In a message dated 3/3/05 8:21:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,
martine.boud@VIDEOTRON.CA writes:

> I have a 1989 Westy.  Air Conditioning never worked and I have to change
> the
> front radiator. (Read: spend lots of $$)  My question could become very
> subjective but here it is;  is it wise to keep the AC if you leave north of
> Boston?  I read many email saying that our 2.1l engine are not design for AC
> anyway.  Should I keep it in the Westy or take it out and have a nice
> storage cabinet?  Has anyone remove the AC heat exchanger to make a storage
> cabinet, is this a good idea?
> Thanks
> Joel
>

if you remove your a/c you will significantly LOWER the resale value of your
westy, especially on a late model one such as your 89, where most people
expect them to HAVE a/c. You go taking away something that is supposed to be there,
and your vehicle is worth less.    I, for one, would not buy a late model
vanagon westy that didnt have a/c, if i were buying one for myself,  and i live
in PA.   the amount of stoarge space gained with the overhead rear cabinet is
miniscule.  i used to own a '85 westy and it didnt have a/c.  one of the first
things people asked who were calling on it, was "does it have a/c?" when i
replied "no" most people ended the conversation right there.
i sat on that camper for a long time, and it would have sold right away if it
had a/c.

You may say "i didnt buy it to sell it"  but.. eventually, you will.
and it will sell ALOT easier with a/c.
as per your statement about the 2.1L "not designed for a/c" sure they were.
90% of North American '86-91 vanagons had factory a/c.
dont like the a/c?  just remove the compressor belt and let it alone.

chris