Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2006 13:27:56 -0500
Reply-To: "Dr.Chris" <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Dr.Chris" <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Stock or able to return to stock vs. custom?
In-Reply-To: <5.2.0.9.2.20061109113226.0280de10@mail-hub.optonline.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
My van is NOWHERE NEAR stock, but I suppose some of it could be taken off:
- Front and rear AC (front unit is BEHR aftermarket) - PITA to remove
but why would you?
- Two gas heaters (Webasto BBW46 & Eberspacher B1L) - The BBW46 is
stock, the B1L reuired some cutting of the water tank cabinet
- Volks Cafe big bumpers w/ front and rear 2" hitches - Bolt on
- SA grille with headlight relay setup - Wiring modification
- Six 15" SA Alloy Rhein Wheels with Michelin Agilis 51 215/65-15
tires - Bolt on (but you'd need to remove the SA brakes
- Volks Cafe oversized spare tire carrier - Bolt on
- side step - Bolt on
- bra - Easily removable (like all good bras)
- silver reflective window insulation pads for all windows - Easily Removable
- "secret audio" radio and 6 disc CD changer - Done because I lost my
stereo spot when I put in the Behr. Could easily be replaced
- optima auxiliary battery - uses silver relay, stock wiring
- 2 battery trickle chargers (wired into shore power) - Easily removed
- SA "Big Brake" Kit - need whole new front brakes
- SA super heavy duty mud flaps - required drilling
- 12.4 gallon aux. fuel tank - not yet installed but would require
drilling at stock 2WD filler location
- smoked glass turn signals & tail lamps - Easily replaced
- removable middle bench seat - Easily replaced
- removable front bench seat (passenger side, replaces passenger seat -
color does not match) - Easily replaced
- Eurovan type sink faucet, easily replaced
- rear hatch, skylight, sliding door, and front window (driver and
passenger) screens - Need to remove velcro
- full width front rubber floor mat - Easily replaced
- Yakima 4 bike swing away hitch rack - Easily removed
- rear three point seat belts - Not yet installed but would require
drilling cabinet and rear D pillar
- S&S header exhaust system - Easily replaced
- seven horns (wired inline) - Stock horn remains, additional six easily removed
- oversized wiper blades (21" & 19") - Easily cahnged
- cab window vent inserts - Easily removed
- Easily removedVW logo stove grill inserts
- propane tank gauge - Easily removed
- Adventurewagen top replacing Westfalia Top - Big job would require
filling all holes drilled to connect AW top, obtaining a new pop top
and canvas (I traded mine for shop time to do the conversion)
- 2 to 3 layers of B-Quiet soundproofing layering the entire interior
- HUGE job to remove
But realisticly I plan to use my van for camping until the end of its
days. If I am not ever going to sell it resale value means almost
nothing. The mods I have made make it more comfortable for driving and
camping and that is the way I like it. If I decide to have a low
milage cream puff garage / trailer queen I'll pick up another van.
Chris
On 11/9/06, Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@pobox.com> wrote:
> I nearly agree... I've *added* a lot of wiring to my '85 Vanagon westie...
>
> headlight relays
> SA grille with inner lights (also relayed)
> Power mirrors (built my own harness for these)
> Auxiliary fuse block in battery compartment behind driver's seat.
> Optima deep cycle secondary battery inside rear cabinetry
> Indoor/outdoor thermometer with "outdoor" sensor inside fridge.
> Internal fridge fan
> Aux 12V power outlets near rear table.
>
> I haven't *cut* a single stock wire to do this stuff. Everything is an
> add-on, and can be easily removed if I want to return the wiring to stock.
> I doubt any of it will be removed... I've had this van for five years now,
> and don't feel much like parting with it.
>
> If I do run into electrical gremlins, I can bypass any or all of my mods
> easily, this will make troubleshooting easier, as I'll be able to eliminate
> (or implicate) my add-ons as suspects.
>
> Tim
>
>
> At 06:18 PM 11/8/2006 -0800, Mark Drillock wrote:
> >Yes, I have made a lot of one way alterations to various Vanagons over
> >the years and will continue to do so. I did not argue against that to
> >begin with, that was someone else. I opposed major electrical system
> >butchery. Old vehicles like ours tend to develop electrical glitches
> >even when kept stock and well taken care of. Finding these can be
> >challenging enough even when everything is well documented. When things
> >have been butchered you might not be able find the cause of a problem at
> >all or get a shop to fix it either without a lot of time and money.
> >
> >I have a great deal of familiarity with the Vanagon electrical system. I
> >find the electrical wiring diagrams in the Bentley pretty much childs
> >play compared to the computer system wiring diagrams I worked with for
> >many years. The key to working with electrical systems is proper
> >documentation. We have proper documentation for the stock Vanagon. Thus
> >I argue that it is best to keep the system as stock as possible so that
> >the existing documentation is germane.
> >
> >Mark
> >
> >Jake de Villiers wrote:
> >
> >>I was just pointing out that the guy who is now saying not to put the
> >>battery in the back has made some one-way alterations to Vanagons!
> >>
> >>On 11/8/06, Jim at work <jrasite@eoni.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>>
> >>>Google is your friend: http://www.evcl.com/vw/Others/Frame.html
> >>>
> >>>Jim
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> > On Nov 8, 2006, at 1:32 PM, Jake de Villiers wrote:
> >>> >> I have a question though: doesn't Drillock have a stretch?
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> > Hmmmmm?
> >>> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>--
> >>Jake
> >>1984 Vanagon GL
> >>1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> >>www.crescentbeachguitar.com
>
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