I felt the need to weigh in here. I agonized about this for weeks. There
really isn't a right Optima Battery that just fits into a Westy GL.
There evidently is space in the Half Camper under the seat, but if you
have a stove, you will have the same problem I did with the Yellow top.
It will not go quietly under the drivers seat. You have options. You can
saw the top terminals down. This will screw up your warranty according
to Optima. The other problem that I have only heard rumored is that if
you go to far, you may get "under the lead" of the terminal with other
consequences that I do not understand r recall. Next, you could follow
the Harold and Nancy method (beautifully illustrated on their web site)
and leave the battery upright with the posts toward the back. Then you
build a little "dome" or something like a hill you used to build for
your train set, to go over the now protruding posts. Finally there is
the cut the van approach. You can cut two notches in that piece of bar
stock that keeps you from laying the battery on its side with the posts.
I used my Dremel with a carbide cutter. This was not the most efficient
method. 

I agonized for a long time. I was all set to build my little domes and
finally was convinced to cut the van. It had been a year and I am happy
with it. There is no structural issue. I still have the behind the seat
storage and I found the side terminal a lot easier to use. Your results
may vary. I can unequivocally say that I love tis battery. It is
everything that has been represented. 

Jonathan R. Cooper
Brzytwa, Quick & McCrystal
900 Skylight Office Tower
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-664-6900 (voice)
216-664-6901 (fax)
Cooper@BQMlaw.com
JonathanRCooper@directvinternet.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Davis [mailto:I4VW@AOL.COM] 
Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2002 8:53 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Optima Battery Question (cutting terminal posts?)

In a message dated 08/09/2002 10:02:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
wilden1@JUNO.COM writes:

> Get the right Optima Battery for your van.
> If they don't have one that fits ................. blow them off and
> stick with known to be good products.
> Cut the post, cut your warranty up.
-------------
Agreed. If you're going to put out the big bucks, you might as well get
the
correct battery instead of hacking it up.

Tom