> Sorry I can't help you, Christa, but it does bring up a question for the
> group:  I, too, have dreamed of "Westying" through Baja but was told
> recently by my just-purchased ex-owner that this isn't a great idea to do
in
> a water-cooled.  He said the only parts available down there are for the
> air-cooled.

Greg,
I have been planning to go to Baja and I will go this winter/spring.
As for parts...
1. I am taking some of the more common typical failure parts with me.
2. I try to keep my van in top shape... lots of preventative maintenance.
3. If you do break down and need parts you can order them in the U.S. and
have them shipped to most anywhere in the world...
(I believe Bus Depot has shipped to Baja... there is also a VW Dealer in San
Diego that I would imagine has done the same since Baja has become a major
tourist event and I'm sure many Vanagons have make the trip over the
years... )
(you could actually take a bus or hitch hike to San Diego to get the part
and return.... but you need TIME... see below)
4. It is my understanding that there are actually TWO VW dealers in Baja
(though I don't know if they would stock waterboxer parts since it is my
understanding that only the aircooled is still produced in mainland Mexico),
I think one is in Ensenda (sp... about 60 miles below the boarder) and the
other is near the tip of the peninsula.

But I certainly would not take a Vanagon (or any other vehicle) down there
if it wasn't in top shape and/or I had some idea what I would do if it did
break down....

Another point is that when you go to Mexico it is best to be prepared for
things to take a LOT longer than here in the U.S. .... my attitude is that
if something like my transmission goes and it takes a month to get it
shipped and installed... oh well... a big inconvenience, but that's just
another adventure... but not everyone had that kind of flexibility with
time... but it sure does help in a place like Mexico when things go wrong.

Bill