That sure can be a pain.  The Los Angeles has a viewing angle
adjustment.  Works pretty well for me.   Also has a host of other
useful/worthless features depending on ... your point of view.  I can
post a .pdf of the user manual on the Yahoo Vanagon group if y'all
would like.

On Tue, Sep 9, 2008 at 8:21 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
> One thing to consider when choosing a stereo for vanagon use.  If you put it
> into the normal space, it's 'face' will point below horizontal.  Your
> eye-level, as you sit in the driving position, it far above it.  With the
> mostly LCD/LED readouts now, it can be impossible to read your stereo's
> settings without bending way over to get a more direct sight-angle at the
> faceplate.  I have a Sony in my 84 that I simply can't read, safely, while
> driving.  When you glance down from a safe driving position, all you see is
> a mirror-like face until you lean way over and get a direct look into the
> window.  In direct sunlight, it's almost impossible to see unless you get
> right down there.
>  So, when you shop, keep that in mind.  Oh yeah...Mine loses it's settings
> and returns to 'default' settings when you withdraw the power.  It also
> draws enough electricity, just sitting there off so that my aux battery will
> go flat in about 4 days without me turning on the stereo.  So I've installed
> a switch, rather than removing the plate every time(that is a pain, and you
> have to 'store' that face if you do it like that)  So whenever I want
> sounds, I flip the switch to power up the unit, but it's then back to
> default settings so I have to re-program it, which entails about a minute of
> poking fussy little teenie buttons and peering into the face plate trying to
> read minute LED lights to get the sounds I want..
>  Wonderful stuff, progress.  I much prefer the stereo in my Ford truck to
> that fancy modern Sony...
>  Don Hanson
>