Date:         Thu, 25 May 2000 01:06:57 EDT
Reply-To:     JKrevnov@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Help!  ... middle seat removal...'85 Vanagon
Comments: To: dbeierl@ibm.net, gwilke@livemusic.org
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 5/24/00 10:43:44 PM, dbeierl@IBM.NET writes:

<< At 22:01 5/24/2000, Geoff Wilke wrote:
>Memorial day weekend is coming fast, we're going camping, we're going to
>"break in," this new Vanagon properly, we're going to take the dog but I'd
>like a litt re room. I checked the book, unscrewed all of the visible bolts
>from the seat track but it still son't pick out. What else do I need to do?
>Please Thanks

Lessee -- take up carpet, remove four bolts, slide piece of floor material
out from between tracks, slide seat ditto.  That's all I know...

david >>

Geoff,
That's it in a nutshell.  If you do this often enough three things will
happen: you will strip out the holes for the self-tapping screws which fasten
the threshold molding, you will eventually tear the carpeting and it will
become a nuisance.

Since the utility of a Vanagon is increased manifold with an easily removable
middle seat, I have placed risers beneath the floor mounted tracks to elevate
them above the level of the floor covering materials so that the seat can be
slid out painlessly.  I used 2" T6061 AL bar stock to make the spacers but,
only because I had it on hand and I have an engine lathe which made quick
work of it.

I have done this to 3 Vanagons and, coupled with replacing the carpeting with
rubber matting (remember, the carpet is already torn anyway), it really
brought them into their element.  Now, if a group of kids want to sit facing
each other, no problem.  Then, if I need to move a big hunk of something, no
problem.

Oh, one other thing: if you plan to make a habit of popping that seat in and
out, do yourself a favor and get a dolly.
Rich