> Has anyone installed a smaller Optima or other sealed battery in their
> Vanagon that prevents them from having to cut the sheet metal? I'd rather
> not have to hack away at things like it sounds if I go for the standard
> Optima battery.

 Phil,
A smaller batter will not last as long... depends on your use I guess... but
I would want more battery; not less.... I don't think optima makes a smaller
battery... could be wrong.... but it's not very hard to do the required
cutting... and none of it is a cosmetic problem once the battery lid is shut
and the carpeting laid back on top...
Takes about 1/2 hour to do the cutting...

Bill