If you can do a Subaru conversion, then you can do the body repair yourself too. And better than anyone. And in the same spirit, you can change the rings and liners and the pistons in your engine, and the head can be done at a shop. Assembly is done by you and nobody would do a better job. Takes a few days I know but tons of money saved. And with the system I use to take the engine out and install, it is a piece of cake. Zoltan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richards, Andrew" <Andrew.Richards@NIKE.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 2:15 PM Subject: body work vs. mechanical work
My vanagon is nearing a crossroads in its life. With 160K on the original engine and transmission, I'm starting to think hard about its future. Its body is pretty darn straight, but seam rust is creeping along and a body shop just quoted me $1500 to fix all the rust (windshield too) and parking lot dents.
What should come first? Body or mechanical issues? I've always understood it's best to attack rust ASAP because it'll only get more expensive to fix. On the other hand, dropping a large chunk of $$$ into body work on a van who's guts are getting on in years may be futile for a guy who's pockets aren't that deep. What would you do? I'm also considering a do-it-yourself Subaru conversion, which could save me 1-2K compared to a pro WBX rebuild.
Thanks,
Andrew '87 GL Portland, OR
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