Hello everyone.  After months of lurking here I finally bought a
Vanagon.  (after owning a few Bays over the years).  I'm very excited
about having more power and HEAT this fall.

My first Vanagon is a California 84 Westy with only 80,000 miles.  I
got a great deal because the previous owner drove it into a truck....

Of course, the damage is more than originally anticipated.  Are there
any experienced bodyshop people on the list?

Here's some photos of my situation:  http://tinyurl.com/6jm98

The biggest problem is the steering transfer box (just behind the
front sheet metal) was hit and moved.  The steering linkage broke
under the steering column since the accident the vehicle has not been
driveable.  I was thinking of transplanting the drivers side metal
section that holds the bracket which holds the steering transfer box
but it looks like an awful lot of work.  (I started drilling out the
welds on the donor car but decided to seek advice before finishing).

Has anyone else had a similar problem?  Was your bodyshop able to
pull out the front and re-align the steering transfer box and bracket
without changing the metal under the dash?

What about the center crossmember sheetmetal on the front of the van?
Is there an easy way to transplant it from another vehicle?  (since I
have a donor front end) or can a decent bodyshop make it look pretty
again without costing a small fortune?

Thanks everyone!

Paul Guzyk
'72 Westy "Poppy"
'84 Westy "Homey"