In a message dated 9/26/99 11:52:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
shortlid@JUNO.COM writes:

<<   Is this a common rust spot on Vanagon's?? In any
 event how do we prep, fix, and prevent this from happening again?  >>

rotten rockers are common on '79 and down buses, and vanagons are becoming of
age where that will happen to them too, if you live in the salt belt. the
only way to fix it is by welding in new metal. if you use bondo to repair
rust holes, you will be sorry.  i've had a few early '80' vanagons that were
pretty rotty, that i've parted.  the '81 westy that im parting out now has
bad dogleg rust, the "steps" in the front footwells are rotted out, inside
the rear of the front wheelwells, the bottom of the sliding door is totally
rotted away, and the passender rear rocker and the whole drivers side rocker
are full of holes, or nonexistant.   surprising has very little seam rust,
tho..  still, it runs good.. :<)
chris