Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 01:38:38 -0400
Reply-To: David Bogle / Architecture <bogle@BWAY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: David Bogle / Architecture <bogle@BWAY.NET>
Subject: Alarming Vanagons
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Hello all,
I found a couple of threads in the archives and wanted to ask a little
more about your alarm installations before I take the plunge. I'm
getting a $239 quote for a DEI Viper 300h alarm installed. Sounds okay,
but if they botch something I'll blame myself for not giving enough
direction.
I want to know if the pin switches for the sliding door and decklid can
be mounted up high so that it is less likely to be hit when going in and
out, especially since it has to be long to reach the door. Do the wires
for these get routed behind the metal, or is it all surface mounted
including the switch? I'd prefer to have them like the front door pin
swithces with the wiring in the body.
The threads on alarms indicate two locations for the siren up front
(next to the radiator behind lower front grille or above the spare tire)
and one location in the rear (in the engine compartment in front of the
ignition coil.) Front locations seem better for shorter more concealed
wiring runs. Do the wires to the starter cut-off get routed under the
car? I do not want wires exposed anywhere they may be damaged or
identified and cut by theives.
Consumer Reports found installations tended to locate the brain under
the dash in a location easily accessible to the theives. Where might be
the best place to place this piece? I don't want the dashboard to be
removed for the installation of the alarm, but some piece must come off
easily and reveal a "hiding place" for the brain. Any thoughts?
Also, I need to remove the coded factory radio before it is the reason
the vehicle is broken into. If I remove it without first establishing
the code, it will be rendered useless forever, no? Should I care. I
can't stand waste. Maybe someone wants it? If I can't figure out the
code (something is written on the top of it which may be the code) I can
take it to a dealer and pay them ~$85 to tell me, no? Then I could sell
it for $20.00, no?
Any advice on these or related matters will be greatly appreciated. Such
as, radio models that fit and trim out particularly well?
Count me in on these spacers for the window cranks. Speakers will be
upgraded down the road. Any market for the little oem blaupunkts?
--
TIA,
David Bogle
Brooklyn
'72 Campmobile 2.0L (for sale, obo)
'87 Vanagon GL Syncro Westfalia