Dear strangely but wonderfully obsessed fellow Vanagon lovers,

Now that I don't have that 83 1/2 in my garage, it's time to think
about fixing up the 91 GL I just bought.  I have long since given up
any pretence to being any kind of a mechanic (long since discovering
the joys of hydraulic valve lifters, that is, and long since having
bought an 80 year old house that soaks up all of my spare time), but
according to my trusty neighborhood auto shop I need tires, (already
gotten much advice about that including Ron Salmon's, thank you Ron,
we'll talk soon), shocks, all 3 belts, airfilter, front brake pads,
front brake caliper hardware, and rear wheel cylinders.

Rather than fool with the very few, and for the most part rather
crusty local suppliers around here (Chicago) I'm planning to do all
my shopping on the Net.  I know there are some places to avoid like
the plague (the Parts Place in Opdyke Hills Michigan would be one
very obvious example) but are there others I should know about - and
stay away from?

Also, while going through the truly astonishing number of daily
messages on this list, I came across at least one caution about OEM
parts that maybe aren't so OEM.  I would like the shocks to be as OEM
as possible - I don't drive on the highway much but when I do it's an
1100 mile round trip to Northern Ontario, it's a long ride and
there's no reason for it to be a harsh one - so what do listees
recommend?

I also have a massive, three pack a day habit kind of a steering
fluid leak on the 90 GL.  I am told I will need new pipes - the long
ones that run all the way from back to front (good old VW! Who else
would put the brake fluid over the speedometer, the clutch master
cylinder between the front wall and the steering column, and the
steering fluid as far from the steering as it could be and still be
in the same vehicle?) - does anyone know where these pipes can be
obtained, other than from VWoA?

Thanks very much in advance

Steve in Chicago,

now with only 3 vans to my name (and the 84 goes out as soon as I can
find that pesky title...)