I'm not sure about Vanagons, but this was sort of an issue with Bays.
The factory front mount setup was attached to a thin piece of sheet
metal with little support.  There are testimonials in the www.type2.com
archives of the tire falling off while going down the interstate.  There
were also safety concerns about what happens when you take a direct
impact on the nose of the bus.  I would search the Type II archives for
more info before starting this project.

Daren.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of John Tullier
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 12:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Front Spare Tire Mount for Vanagon

Hello list members,

I am wondering if anyone might possess information on
mounting the spare tire on a 1980 Vanagon on the front
of the bus instead of underneath.  Please let me know
whereas it will most likely be a future project for
me.

Thanks all.

John Tullier
http://www.hometown.aol.com/elefntkpr/Vanagon/vanagon.html

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* tHiS emalE wUZ Chek'D bY *
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* sPulLin's, bILL GaYTe'z  *
*      IZ'A dumMAss.       *
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