being the Brave Sole that i are, i trekked out to Wally-Mart tonight
to get some stuff fer my newest addition to my herd: a 91 GL
automatic. same color as the 91 Carat automatic, but the transmission
works in this one. so far.

anyway, whilst perusing the Aisles of Assinine, i came uponst a gizmo
that might be found useful in Vanagon Land ...

in the section containing all those horrid Fram filters (that don't
work). ;)
there was a filter wrench, socket-type, on a hang-card.
it's by Vector and is a Type J Filter Wrench.
on the backside, it says "Type J  76mm - 14 flutes".
this happens to fit our beloved vanagon oil filters just fine (i've
tested it).
the gizmo is like $2.96 ... well within the tool-budget of even the
most
pecuniary Scrooge amongst us. :)
it even has a metal insert, where you insert the 3/8" socket wrench.

have fun.
joel