I was thinking about this today, after fighting with Bus Depot and
their poor service.  Since we don't have an adequate local source for
most Vanagon parts, I would like to suggest a shared parts cache of
hard to get and decommissioning parts (parts that take your van out
of service).  I stock almost a complete set of things for my air
cooled units because I have parted out several Buses and AC Vanagons
in recent years.  It's the 86 up waterboxers I'm worried about.
There are several parts that are not available locally which as a
group we could cache for the groups convenience.  I keep a waterpump
in my personal cache presently if anyone needs a loaner while waiting
for one to be shipped in.  Other parts that might fit this catagory
are ECU's,  AFM's,  idle stablizers and control units, Thermostats,
temp sensor #2 (German not autozone),  rear brake shoes, etc.  If we
all picked just one part or shared it with another local Vanagoner,
we could be assured of having parts available when needed,  thus
keeping our vans on the road and not sidelined waiting weeks for
replacement parts.

Also the people who are thinking of Suburuing might offer their now
obsolete parts to us remaining 2.1 waterboxers.

I have seen some blown engine waterboxers in the Thrifties in month
past for $300.  I have no more room for parts carcus units in any of
my garages but we could have a quick "sacrificial" bar b que party
and get it down to parts if anyone is interested and another one
comes available

Good idea or bad Idea

--
Steve Blackham
Centerville, Utah

77 transporter converted to camper (Westy top)
83 Vanagon  (New and current project)
87 Weekender