On Nov 8, 2006, at 1:32 PM, Jake de Villiers wrote:

> I don't see how its a problem for you Tom. Haven't all those
> misguided moves increased the value of your buses?   :-)

As a matter of fact, they have!
>
> I have a question though: doesn't Drillock have a stretch?

Hmmmmm?

Tom B.-considering chopping my westy to accommodate a new high top?
>
> On 11/8/06, Tom <bueses@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > BTW - I strongly agree with Mark that any mods you make, you should
> > do it with an eye to being able to return it to stock as needed.
> > Often times your "perfect mod" will only translate to scare away
> > potential buyers should you ever need to sell your Van.
> >>
>
> >> I would leave the original battery and wiring alone. I deplore
> >> butchery
> >> such as you suggest. Add any aux batteries in such a way that it
> is a
> >> simple matter to return the base vehicle wiring to unmolested
> state.
> >> Design your new wiring so that by unhooking a single wire the
> >> vehicle is
> >> back to normal, other than the minor things you moved over to run
> >> from
> >> the aux battery.
> >>
> >> Mark
> >>
>
> This brings up a different but related thread in regards to your
> Vanagon,  The pros/cons of modifying a vanagon.
>
> Since the vanagon model is relatively new in vintage auto circles
> (16-26 years old), many volks see it as a contemporary vehicle, but
> want to "update" it to todays standards.
>
> To each their own, but as stated above, do so at your own risk.  If
> you must "update", think seriously about doing it in a manner that
> can easily be changed back to stock, or not doing it at all. Those
> volks that are old farts like myself, can remember all the 60's mods
> that were made to VW buses, etc. that are now major costs to restore
> back to og to make them worth any $$ at all, i.e. radiused wheel
> wells for bigger tires, cutting in windows in Panels, non vw engines
> such as Corvair, Chevy,  "shorties", extended buses, etc.
>
> Flame suit on,
>
> Tom B.-65 Deluxe Westy w/ poptop?
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com