Beg to differ Roger,
But I believe the fresh air system is still functional on the westys. They
still have the control to open and close it on the dash and on the passenger
side the vents are in the sheet metal coweling that runs along the slider.
On the drivers side they exit behind the parcel shelf and I believe still
offer fresh air.

There are some foam pieces behind the slider sheet metal but they just keep
the air directed towards the vents instead of going fore and aft.

I have never found any block off system that would not allow the air to
still be directed to middle of the van.

Any body else part out a westy to find otherwise?
Its not like vw to keep the sliding control on a non working system.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Sisler" <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: Camping tips and tricks

> I noticed that the drivers side front door has an air vent channel that
> goes the entire width of the door(42",I think). This  channel is used in
> the 7 pasenger models , but blocked off in the westys, and unused.(What
was
> that TV show where the good guys were  always finding and using  unused
air
> ducts to excape in?)  The size is about 42 inches by 2 inches by 5
> inches.To small for excaping, but lots of room for "stuff". Tent poles,or
> other goodies may fit in that hole.Stuff that you dont want to bring
> inside. Perhaps the cover that blocks the vent channel can be removed and
> the air can reenter that channel and be directed to clear the warm air
from
> the rear of the 182B.Vent it through a utility box, or down into the
rocker
> pannel.Can you tell it is snowing here in Washington today?