Well list, this is my first post here. = I used to be on the Type II list when I has my 1983 2.0L Air Cooled Vanagon. It ran = great but I couldn't bear the thought of another cold Chicago winter in a bus with = basically no heat. Sold her in May, 2000 and picked up an 87 Vanagon GL = about 3 weeks ago. Has 93,000 original miles, purchased her from the original = owner and she looks like she just drove off the showroom floor. Best part is it = has AC and HEAT!! I almost feel like I've gone over to the dark side switching from = AC to a water pumper.

Anyway, I think the guy sold her = because she needed an exhaust system and he probably thought 2 grand was a little steep at = the local VW dealer for the system. I'm in the process of replacing the = exhaust system now. Just waiting for parts. Ordered the whole system from Bus = Depot (Ron, will I get that system by this weekend?)

What I was wondering is what is the = difference in the coolant hoses between a Vanagon with 185 series tires and one with = factory alloy wheels? In the BD print catalog there is a $70.00 price difference = in the complete hose package between Vanagons with 185's and Alloy rims. I = assume it's because some of the hoses are different, but how. Will the difference = between the two cause problems if want to change rims or install larger tires?

I would like to find a set of factory = alloys (14x6) to put on my new baby but if it involves changing hoses and such I will = have to rethink my plan. Also, would there be problems if one was to put larger = tires (i.e. 205/70R14) on the stock steel rims? Please let me = know.