Same deal, only even worse in this spot on the Vanagon.
  I looked into mine by removing the right taillight today.  I don't believe
it's got enough headroom in that location (even considering that a european
battery is a bit shorter than others).
  There would be plenty of cool air from the side vent grill above, but the
air cleaner horn protrudes several inches into it for a cool air source for
the engine.  I'm sure there's a way to reroute this horn, if you really
wanted to.
  This would take away ballast from the front (where it's needed) and move
it to the rear (where it's definitely not needed).
Battery access would be very difficult for jumpstarting, checking, cleaning,
and replacing.

Overall, your percieved benefit of shorter main wire length is greatly
outweighed by all the negative factors.

Request disapproved; resubmit in 30 days for further disapproval........

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard A Jones" <jones@COLORADO.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 6:39 PM
Subject: Type 2s battery in engine compartment

>> The original TYpe II's had the battery in this location--
>> makes you wonder why they moved it out of the engine compartment
>> in the first place.
>
> If you ever checked the battery water level, you'd be glad they
> moved it.  No engine deck lid, only the rear engine door.  I used
> to use a mirror and flashlight to SEE the water level.  ADDING
> water was another thing....
>
> This in a '61, '67 and '76.
>
>                        Richard A Jones
>                        Boulder, Colorado
>