<paste T.Low's introduction here> Well, almost.
I'm a former North-wet-ner that's been relocated south. Moved to Jacksonville FL 2 years ago from PDX and left my beloved '86 VW Westy there. It'd been parked for 7 years waiting for me to put the 2nd engine I'd built for it in the 5 years before that. Wonderful vehicle, not so wonderful powerplant.
Like T.Low and many others, I've eyeballed the Sportmobile as being what the westy wanted to be. The perfect kayak hauler/RV that fits in a normal parking space.
Then a fellow I work with said he was selling his '94 Astro AWD Ext w/74k miles on it because it burned too much gas and he sold the boat that he used it to pull. Visions of Syncro danced through my head (except waaay more reliable and worst gas milage).
So before I plunked down the $1500 he was asking (ok price? <its immaculate>), I figured I'd check the electronic oracle to see who's already BTDT.
And here y'all are! WOW! You really gotta be careful what you ask for. Waay too much good stuff here. I have not sealed the deal yet, but I've already been in contact with GTRV and cruising craigslist for a S-10 transfer case.
I'll post a "before" pic next week sometime. I know I'll have plenty of questions and hopefully something to contribute. I'm just glad I stumbled in.
