But now… she needs major help.
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<div>We’ve are currently in Chile and are currently living in a garage with a long list of repairs, including a full engine rebuild. Over the last 6 years we have encountered many mechanical problems and always managed to find a way to get back on the road again. 
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<div>We never in our wildest dreams imagined that we would travel across the Americas and have some how managed to keep going on a very limited budget. 
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<div>Whilst attempting to drive a 500km dirt road, 4000m above sea level in Bolivia, our air intake hose fell off. This resulted in Ruby's engine sustaining major wear inside the cylinders. With limited funds, we spent 6 weeks repairing it as well as we could. But the repairs were not enough and at the start of this year, we noticed that the engine still had a major problem, which announced itself by firing out the dipstick (as well as several litres of oil) whilst we were driving along the Carretera Austral.
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<div>After considering all of our options, we have decided that the best solution is to have the engine worked on by a specialist workshop. So, we made it to Santiago...Chile's capital, (although very nearly didn't, according to the machinist). Instead of buying another second hand block in an unknown condition as we have done before, we have decided to repair what we have as we feel this is the safer option. Every single internal part needs machining and to be honest we're impressed that she got us here. We hope by comprehensively repairing what we have, we can finally leave Chile with something that will last us the duration of our travels. 
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<div>On top of the engine, we have an ever growing list of worn parts and electrical systems that need repairing or replacing if we are going to be able to continue on this incredible VW adventure. Including some tweaks to prevent things in the past which have cost us expensive breakdowns, from dirty air to dirty fuel. 
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<div><strong>Here is a list of all of the work we intend to carry out whilst in the garage</strong>
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<div>Engine:
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<ul>
<li>reboring cylinders; new pistons and rings
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<li>machining crankshaft and con rods; new bottom end bearings
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<li>machining valves and valves seats
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<li>change the oil pump
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<li>replace all gaskets and seals
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<li>professionally clean fuel injectors
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<li>fit fuel pre-filter
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<li>finish new custom air intake with better filter
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<li>replace the radiator
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</ul>
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<div>Electrical
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<li>replace broken main solar panel (500w)
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<li>repair roof rack and add additional panel (165w)
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<li>adjust solar controllers and electrics accordingly
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<li>uprate the headlight bulbs to LED
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<li>fix the ignition switch so hot wiring is not required!
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<li>replace the ECU
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</ul>
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<div>Brakes/Suspension/Transmission
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<li>repair leaking air shocks
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<li>repair braking system so that it brakes equally
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<li>replace front brake caliper
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<li>replace track rods and align wheels
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<li>Add anti-roll bars
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<li>change gear box oil
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<li>replace gear linkage bushings
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<li>upgrade CV boots to something not terrible
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<li>clutch cable
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<li>minimum two new tyres
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</ul>
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<div>Interior/misc
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<ul>
<li>replace wooden floor
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<li>service the Wallas
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<li>repair side step
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<li>modify/repair the poop box
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<li>add external fill for the water tank
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<li>replace broken bike rack
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<li>repair or replace 2 x broken door locks
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<li>Welding - roof leaks, window leaks, broken chassis points. Many, many things need welding
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<div>As you can see we will certainly be busy! While many of these things are not huge costs and we save a lot by doing all the work (except the engine machining ourselves), things certainly add up. 
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<div>This journey has always been about more than travel — it's about inspiring people to live simply, explore the world differently, and chase their dreams, even when the road gets tough.
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<div>If you've ever smiled watching one of our YouTube videos, followed our story online, or dreamed of doing something similar — we’d be incredibly grateful for any support you can give. Every donation, share, or kind word means the world to us (and Ruby).
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<div>We’ll keep you updated every step of the way with photos, behind-the-scenes updates from the garage, and the final moment when Ruby fires back to life ❤️
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<div>Thank you so much for reading this and we are eternally grateful to everyone who chooses to help and support us to continue the adventure.
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<div>Much love,
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<div>Lee, Willow, Aimee, Lexi and of course Ruby
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Dennis van Anraat

andrew phillips

scott wynn

Robert Halstead

Kelly Owens

Lewis Lott

mike schillinger

Mehmet Yusuf

Michael Björk

Joss Tribble

Adam Block

mirjam kuiper

Hannelore Inman

Sameer Merchant

Ian Russell

Nyibal Adams

David Holland

Tracy and Mike Hair

Chloe Williamson

cheryl johnson

The Kombi Chronicles - Ruby Repair Fund

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