M Kaz wrote:

> . Has anyone replaced them with regular rubber coolant hoses?

I replaced the metal coolant pipes on my '82 diesel with Gates 1-1/4" heater hose.  It cost about $80 for that much hose.  The outside diameter is pretty big, so I had to re-route one of the hoses to avoid a narrow spot over the fuel tank.

Not sure if these are suitable for Vanagons with the plastic pipes...

Mike <mjcatlin@pacbell.net>
Davis, Calif.