----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, =
2001 1:27
PM
Subject: Newbie =
>>>> Intro ..
sorry ... LONG
Vanagon List Members,
I delighted to announce that I have completed my
self
imposed Newbie initiation.
1. Scour the Archives for all areas of interest =
and
info
.... minimum 2 mnths.
2. Lurk quietly & Humbly in the =
background and
absorb
as much of the huge volume of incredible and =
knowledgeable
dialog for at least 2 months
3. Test the waters by slipping a toe the knowledge =
pool
by submitting a couple of non-controversial =
questions
about source etc to knowledgeable members off
line.
4. Finally ... the coming out (sort of) by =
submitting
a
humble introductory note.
Background:
Vehicle - 85 Westy GL (as yet unnamed, had a few
ideas, but you guys beat me to it)
Geo - Bay Area, Campbell CA
Comments:
Purchased my Westy (Salvage Title) approx 3 months =
ago
in Sacramento - Full Camper, Exc =
Condition, Low
Miles,
Fresh Parts, Brown w/beige interior, 4-speed, =
AC, miles
(105K)
Second VW but first Van. Had a 69 Beetle in the =
early
70's.
Mechanically incompetent ... or close to =
it.
Reason for purchase ..... ~ July 2002 I plan to =
gently slide
behind the wheel of my properly prepared 85 Westy =
and
drive the four points of the compass for many, =
many miles.
North when it's hot, south when it's cold etc. =
Duration only
limited by desire. Might be a month, might be a =
year, might
keep orbiting like one of those =
Satellites.
Thus the Westy will be home.
Found a good local mechanic and told him ..... we =
need to
go thru it top to bottom and repair/replace =
anything that
might
fail within 50,000 of continuous driving. Looked =
at
me weird,
then I saw these dollar sign kinda of sparkles in =
his
eyes, he
began hyperventilating. After I paper bagged him =
and he
calmed down we talked about a long term =
relationship and
fair honest treatment ........ Have always been =
leery of
commitment so at this point I began =
hyperventilating.
We then put a plan together to space out =
what was
needed
... chunk it down if you will over the nxt several =
mnths.
Overall plan:
1. Mechanical repairs - Ongoing
a. Front end
b. Misc odds & =
ends
c. Rebuild Transaxle =
etc
d. Check and Rebuild trans (4 =
sp) if
needed
e. Rebuild 1.9 =
Waterboxer
2. New Tires & Shocks - Bridgestone LT =
Reinforced
sidewall & KYB Gas Shocks - DONE
3. Rubber, as in hoses replacement - to be =
done
4. Awning / Shady Boy (Installed by GoWesty) -
DONE
5. Roof rack for very light weight Kayak =
.... don't
scold me .
.. I know the load limit and stress factors -
DONE
6. Rear bike rack ..... Gary Lee's wonderful =
creation -
Done
7. Replace all interior carpet - On Order from =
GoWesty - in
process
8. Replace Skylight - GoWesty =
- Done
9. Add more interior lighting - Parts received =
most frm West
Marine / Need to install
10. Add 2 interior fans - see lighting =
above
11. Redo do electrical system, inverter/converter =
... extra
outlets,
Deep Cycle Ax Battery etc. - to be =
done
12. Add Vented Furnace (still researching ... =
short list is
Suburban,
Espar B1LC, Carver) - to be done
13. New 3 window poptop & Install - GoWesty
DONE
14. Purchase Honda 1000 watt generator (lots of =
dry camping)
- to be done
15. Purchase & Install Black Metal bumpers =
(rear on
order,
still need front) - to be done
16. Upgrade/rebuild/improve AC .. recent thread on =
topic
was very helpful - to be done
17. Install sound system that integrates Laptop =
(MP3),
Indash
CD/FM/AM, Sat TV - to be done
18. Purchase & Install RV Satellite TV System =
(wish
internet
version was ready for RV market) - to be done =
19. Purchase & Install all exterior door locks =
&
rekey to same
(BusDepot & Steve Sandlin) - in =
process
20. Purchase and install all exterior window/door =
rubber -
to be done
21. Replace almost all exterior lighting lenses -
Ongoing
22. Purchase & Install 4 headlight grill =
(South African
etc) - to be done
23. Repaint exterior / Original VW Brown color - =
to be
done
24. Purchase & Install all exterior decals - =
to be
done
25. Everything else I forget or don't know yet - =
to be
done
Any comments, suggestions, sources, =
feedback etc are
more than welcome.
Please forgive the length of this message. This =
will be my
one time overly long dialog for 2001.
Humbly,
Larry =
Chase