Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:37:51 EDT
Reply-To: JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: removing the A/C
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
In a message dated 4/20/07 7:30:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM writes:
> >>> LOL! Do you think the presence of a broken A/C system vs. more storage
> will have any relevance some years down the road in the relative prices of a
> new vanagon vs. an '89 that already has almost 180K on it?
>
> >>> The relevant concern for me is the possibility that I might ever want to
> get the A/C fixed vs. the advantages of more storage. Driving in hot
> weather isn't fun, but camping in hot weather is even worse, which leads me
> to mostly avoid hot weather.
>
> anyway that being said, the amount of cabinet space gained in the overhead
> rear storage compartment is minimal.
>
> >>> Relative to what?
>
> the idea you had before about unsnapping the upper bunk cushions and using
> low profile storage bins up there will give you more storage capability than
> the overhead rear cabinet..
>
> >>> I'm already planning to remove the upper bunk, but that is easily
> reversible.
>
> >>> I'm going to be traveling with another person for a month, storage is at
> a premium. When I lived in the van before, I had a smaller dresser for
> clothes, a very narrow set of drawers between the front seats, boxes on the
> roof, and a fairly large cooler that doubled as other storage, plus all the
> built-in storage. Full-timing requires a lot more stuff than holidays!
> Files, books, work papers and hardware, work clothes, clothes for all
> seasons. But with two people I don’t want all the additional storage units,
> hence the premium on built-in storage.
>
> >>> When you've actually lived in a vanagon, Chris, you'll be in a position
> to advise on the relative importance of interior space! :-)
>
>
>
>
i guess im just used to the "DPO's" ripping stuff out that i have to
replace.. we all loathe those "DPO's"..
if you tactfully remove the overhead ducting, and the evaporator and blower
fans and the upper cabinet and carefully pack them away for future installation
- unbolting the lines and capping them off so they dont get contaminated,
leaving all the other lines and condenser and reciever dryer in place - then i
think the vanagon gods would forgive you :<)
too many times ive gotten a vw that the DPO has "improved" (ie, f*cked up)
...case in point , i had bought a 9 passenger vanagon... it was missing the 3
person full width middle seat, and the front 2/3 seat was replaced w/ a single
capt chair.
i asked the guy what he did with the original seats.. (which are specific to
the 9 passenger only) and he said "oh, i threw them out" grr..
if you do remove the a/c, you will have to source a entire overhead cabinet..
as the 88-91 westys did not have the opening in the overhead rear cabinet
for a door, if it had a/c.
and you will most likely have to settle for a beige overhead rear cabinet,
since the chance of finding a grey overhead rear cabinet from a non-a/c late
model westy is nearly NIL.. you could always spraypaint it grey to match your
interior though.
and about freon escaping - i have removed compressors from vans that had non
functioning a/c...and they still spewed out freon gas..
as for me ever living in a vanagon.. well i hope life never gets that bad
for me .. jk...lol
chris
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