> I'm getting ready for winter here in chicago.  Anybody know of any battery
> options for block heaters that would be reasonable?
>
> wes
> '84 vanagon 1.9l

Not that this is a viable option to retrofit, but I thought some people may
be interested.
VW offered an optional stand-alone coolant heating system on Canadian
Syncros.  The Webasto BBW 46 gas heater will operate while the van is
running or not.
A timer will turn the heater on in advance at a preset time.  You can warm
up the engine anywhere, you don't need to plug into 120 volt AC.

I put up some pictures, description and repair manual on my web site.
Also the factory heated drivers seat.

<http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/bbw46/BBW46.htm>

Gary Lee
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/vanagonrack.htm