Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2006 10:33:24 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject: Re: Newbie ,?? Tach, wheels, seat belts,
yeah I searched the archives
In-Reply-To: <BAY113-DAV71A39AE908047F09EDD62DF940@phx.gbl>
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Ryan,
Delving further into your seatbelt questions, please clarify why you feel that you need to install a retracting belt when your child switches to forward facing. The stock belt is not as easy to adjust as a retracting one but it will hold its position securely and a child safety seat will work with it. As I mentioned earlier shoulder belts are an option and should be done at some point for the benefit of any larger child or adult that uses your rear seat but won't affect your childs need for years. If or when you install shoulder belts you should also consider head rests as anyone tall enough to use a shoulder belt properly will need them for whiplash protection.
Feel free to pmail me with any questions on this issue. My wife is a great resource for this topic as she owns a childrens store and both she and several of her staff are NHTSA certified in child safety seat installation which consists of a week long course, a text book the size of a phone book, and recertification every couple of years.
Mark in AK
87 Westy Syncro hauling a 3yr old, a 12yr old, and a Great Dane
----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Shawley <easywind1975@HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Sunday, June 4, 2006 5:04 pm
Subject: Newbie ,?? Tach, wheels, seat belts, yeah I searched the archives
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Hi there I've been lurking around for a month or so prior and now
> after the purchase of my 86 Westy. I bought the WEsty in central
> PA and so far things have been well with it. There are a few
> things I'd like to tweak and add so now I'm gonna post a few
> questions.
> 1. My tach does not work, searching the archives brings up lots
> of info on swapping in a tach or adjusting for a Subaru engine but
> nothing specific to troubleshooting a stock tach. I have had the
> instrument cluster out and the plug is connected and all other
> lights and stuff work (except LCD clock but...) The van does have
> an aftermarket cruise control which does not appear to work. How
> do I troubleshoot this? What sort of signal does the lead for the
> tach emit (the green wire in dash) can this be safely read with a
> multimeter with the engine running? Can I test the actul meter
> itself to see if it works?
>
> 2. My wheels are black steel wheels with the chrome cover over
> the inner half of the wheel. This is not very attractive on the
> white Westy. I don't have the dough to pick up alloys. I'm
> looking for a decent deal on the stock wheel covers (the full size
> ones) but will any 14" wheel cover work? What about the later
> 90's Jetta covers? I've seen the question asked a few times but I
> couldn't find any definitive replies.
>
> 3. I have an 8 mos old daughter so the same old car seat
> questions apply. In PA infants must be rear-facing until 1 yr old
> (as it should be in all states), so the stock lap belt is OK, not
> great. I'll have to upgrade to retracting lap belt when she goes
> forward facing and I'd like to get a retracting lap belt installed
> now. I realize the passengers side lap belt is easily doable in
> the Westy bench, but is there a retracting style lap belt (is this
> called the inertia wheel belt?) for the other side? Does anyone
> have a shoulder belt setup on the cheap they'd like to hook me up
> with? Will the front seat shoulder belt work in the back? Some
> of this is in the archive but it gets a little confusing and I
> think some conflicting information is out there.
>
> 4. I've read about some listmembers using a roofing material for
> sound proofing. I've found some stuff at lowes and home depot
> that is about 50$ for a big roll, can anyone give me some brand
> names or tell me where I can get this stuff in smaller quanities?
>
> 5. Is anyone going to the All Good Festival in WV in July?
>
> Ryan
>
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