Vanagon List Members,

I delighted to announce that I have completed my self
 imposed Newbie initiation.

1. Scour the Archives for all areas of interest and info
 .... minimum 2 mnths.
2. Lurk quietly & Humbly in the background and absorb 
as much of the huge volume of incredible and knowledgeable 
dialog for at least 2 months
3. Test the waters by slipping a toe the knowledge pool 
by submitting a couple of non-controversial questions 
about source etc to knowledgeable members off line.
4. Finally ... the coming out (sort of) by submitting a 
humble introductory note.

Background:

Vehicle - 85 Westy GL (as yet unnamed, had a few 
ideas, but you guys beat me to it)
Geo - Bay Area, Campbell CA

Comments:

Purchased my Westy (Salvage Title) approx 3 months ago 
in Sacramento -  Full Camper, Exc Condition, Low Miles, 
Fresh Parts, Brown w/beige interior, 4-speed, AC, miles (105K) 

Second VW but first Van. Had a 69 Beetle in the early 70's.

Mechanically incompetent ... or close to it.

Reason for purchase ..... ~ July 2002 I plan to gently slide 
behind the wheel of my properly prepared 85 Westy and 
drive the four points of the compass for many, many miles. 
North when it's hot, south when it's cold etc. Duration only 
limited by desire. Might be a month, might be a year, might 
keep orbiting like one of those Satellites.

Thus the Westy will be home. 

Found a good local mechanic and told him ..... we need to 
go thru it top to bottom and repair/replace anything that might 
fail within 50,000 of continuous driving. Looked at me weird, 
then I saw these dollar sign kinda of sparkles in his eyes, he 
began hyperventilating. After I paper bagged him and he 
calmed down we talked about a long term relationship and 
fair honest treatment ........ Have always been leery of 
commitment so at this point I began hyperventilating. 

We then put a plan together to space out what was needed 
... chunk it down if you will over the nxt several mnths.

Overall plan:

1. Mechanical repairs - Ongoing
    a. Front end
    b. Misc odds & ends
    c. Rebuild Transaxle etc
    d. Check and Rebuild trans (4 sp) if needed
    e. Rebuild 1.9 Waterboxer
2. New Tires & Shocks - Bridgestone LT Reinforced 
sidewall & KYB Gas Shocks - DONE
3. Rubber, as in hoses replacement - to be done
4. Awning / Shady Boy (Installed by GoWesty) - DONE
5. Roof rack for very light weight Kayak .... don't scold me .
.. I know the load limit and stress factors - DONE
6. Rear bike rack ..... Gary Lee's wonderful creation - Done
7. Replace all interior carpet - On Order from GoWesty - in process
8. Replace Skylight -  GoWesty - Done
9. Add more interior lighting - Parts received most frm West 
Marine / Need to install
10. Add 2 interior fans - see lighting above
11. Redo do electrical system, inverter/converter ... extra outlets, 
Deep Cycle Ax Battery etc. - to be done
12. Add Vented Furnace (still researching ... short list is Suburban, 
Espar B1LC, Carver) - to be done
13. New 3 window poptop & Install - GoWesty DONE
14. Purchase Honda 1000 watt generator (lots of dry camping) 
- to be done
15. Purchase & Install Black Metal bumpers (rear on order, 
still need front) - to be done
16. Upgrade/rebuild/improve AC .. recent thread on topic 
was very helpful - to be done
17. Install sound system that integrates Laptop (MP3), Indash 
CD/FM/AM, Sat TV - to be done
18. Purchase & Install RV Satellite TV System (wish internet 
version was ready for RV market) - to be done 
19. Purchase & Install all exterior door locks & rekey to same 
(BusDepot & Steve Sandlin) - in process
20. Purchase and install all exterior window/door rubber - to be done
21. Replace almost all exterior lighting lenses - Ongoing
22. Purchase & Install 4 headlight grill (South African etc) - to be done
23. Repaint exterior / Original VW Brown color - to be done
24. Purchase & Install all exterior decals - to be done
25. Everything else I forget or don't know yet - to be done

Any comments, suggestions, sources, feedback etc are 
more than welcome.

Please forgive the length of this message. This will be my 
one time overly long dialog for 2001.

Humbly, 

Larry Chase

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