I have always thought the front fiberglass portion of the Westy was
responsible for a lot of drag/wind noise.  Passenger vans are far quiter,
and get 2 mpg better mileage on the highway. I finally got around to
finishing my modified front section.  I saw a genuine European Westy with
one.  It must have been available at some point there.  I also saw some wind
tunnel results for Vanagons.  .44 for the stock van, .50 for the Westy, with
the front really throwing up turbulent air all the way from the front.
    I drove about 1000 miles to the High Country Bus campout. Unfortunately,
due to some really bad traffic jams, I don't have any good numbers for MPG
improvements. I was hoping for 8% at 65 mph, with better results at higher
speeds.  It is definitely getting better mileage, but I can't verify how
much.  I can't verify the noise either, as it was 90+ degrees and I was
driving with the windows down.
     Hopefully the drive home will allow for better results with less
traffic/wind effects.
     The worse mileage I got was 25.8 MPG, which includes almost 2 hours in
a jam in Raleigh due to an accident.  Other than that, there was minimal
wind.  that was on a 311 mile run from souther NC. I kept the speed at 65-70
the rest of the time.
     Ir really like the idea of closing off the bottom of the van.  Cheap
and easy, and might also reduce road noise.

     John
     87 Westy 2wd MT
     .70 4th
     2002 EJ25 Subaru