You stated the 3 good things like it was the complete list and it isn't.

Jay's kit is far from the kind of hack job you are talking about.

Most people have to pay retail for Vanagon parts and $100 an hour for a
shop replace them. If there is a $30 alternative to a $200 - $400 repair
then 'bring it on' many of them would say. Not all VW owners have the
money to spend for the "right" fix when a much cheaper alternative
exists and may do the job for a long time, even forever.

In my own case I put a relay kit in one of my Syncros when the starter
began sometimes acting up. I think that was like 6 years ago. I can
afford a starter any day but with a diff lock equipped Syncro I am happy
to leave the still working starter alone. I don't have a shop and I have
to lay on the ground under the van.

Mark

Jeff Schwaia wrote:
> "almost true"...  is that like "almost pregnant"???   ;-)
>
> I guess I'm a jaded VW mechanic.  Back when I was a lad working at a VW shop in Leucadia (Harvey's Automotive), I saw way too many starter relay hack jobs that could've been avoided with a $1 starter bushing.  Always considered it a lazy, hack-job work around.
>
> Do it once, do it right...
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
>
>
>