This spot is good, but be aware that customs officialys along the
US-Candad border know where every spot is in the vanagon- including in the
air-filter, relay box, above the spare tire, etc. I have been stopped a
few time at the border and the searches are always very complete- leaving
no place untouched.
 But at the same time, i hide CD's and stuff in there when at high risk
places like airports and ballparks. etc.

Matthew

Matthew Pollard             http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
Dept. of Chemistry               http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
University of Idaho                   http://www.uidaho.edu

On Sat, 27 Jan 2001, Anthony Smola wrote:

> I'm sure that you other Vanagon owners know of the secret stash areas of
> your van.
>
> You think about these sort of things when you're trying to keep from getting
> into trouble.
>
> Anyway, If you don't already know this one it's the secret ledge near the
> spare battery box under
>
> the drivers seat.  It's the hidden space about 4 inches high and approx 12
> inches wide
>
> and 14 inches deep. Located right below the rotating disc of the captains
> seat and
>
> just in front of the spare battery box. This is where I decided to place a
> CD changer.
>
> This  placement gives you ready access  by just reaching down between your
> legs to access the unit
>
> 1) peel back carpet in front of the drivers seat and remove the wires from
> the front of the box ( connects to relay under seat)
> 2) lay out the dimensions for the CD changer ( 6 disc only) the 10 disc is
> too tall.
> 3) measure from the top of the box lip downward approx 2 3/4 inch (caution
> cut too low and you will cut into the shelf itself)
> 4) You will have to change the placement of the release rod for the captains
> chairs, because the rod gets in the way of the placement of the changer
> 5) You can either remove the rod all together and bolt the captains seat in
> the forward position or bend the release rod so that it drops into the slot
> from above.
> 6) When you remove the sheet metal cutout it will include the hole the wires
> for the aux battery relay. You will also have to reroute the hole through
> the sheet metal in the front for the DIN cable and aux battery wiring.
> 7) Route DIN wiring along the path of the aux battery  (this is near the
> center under the sound deadening foam.  Be sure to tape down)
> 8) use 3m adhasive and replace carpet
> 9) cut carpet down the middle of the newly created opening and fold carpet
> through opening (this makes a nice safe lip)
> 10) install cd player so that a little sticks out the front for easy access
> 11) tape rear of changer to the shelf on the rear to prevent movement
>
> I've done this to my 85 Westy and you can't even see it from the outside.
> And best of all you have access to the magazine while driving  (mine is
> Kenwood)
>
> Malibu Tony
>