<< what is the benefit of k&n airfilters for our vanagons, if any?>>

Jason, the benefit is in improved airflow. I can't tell you exactly what you'll get. It will depend on what kind of an engine you have and if you have modified it in any way. Basically, the engine gets to "inhale" better. You really should be amking sure it can exhale as well by improving the exhaust, use different cams, rockers, etc.. I guess the K & N is low buck start assuming your local emission (smog) laws allow it.

<<also, i was browsing the vanagon home page and noticed that under the section of "what to keep in your Vanagon", a couple of people mentioned a winch.  how could a winch be hooked up to a vanagon?  the only winches i have seen (other then my mother in law-kidding) were on a hummer or a tow truck.  can someone educate me here?>>

One place I could think of is a receiver hitch attached to the rear. There are winches designed to be stowable then plugged into a receiver hitch when needed Fast Forward Automotive sells such bumper with one of these. I have also seen custom bumpers with winches in the front. MSDS Inc. sells a brush guard which can mount a winch. One fellow I ran into in San Francisco cut a hole in his front bumper (the strong part under the chrome/plastic wimpy cover) where he strengtened the area with additional material. You only see the hook when it is not in use.

As for your mother in-law, she's somehting you have to be ready to receive. That's the hitch when you're winched into a marriage.

BenT