I just finished installing an Atwood propane heater in my westy.  What a PITA!!!  O.k. maybe not that bad compared to some of the crummy vanagon jobs, but it took all day and several trips to the store to get the supplies.

Fortunately several people have put this heater in Westies before so their are install pics and instructions.  Still you have to check measurements twice because you are cutting into the side of your van and permanently modifying your cabinet.

And if you are not familiar with flaring propane lines putting in tees and bends you may wind up doing them 3 times like I did.   Wiring up the thermostat and power was simple in comparison.  The furnace sticks out of the little cabinet by the fridge by about an inch, so you have to come up with some way to trim it and make it look good.

But like other tricky jobs, there is always a sense of accomplishment at the end.  I lose the little cabinet by the fridge for storage, but having a real heater is nice.

Dave in Fort Collins