Hey All!
    I figured I'd pick your brains on a bit of Vanagon componentry, and share
the little I've discovered since I've gotten my two.
    First, What are the differences between 14" and 16" Vanagons? Just rim
size, or are there body/suspension differences? If possible to swap, I know
that the geared speedo box would have to be swapped. Would I need to swap the
speedo head too?
    Why, you ask? Well, one of my vans is an 14" '82 GL diesel, and well
it'll hit 63 on the flat and level, I'm trying to push it a little faster to
deal with highway traffic.
    Has anyone ever considered using  an early Rabbit exhaust manifold, and
fabbed a "header" out of the old Rabbit downpipe? It seems like it's
feasable, but I thought I'd look to see if it had been done yet.
    Also, has anybody ever swapped out their diesel pump with one off of a
later model diesel engine? I understand the Vanagon diesel had it's governor
set at 4800 rpm, and that the later diesel motors had a 5350 rpm governor.
Possible top speed gain?
    Now, my turn to give:
    1) Harada power antennas fit the Vanagon, despite what the listings on
the box say. Discard all the mounting junk, except for the mast nut.You may
have to shave some plastic off the antenna wire mount, but you can push it up
through the body seal, and up through the body. Put the OE Vanagon plastic
seal and retainer back on, and clamp it down with the Harada mast nut.
Instant hideaway antenna that passerbys can't snap off or bend.
    2) Try Sylvania Xtravisions in the front of your '85-down Vanagon.
They're not H4s, but they don't carry an H4 pricetag earlier. They look like
OE lamps, but sling light much better. Now I'll never overdrive my headlights
in the diesel.

    Thanks in advance!

                            Sean L.

                            '86 Vanagon GL "Weekender" (?)
                                          '82 Vanagon GL diesel
                                          '88 Fox GL  wagon (2)
                                          '77 Dasher wagon
                                          '75 Scirocco