I put Karl's setup on my '88 and it worked great and it got me away from
those pesky Bosch starters. I recommend it.

On Thu, Feb 16, 2023 at 5:38 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

>  I further endorse Karl's adapter and TDI starter.  Works every time.  And
> I traveled from St. Louis to San Diego with a less robust one, always
> having to camp downhill, so as to bump start the next morning; no fun.
>
>     On Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 03:28:09 PM PST, Eric Caron <
> ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>  Hi David,
>
>         I would recommend Karl’s adaptor that works with either a TDI or
> gas gear reduction starter.  Same advantages as GW or the ones Dennis
> mentioned now on Amazon but these are easier to get on the road if needing
> a replacement.
>
> I have one on my 85 and love it.  And, am about to put one on my 84.
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
>
>
> > On Feb 16, 2023, at 6:21 PM, David Boan <dboan@OUTLOOK.COM> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Vanagon Types
> >
> > I just returned from a short trip to our local mountains to do some
> snowshoeing. My van is well setup for driving in snow although not a
> syncro. The challenge I face is not the snow but getting the van to start
> in sub-zero temps. The other morning at 8 AM it was -10f, and it is not
> uncommon to be much colder than that. When my starter battery starts to
> give up I can jump it from my two 100ah house batteries, but it still
> cranks slowly and took me more than a half hour to get it started.
> >
> > I am wondering if I would be better off with a gear reduction starter. I
> read that GoWesty recommends the high output gear reduction starter for
> operating in sub-zero temps. So, my question is, does anyone have
> experience with this starter? For those of you in the cold climates, does
> this seem like a good investment?
> >
> > Dave B
> > Boise
> > '85 Westy
>
>