Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 22:38:04 -0800
Reply-To: Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Subject: Re: secret stash uncovered - customs people
In-Reply-To: <AIEFIGCNNANNIHLNFBPECECBCIAA.vanagon@volkswagen.org>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I've been stopped more times going into Canada than leaving. I've crossed
in the one just outside of Glacier NP, and the ones in Northern Idaho and
N.E. Washington. The canadians are nice, but they don't let you leave
a little yellow circle painted on the cement in front of your parked car-
even if it is 20f and your's in a t-shirt... I'm disturbed about how much
finance questions they ask us- how much money do you have immediate access
to (ie ATM) and can you prove this? How much do you have on you, what do
you do for a living, what is your business in Canada, etc. It is really
annoying. As for going into the US, i've been stopped and searched, but
the US customs officials are not as good about putting the bus back in the
same order that they found it- ie leaving your cooler, sleeping bags,
tent, etc outside of the bus. So in that aspect the Canadians are
nicer.
As for leaving no parts untouched, the canadians have that part nailed-
which is sort of suprising for the border in Northern Idaho is a HUGE
avenue of dope transportation from BC into ID.
A few words of advice- be honest, don't bring any dope, etc, excessive
alcohol, look clean and have a neat car. If you are traveling with kids
have passports for them as they are really touchy about kids crossing the
border- somthing about an international kidnapping ring.
Cheers, 'eh!
-Matthew
Matthew Pollard http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
Dept. of Chemistry http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
University of Idaho http://www.uidaho.edu
On Sat, 27 Jan 2001, David Marshall wrote:
> Who gives you a harder time - the Canadian or American boarder people?
>
>
> David Marshall
>
> Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
> 4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
> Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
> mailto:info@fastforward.ca http://www.fastforward.ca
> Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
> . Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
> . Transporter, Unimog and Iltis Sales
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>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Matthew Pollard
> Sent: January 27, 2001 11:33 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: secret stash uncovered
>
>
> This spot is good, but be aware that customs officialys along the
> US-Candad border know where every spot is in the vanagon- including in the
> air-filter, relay box, above the spare tire, etc. I have been stopped a
> few time at the border and the searches are always very complete- leaving
> no place untouched.
> But at the same time, i hide CD's and stuff in there when at high risk
> places like airports and ballparks. etc.
>
> Matthew
>
>
>
> Matthew Pollard http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
> Dept. of Chemistry http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
> University of Idaho http://www.uidaho.edu
>
> On Sat, 27 Jan 2001, Anthony Smola wrote:
>
> > I'm sure that you other Vanagon owners know of the secret stash areas of
> > your van.
> >
> > You think about these sort of things when you're trying to keep from
> getting
> > into trouble.
> >
> > Anyway, If you don't already know this one it's the secret ledge near the
> > spare battery box under
> >
> > the drivers seat. It's the hidden space about 4 inches high and approx 12
> > inches wide
> >
> > and 14 inches deep. Located right below the rotating disc of the captains
> > seat and
> >
> > just in front of the spare battery box. This is where I decided to place a
> > CD changer.
> >
> > This placement gives you ready access by just reaching down between your
> > legs to access the unit
> >
> > 1) peel back carpet in front of the drivers seat and remove the wires from
> > the front of the box ( connects to relay under seat)
> > 2) lay out the dimensions for the CD changer ( 6 disc only) the 10 disc is
> > too tall.
> > 3) measure from the top of the box lip downward approx 2 3/4 inch (caution
> > cut too low and you will cut into the shelf itself)
> > 4) You will have to change the placement of the release rod for the
> captains
> > chairs, because the rod gets in the way of the placement of the changer
> > 5) You can either remove the rod all together and bolt the captains seat
> in
> > the forward position or bend the release rod so that it drops into the
> slot
> > from above.
> > 6) When you remove the sheet metal cutout it will include the hole the
> wires
> > for the aux battery relay. You will also have to reroute the hole through
> > the sheet metal in the front for the DIN cable and aux battery wiring.
> > 7) Route DIN wiring along the path of the aux battery (this is near the
> > center under the sound deadening foam. Be sure to tape down)
> > 8) use 3m adhasive and replace carpet
> > 9) cut carpet down the middle of the newly created opening and fold carpet
> > through opening (this makes a nice safe lip)
> > 10) install cd player so that a little sticks out the front for easy
> access
> > 11) tape rear of changer to the shelf on the rear to prevent movement
> >
> > I've done this to my 85 Westy and you can't even see it from the outside.
> > And best of all you have access to the magazine while driving (mine is
> > Kenwood)
> >
> > Malibu Tony
> >
>
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