You are right Dan currently it is not very practical due to the points you
raise - hopefully over time this will change and will provide a solution to
the mounting challenges of owning a Vanagon.

BT

On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 12:48 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> it's a good idea Bruce... but
>
> - will there be an EV engine + batteries weighing the same as a 2.1 WBX
> (or a Subie engine)?
> - will there be enough charger stations in remote locations where "We"
> (vanagoneers) like to go?
> - prices: GW 2.5 WBX is around $6K (plus labor) - a 2.2. or 2.5 subaru
> conversion is around $15K
>
> The idea of an EV engine is wonderful for the environment and other
> issues... but
>
> What will be the price and how long to wait for it...?
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 12:20 PM Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> All the more reason to pray for a long range electric Vanagon motor to
>> keep
>> our beasts on the road longer without nearly as much pollution.  Just
>> think
>> no cooling system whatsoever, no exhaust, no noisy or stuck valves or head
>> replacements, no discussions about synthetic vs regular oil - except for
>> maybe the transmission.  I could remove the oil temp and pressure gauges
>> from my dash...but of course we can always chat about tires!
>>
>> Bruce
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 11:51 AM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > *"And from my perspective, would the person servicing it be capable?"*
>> >
>> > Well... they will say they are capable because they have the Bentley
>> book
>> > on the shelf... and the real capable mechanic is busy jumping from one
>> van
>> > to another to help solve the problems...
>> >
>> > I have a story... my daughter was travelling recently with her '90
>> tintop
>> > from Oregon to Arizona. In Tucson a little rubber hose connected to the
>> > thermostat tower blew. She found a shop in Tucson and waited for 3 days
>> to
>> > have a spot for repairs. They replaced the hose and some other
>> unnecessary
>> > stuff. On her way back to Oregon, some hundred miles north of Tucson,
>> the
>> > coolant light blinked (not overheated). I told her to check the coolant
>> > level in the expansion reservoir, it's very low (they didn't bleed
>> > properly)... she filled it up. Some hundred miles later, the same thing
>> > happened. I told her to check the level every morning before hitting the
>> > road. She happened near the GW store so I told to get a new blue cap and
>> > have the cooling system bleed well. No one had a spot for her and GW
>> didn't
>> > do it. So I have to instruct her how to bleed over the phone and email.
>> She
>> > did it with the help of her boyfriend. They made it home safely.
>> >
>> > So... yes... There are still some good mechanics with experiences on
>> > vanagon out there... BUT... how many young ones want to learn to replace
>> > them after they are gone?
>> >
>> > On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 11:03 AM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > > In part, this is a matter of "aging out."  If these folks are to stay
>> in
>> > > business, they must hire young folks into their shops.  There just
>> aren't
>> > > enough old folks who know our vehicles still around.  Just this past
>> > week,
>> > > I tried to set up a shop visit for my camper.  Best shop locally by
>> > > reputation is one called European Auto Haus.  Best tech there used to
>> be
>> > > "Obie," who was trained in Germany on VWs back in the day.  He was
>> super.
>> > > But Obie of course could not work forever.  He had to move on to
>> > > retirement, well deserved.  Sadly, European Auto Haus responded by
>> saying
>> > > that there are six Vanagons in shop currently for work, but none of
>> them
>> > > will get serviced before summer, and that they could not promise a
>> date
>> > for
>> > > my van earlier than
>> > > August.  And from my perspective, would the person servicing it be
>> > > capable?  mcneely
>> > >
>> > > On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 10:52 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>> > > wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > The recent post about why do you purchase from Amazon reminded me of
>> > the
>> > > > good old days of purchasing from our venders like Vanagain.  One of
>> the
>> > > > best things was that I could ask questions about the products
>> > especially
>> > > > about correct fit or how to install.
>> > > >
>> > > >         I realize that now, Ken is the only vender that I can still
>> do
>> > > > that with.  He is incredibly generous with his time.  I really don’t
>> > know
>> > > > how he does it and runs a family business as well.
>> > > >
>> > > > In tech emergencies I have called Ken and he has answered the phone
>> and
>> > > > helped.  Last time was when a friend was helping to install Ken’s
>> power
>> > > > steering rack. It was a simple thing but we would not have figured
>> it
>> > out
>> > > > without Ken answering the call.
>> > > >
>> > > >         I try not to call unless I need to.  Another time when a
>> friend
>> > > > was here we were stuck and called Dennis.  And sure enough he
>> talked us
>> > > > through the problem.
>> > > >
>> > > > In the old days I used to talk to folks at Bus depot, but though I
>> > really
>> > > > appreciate the business, and I hope to drop in to visit one day, the
>> > > folks
>> > > > on the phone can’t help with issues, as they don’t know VW buses.
>> And,
>> > > > sadly the site is very hard for me to use. They do however, have a
>> lot
>> > of
>> > > > great bus items and nice to have them on my coast!
>> > > > Van Cafe, was great before it was sold.  Peter and others there
>> talked
>> > me
>> > > > through many part installations.But, that ended.
>> > > >
>> > > > I even once got tech help from GW, but they don’t seem to do work
>> there
>> > > > any longer. Though to be fair, They were very helpful in emailing
>> > > > information back about specific products like how to update the
>> engine
>> > > > management system.
>> > > >
>> > > > So, I really appreciate that Ken sends out help videos, has useful
>> > > > articles and info on his site, and I don’t know how he does it, but
>> > even
>> > > > answered the phone and gave help directly.
>> > > >
>> > > > I do miss the days of calling the different venders to make orders,
>> and
>> > > > get personal direction on the products.
>> > > >
>> > > > I think they mean well, but other then Ken I don’t think vanagon or
>> VW
>> > > bus
>> > > > people answer the phone, or can directly assist.
>> > > >
>> > > > Hang in they're Ken.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Eric Caron
>> > > >
>> > >
>> >
>>
>