Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2024 20:42:47 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Dash foil info
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Hi folks,
The below info from the person Alistair knows that is building instrument foils.
I realize not the one he has now will work with my 85. And soon a 84 option.
It sounds great. But, darn it both my foils at the moment are functioning fully as far as I know.
Here is the info he sent to those the asked about the foils.
Eric Caron
Hi Everyone,
I received quite a number of requests for foils since the post went up in FB and The Samba. I thought I would send out a blanket email to all those expressing interest.
There are two foils in the works.
80-84 is at the prototyping stage and several units have been sent out for beta testing. This foil supports the analog clock, and the edge connector (to the wiring harness) has a vertical orientation. Canadian model vans (and some US models) do not have the red OXS LED located on the bottom right of the LED indicator group. I will, by default, install the LED. If it is not required, then is can be snipped out with a pair of small side cutters or nail clippers or you can leave it re-purposed for some other function like a "trouble light" on a subie conversion.
85/86-91 is in production and is for tachometer models only. It does not support the analog clock. 85 was a bit of a changeover year in that Wolfsburg edition, 85's have tachometers and possibly some 84's as well. The big differentiator is the tachometer AND the the edge connector (to the wiring harness) is horizontally situated below the tachometer. On this model of foil, the OXS LED is situated on the bottom left of the LED indicator group. Canadian models do not have the OXS LED so again, it can be snipped out or re-purposed. It will come with the LED installed.
Both foil versions support a 6th LED. On the 80-84 foils, it is available on the bottom left and, on the 85/86+ models, it is on the bottom right. This LED is yellow and can be accessed by soldering a wire to the foil. Electrical connection to this LED is not available on the edge connector. Some people use it as a fog lamp indicator. I do not think I will offer that as standard but if you want it, please let me know. No additional cost to you if you want it.
Several have asked about FAS diesel conversions. I have heard they like to use their own GLO LED and I have seen a modified instrument cluster with that LED glued in place. I am not sure why they do that but there is no reason why the OXS LED on the foil cant be used. If I know ahead of time, I can change the OXS LED to yellow and you can route the glow plug wire to pin 14 on the edge connector (for later foils).
I do not have a firm price for the 80-84 foil yet but I am estimating $130us + shipping. The later model foil is $160us + shipping. Shipping to the US is $9.85. I have been communicating with several resellers in the US and Europe. At some point, soon, I will be making the move to wholesale only and I am sure the resellers will be increasing the cost.
If anyone would like to order a foil, please email me back with model year, if there are modifications and if you want the 6th yellow LED. I will send out a Paypal link to you.
Thank you for your patience.
Cheers,
Greg