I've been intending to add an "Chek-A-Spare' hose to mine and route it
inside to a small gauge or pass thru bulkhead air fitting.
you can buy a 1/8NPT air chuck fitting to mate to a pipe passing thru
the floor. down by the shifter.

Chek-A-Spare http://www.getagauge.com/accessories.cfm  $6.00

possibly add one of those pop-up (turkey timer) style valve caps to
keep an eye on the spare tire pressure

Subject: Re: Old Spare Tire

>-- but I'm definitely replacing it
> tomorrow when I get the flat replaced. Just thought I'd mention it,
in case
> there's some other dunderhead on the list like me, driving around
with a 15+
> year old tire under the nose.

Hmmmmm,

 I have never even taken the og spare out of my 84 Westy, used the og
jack
(use floor jack), but I do press on the spare every now & then to see
if
it's got air.  Probably ought to check it, get a new spare (it is
unused).

Now let's see, what kind of new tires do you volks recommend for
vanagons?

Grin,

Tom