Hello Mark and Fellow Listers,

The Behr aftermarket air conditioning system is the preferred unit for
Vanagon installations.  They also make many of the components of the
factory systems for many German cars.  They (Behr) are the manufacturer of
the plastic enclosure which moves your radio from the stock location to
the new position just forward of the shifter, with the radio mounted
vertically.  They place air conditioning outlets in the stock radio
location.  IMHO, the worst part of this is that you lose a portion of the
glove compartment where the evaporator and blowers (2 of them) are
installed.  The original owner of my Westfalia Syncro ordered it without
factory air conditioning because he didnt want to loose the overhead
storage with the A/C evaporator.  He had the VW dealer install the Behr
system when he took initial delivery of the Vanagon.

Be very careful with the radio enclosure.  Mine was broken and when I
ordered a new one from Behr, maybe five years ago, they indicated that
they were no longer making the parts for these AC systems,  I got one of
the last radio enclosures.

I am considering building a box, similar in height and shape to the
instrument pod, that will mount on top of the dashboard in which to mount
my JVC stereo system, and a power feed for my radar detector, and a couple
of cup holders made into the top of it.  This new box will live over the
present ashtray, which when removed provides an excellent pathway for
wires and cables for the new radio box.  The box, if properly made and
upholstered, could also function as a very nice home for additional
instruments, drink holders etc.

I will be pulling the dash this spring to install the wiring harnesses for
my newly acquired electric mirrors, to install a new blower switch for the
A/C and fix some other niggly things.  If anybody has any suggestions
regarding the "box", please let me know.  Im all ears.

I have also lost the resistor package which allows low and medium speeds
on one of the fans.  This assembly is no longer available.  If anyone has
one of these available, I would like to know about it :-).

Best Wishes to all,
Jon B Kanas

Lockheed Martin Corporation
Flight Systems Spacecraft Test Lab
303-977-6354
jon.b.kanas@lmco.com