With all this talk of "relaying" headlights, I have a couple of questions.
My 1983 diesel vanagon has a "power shortage" in the front of the van. The
lights dim when the fan comes on, the stereo freaks out sometimes when the
head lights are on, etc.

Keep in mind the battery is in the back (engine compartment) on this
model.

1) Why relay? Does the light switch not handle enough current? Or, is this
a relay that controls a seperate power line to the headlights?
2) Would install another (or thicker) power wire to the front solve this
voltage drop problem? (Yeah, I could use the wire resistance tables,
length,  and total current draw to figure out the voltage drop with Ohms
law...but it's more fun to ask the list
:-) )

Oh yeah, and I am still looking for a diesel westy. :-)

Jon