<  They plug
<into the wall using a transformer that converts 120v 60hz to an output of
<12V AC 1.67A 20VA.

20VA?? should we read 20W (wattts)?
that would make sense in that 1.67A*12V would equal 20W

<My question is, will these work in the vanagon if I
<hardwire them to the 12V system(w/out the transformer).

 I have several mods in mind for

I vote for Stock or REVERSIBLE mods (but I'm guilty too).

Fred aka Bleu Shtroumpf