Date:         Wed, 31 Oct 2001 08:46:09 -0800
Reply-To:     David Bingham <DBingham@CASAGOFASTICA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Bingham <DBingham@CASAGOFASTICA.COM>
Organization: Casa Gofastica Motorcycle Service
Subject:      Vanagon Cargo conversion
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello all,

I have been considering converting my vanagon (86 gl) into a
panel van. A friend of mine did this to a 70's bus and it worked
out pretty well. I will also strip the rear part of the interior out
and replace it with thin diamond plate and lots of flush mount
D-rings for securing cargo. I may also add a pop top so I
can still sleep in it. My main reason for doing this is that
I find it is hard to transport large heavy items in the van
with the current configuration. I just need a little more
room and I could get my dirt bike in without bending
the fender or having the silencer bang on the door window.
I have even put a Ducati 748 in the van, but I had to
remove the exhaust to clear the door. I would really
like to be able to transport my Ducati 250 vintage
race bike in it.
Has anyone seen any cargo conversions? Any one
have pictures? I used to see one around Seattle that
was a factory built panel, but I have never seen the
inside of it.
Please don't flame me about ruining a good vanagon.
Mine has 300,000 plus miles and has spent at least
100,000 of that off road or in heavy snow. So I
don't think it is worth much now.
David