hi John,
1.9 wbx and 2.1 waterboxer air boxes are different, so you could/should say
which you are talking about.

The 83 to 85 1.9 square one does take a bit of a jam to get it pricely back
in place.

however...on neither is it necessary to remove anything underneath.

perhaps someone mounted yours on the bottom with bolts.
that's not stock.
Stock-original is the bottom of the air box has large plastic pins that sit
in rubber grommets on the little shelf there.
  it's a pain sometimes to get both pins in their rubber grommets ..
but they'll go ...with some persuasion, particularly on the square 1.9 air
box.

Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 4:34 PM
Subject: Alternative Mounting of AFM and Air Filter Box

>  Does anyone know of a good alternative method to secure the
> AFM/Air-Filter box so it doesn't move around. That factory mount of the
> box is an abomination. It's an absolutely miserable thing to get to, and
> when you need to work on top with the box out - you have to go
> underneath and remove the shield and then the two bolts holding the box.
> Then you can go back on top to remove the box and do your work. What a
> crappy arrangement.
>
> Anyone know of alternatives that are secure? Alternatives that don't
> require getting under the van and doing all that removing?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com