In my 1.9TD conversion I moved the air intake to the passenger side
so I can put the intercooler with minimal hoses on the drivers side.

Result:
1. room for big Audi 5000 intercooler on passenger side, connects to
turbo and intake with minimal length hoses.

2. Room for 3" air intake tube to slip past behind the standard Diesel
battery mount (note the space looks tight, but due to the slanted
rear body panel is actually quite big to slip a hose through down near the
bottom)

3. Air cleaner (std VW square style) is mounted in front of pass headlight
in the cubby hole.

Cheers,
Martin

 My Syncro Double Cab is about to go under the ratchet again this weekend or
 next.  I will be removing the 2.0L I4 gas unit and installing a 1.9L Turbo
 Diesel in its place.

 While I am doing this, I want to move the main battery to the rear of the
 van so there isn't 10 miles of cable to run all that current through.
 Winter and Diesels require a lot of juice so I want to install a slightly
 larger battery and install it closer to the starter and the glow plugs,
 which consume all the much needed juice.

 Any suggestions or tips on how to fasten a battery back there?  I really
 don't want to block access to the rear passenger light compartment unless I
 absolutly have to as it is a great source of fresh air for an intercooler or
 oil cooler.