That was me, but it was 6'10" not 6'11". I did 2 things to my 84 GL. I'm not sure if they'll apply to an '89 Westie or not.

First, I relocated the door grab handle, moving it from its position low on the door up to just below the window. this allows my knee room to slide betweeen the door and the steering wheel when I let off the clutch. I think your power steering van has a smaller wheel than my manual steering one, so this may not be an issue for you.

Second, On mine the seat is stopped by 2 tabs at the end of the track. I don't know if Westie captains chairs work the same way or not. If they do, just bend the tabs out of the way and slide the seat back as far as is comfortable. Mark where the retaining bail would need to fit into the track to keep it there. Take the seat out and grind a groove in the track at your mark.

Oddly enough, I also had '71 and '79 loaves. I never had to modify the seats in them at all.

John Flaherty Portland, Maine '84 GL

----- Original Message ----- From: "mike" <mwmiller@CWNET.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Monday, April 22, 2002 12:36 AM Subject: Re: Q: Tall and "Girth Challenged" & a Tip

> I think someone who was 6' 11" posted that he fit in his van so you short > guy should be OK. But of course I wouldn't know. > > Mike > 5'7" the last time I was measured and I'm never getting measured again, so > there. > > > From: Montana <onefieldspaniel@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> > > Reply-To: Montana <onefieldspaniel@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> > > Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 20:49:12 -0700 > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > > Subject: Q: Tall and "Girth Challenged" & a Tip > > > > Hi all, > > I'm 6'2" and weigh 250 pounds. Test drove a '89 Vanagon Westie today and > > didn't quite have enough leg room. In my old buses ('71 and '79) I popped > > the driver's seat off the rails. moved it back an inch, and also added some > > spacers to raise it 3/4 " in height. I could do this on a Vanagon, but am > > limited in rear movement by the sink unit. > > > > Q: Any other creative ways to get more driver's leg room for a Big and Tall > > guy or gal? > > > > Now the Vanagon TIP: > > The owner of the '89 I test drove had installed a carpet shield in the main > > passenger compartment to protect the original carpet. You've seen them at > > office supply stores, they are clear, hard, 1/8 inch thick or so, plastic > > mats that measure about 4'x4' with a tongue that extends another foot or > > so. The tongue is made to protrude into the foot well of a desk. On a > > Vanagon, this tongue protrudes between the two front seats. It looked like > > it took only minimal cutting to fit the interior of a Vanagon Westie. Good > > idea if you're sliding boxes and luggage in and out through the sliding door. > > > > Dave > > Still looking for a 82-91 Vanagon Westie in So. California. > > >