Date:         Sun, 16 Apr 2006 12:02:20 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon or Dodge Ram Conversion Van (longish)!
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

To my mind it comes down to paying yourself to do the maintenance or paying
someone else to do it... I get the sense that most, or at least the majority
of those of us on the list have opted for do-it-yourself. You can wind up
with a nice tool kit for the money you 'save', not to mention independence,
along with a sense of accomplishment etc, if you're into that.
If you're unable or unwilling to do the work yourself you might consider
going with the Dodge. The professional mechanics that can service these vans
are a dying breed. There apparently weren't many to begin with.
Having said that, there are a number of knowledgeable listees in your
general area (southern AZ). You could perhaps meet with one or a few and get
some more personal feedback and support. They would likely know the
mechanics in the area to recommend as well. Once you get the van into good
shape it isn't that difficult to keep it that way.
If you're inclined, you can learn to service the A/C yourself. It really
isn't that difficult or expensive. There are many of us that have done this
and can help get you started.

Good luck,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "David M" <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2006 9:34 AM
Subject: Vanagon or Dodge Ram Conversion Van (longish)!


>I own both a 1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon and a 1990 Dodge
> Ram Conversion van. I bought the Vanagon in New York
> in 1999 and drove it cross-country to Phoenix, AZ
> where I now live. It has proven a very versatile
> vehicle, I have hauled furniture and bicycles inside
> it many times. It was the primary 'moving' van when I
> switched apartments. I love the driving position, the
> great turning circle and the roominess. My kids love
> the dining table; we ear our packed lunch in it every
> time we go to a park. It does have a certain
> semtimental value. The problems? (1) The a/c does not
> work and in Arizona that is a real problem as in the
> summer the temperature is over a hundred degrees for
> many months. It is a Freon system and was newly
> charged (cost $450 at VW dealer) by the former owner
> just before I purchased it. It cooled ok for about a
> year or so but now not at all. Right now I can barely
> use the van at all in the summer. (2) The standard
> 2.1L engine which was completely rebuilt (new heads)
> just before I bought it now (10,000 miles later) drips
> fluid. (3) I'm also nervous about the cooling system.
> I have fixed one major and one small leak so far. (4)
> One power-window has ceased to function and is now
> permanently open. (5) The van has two major bodywork
> scrapes, to the rear of the sliding door and on the
> front drivers side corner.
>
> As for the Dodge Van, it's a rock solid van with a
> huge V8 engine (390ci). Amazingly it gets about the
> same gas mileage as the Vanagon. It has a plush
> interior with two front seats, two middle seats and a
> rear bench which converts to a bed (at least will when
> I can figure it out). The two middle seats are
> removable but its not as versatile as the Vanagon
> jump-seat arrangement. The double side doors open
> outward on hinges, not as good as the Vanagon sliding
> door. The a/c was converted to R134 (cost ($850) no
> longer works but I'm hoping it just needs a recharge.
> The body and interior is excellent. Compared to the
> Vanagon it's a lumbering truck-like beast but you do
> get used to it and for long freeway journeys it's
> great. My kids love it. The turning circle sucks
> though, its difficult to make a u-turn anywhere.
>
> My quandary is that in my present fiancial state I can
> only justify keeping one van. I also can't justify
> major repairs or refurbishments on a vehicle I will
> not use much. Its primary use will be as a weekend
> vehicle and for summer trips to surrounding states. If
> I keep the Vanagon, the a/c must be converted to R134
> and repaired but I don't want to end up with a
> money-pit that will cost a lot of money to maintain (I
> only do very limited easy-fix type repairs myself.)
>
> Any and all advice appreciated. Sorry this was so
> long.
>
> David
>
>
>
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