I have another friend who made the vanagon exit and got something else
(this one and the other with the Sprinter are long time vanagon owners)

So he sold this Westy (2.3 GW engine, full camper) and bought a good used
Toyota Tundra, bought a small used camper trailer, got rid of the wheels
and suspension and put it on the back of the Tundra, refreshed the interior
a bit and drove to Alaska...

On Fri, May 13, 2022 at 2:13 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

>  It's Friday, so OK to post something like this.  I have owned VW vans
> since 1974; current '85 is approaching 300,000 miles of fun.  Has a recent
> Subie 2.2 motor conversion, a new rebuild of transmission, and soon will
> have new front suspension and new brakes all around.  So obviously, I am
> committed to this thing.
>
> Others have eyed my Vanagon with envy.  My tintop parks nicely in garage,
> gets 22 MPG, I smile everytime I drive, especially when I see reflection in
> glass store front windows.
>
> So....Toyota Sienna.  About a 2005-2008.  Fits in garage.  Has A/C that
> works.  Drivetrain is exactly like my daily driver, a 2004 Toyota
> Highlander.  V-6 motor.  Robust.  Parts and service are available
> anywhere.  Price on San Diego Craigslist is typically around $6000 to
> $9000.  Plentiful.
>
> My idea would be to strip back interior.  Build my own bed and camper
> interior.  Screens on windows.  House Battery in that deep space in the
> back of Sienna.  Butane stove.  Ice chest.  Custom curtains.  All the usual
> junk too.  Totally doable.  Great campervan for 2 people.
>
> Please don't hate me.....just thinking.
>