I would like to comment on the bed issue.  I just recently put a 1.8L
I-4 into my 85 westy (using a fastforward package).  My decision to use
a 2nd mattress was based primarily on the fact that it is significantly
more comfortable than the stock mattress/flat seat combination.  It
really is a great improvement.  I store the second mattress overhead in
the pop-top opening, when I am on camping trips.  It is secured there by
2 wooden slats, approximately 2mm by 2mm square, that were cut to run
from the side ledges.  To put the mattress up I simply put it into the
opening, hold it up with my head, and insert the slats on an angle and
turn them so they are 90 degrees to the side ledges.  It is a very snug
fit.  It does block much of the sunroof, but I usually only open it when
I am in camping mode with the 2nd mattress in place for the bed.

I agree with David that the 'new' storage area under the rear part of
the bed creates new useful storeage space.  The only downside is that
with the rear mattress in place, it partially blocks the door to the
storage area in back.  I plan to cut the bottom off of the door below
the lower hinge and rig up some method of making the bottom part an
insert that is independent of the door.  This way I can open the door
with the mattess in place and just pull out the insert if I need to get
to the lowermost shelf area.

Pius
85/92 vanajetta

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of David Marshall
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 3:24 PM
To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: Easiest Platform to Convert to I-4 FROM?

Naw... I was referring to *MY* silence here...

Gasoline motors are easier to get vibration free than Diesel motors...
once
my TDI is running, you can't tell at idle from 'the seat of your pants'.

The bed issue is really a none issue in my books.  There are two
options.
If you have a Westfalia style bed setup (not weekender style) you can
use
the Reimo bed hinges that we sell for $235 USD.  These hinges make the
seat
the same height as normal in the seat position and 12cm higher in the
bed
position.  They work just like the original units.  This 'new' storage
area
under the bed can be used for tools, jack, booster cables and other
'stuff'
that normally takes up space under the seat that you could better use
for
things that you actually use on a day to day basis in stead of on an
occasional basis.  For people on the cheap, a 2nd mattress works fine.
The
surface area of the seat and of the mattress is about the same so in the
bed
position, sliding the 2nd mattress forward will level everything out and
make it much softer to sleep on.  I find the seat much to hard for my
back.

David Marshall