Derek Darling here in Surrey, BC (just = outside Vancouver). I received an '84 Vanagon from a friend who was in an = accident with a front-end loader. It hit the front drivers' side corner at about dashboard high. the friend doesn't drive much anymore, and I = got the vehicle for one dollar. Thje vehicle has been sitting for about a year.I = found another Vanagon ('88) at a wrecker that had been t-boned int he rear, = and bought the first 12 inches. I found a door locally, and a windshield. I had to = go to West Coast Metrics in Southern California for a windshield seal, but I = finally got all the parts together.

Sanjit at Craftsman Collision in Surrey = sectioned the '88 front-end onto the vehicle and did a fantastic job. I towed it = home last weekend, backed it up to the garage, put all the junk in the garage into = the back of the Van, and backed the van into the garage. Tomorrow I am going = to begin to put ita all together. I think I need to do the = following:

1. replace a brake line at the front, = from the brake cylinder down the front (the old one wa skinked) the charge the = brake system and bleed brakes (I also want to take it to a garage and have the = brake system purged and charged under pressure)

3. re-install the radiator and re-fill = the coolant fluid (I know, phosphate-free!!!!) and bleed coolant system (see brakes, = above, for a trip to have it professionally done)

4. hook up the heater control cables = and re-instal lthe dashboard, all the while making sure that the electrical = connections are clean (I'll spray them with R-5, also know in same parts as "Tweak", = cleans off corrosion, promaotes better electrical contact and leaves a = corrosion-fighting film).

While lurking on this list, I have = found out so many good tips and tricks,l and hope to have many years enjoyment. I'm = taking the next week off work to do the majority of the work, so I'll post my = progress as I go. Any hints, tips, prayers and the like are gratefully received!