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Date:         Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:33:11 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: My First Westy!
In-Reply-To:  <bb9dd3cb05062718121a4cf892@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

> > > - Northern California vehicle, no rust. > - Original air-cooled engine. 70 mph on the highway, 30-35 up > steeper > hills (think Yosemite) > - Broken odometer @ just over 110K, estimated mileage 118K. Do you > recommend getting it fixed? I'd kind of like to watch the mileage > rack up > :-) I read in a post that the cost would be ~$300?

I doubt it would be that much, but I don't know the prices on those aircooled models. It's a very simple thing to change out on a vanagon. When you find a used one, just post a question and I'm sure you'll get lots of help.

> - All the plastic wall and ceiling lining is removed or falling off. > Is this a problem? Do most other folks rip it out as well?

A common problem. I ripped mine out, went down to the upholstery shop and bought some vinyl I liked. I pulled out every piece of paneling and recovered it. Use a heat gun and scraper to get of every scrap of old stuff. Then glue on the new. DONT use a spray product, Either roll on high-temp cement with a roller, or go to a wallpaper store and get the industrial vinyl paste. That's the best. Brush it on and then put on the vinyl. Leave it overnight and it will draw up tight, all imperfections will be gone if you made a smooth finish.

Trim and re-install. Be warned you will have to take the rear top cabinet out, so have help. It isn't hard with help, it's impossible without it. Likewise for the headliner up front, but that can be done singlehandedly.

> - Poptop seal needs to be glued back on. Suggestions on what to use? > - Where to put my drinks?!?!?!!? Have already found lots of info on > this one...

Gowesty sells nice cupholders. Mount two like the later vanagons, about an inch off the floor on the side of the passenger seat pedestal in the walkway, opposite the gearshift. Another one can go my the ashtray in the panel behind the sliding door, and another one on the rear side of the stove cabinet, high enough to miss the table. > - I am still trying to sort out how to use the stove, sink and > fridge. > I'll figure it out, and ask any specific questions later. Have > already > learned a lot about the fridge from some posts - thanks! > - Can't open sliding door from the outside - no biggie really, makes > it more secure from thieves! > - No A/C, starts getting hot in temps 85 and above. Is it worth > considering A/C installation? Approx cost?

I don't think you can do that on an aircooled. On my no-AC diesel, I use 12v fans. they work amazingly well. Email me and I'll send you pictures of how to mount them with big magnets so you can move them around and aim them perfectly.

Jim

> - Tires will need to be replaced next year - have already seen some > good tips on the list, thanks! > - Does anybody know where can find out which colors were available > in > 1983? I found a link that had other years listed, but not 1983. I'd > like to > find out exactly what the name of my color is, although I am > guessing it was > just called "green". > > Here's what I already had fixed, before heading to Yosemite: > > - Rear hatch struts replaced > - Oil change; oil tank leak fixed > - Gas tank leak fixed > - New front brake pads > > Thanks everybody. My favorite moment so far was the day after I bought > it, > my excitement still at the very high end of the spectrum, and I was > driving > back home leisurely through wine country... the driver of an orange > Vanagon > Westy waved to me... it felt like a welcome to the club. So, I'm > looking > forward to waving to some of you folks soon! > Cheers all, > Stacy >


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