Interesting!
The lighter socket in my '88 Westy was missing the lighter, but when I tried to plug
in the lighter from my '90 Westy, I discovered the socket was much deeper. If '88's
didn't come that way, I suspect the PO replaced it, possibly with one from Germany,
since he was originally from there and made frequent trips, bringing back accessories
not available here, including the Trumatic gas heater which will soon be transferred
to my '90.
Jerry

----- Original Message -----
From: "tolga" <tolga@MAC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 12:56 AM
Subject: Lighter plug in dash a big joke...

> Is it just me or are the lighter/12V dash outlets in Vanagons a totally
> useless waste?
>
> I've never gotten any good use out of the one in my '84, everything
> always seems to fall out as it isn't deep enough.  On top of that the
> mounting scheme with the plastic ring to hold it in place is pretty
> worthless, especially after a couple tabs break off.
>
> Does anyone have any good mods for making the lighter port more usefull,
> stable, etc.
>
> Are the greenish plastic rings still available from VW?  I have my dash
> out at the moment and would at minimum like to replace my broken ring and
> possibly epoxy it to the dash so it can't break or work its way out in
> the future.
>
> Thanks!
>   Tolga