Date:         Tue, 11 Mar 2003 11:58:31 -0500
Reply-To:     "Benjamin E. Beasley" <bbeasley@MIX.WVU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Benjamin E. Beasley" <bbeasley@MIX.WVU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Back Seat Bed Conversion
Comments: To: BenTbtstr8@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <127.2490d6b8.2b9f9fd7@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hey,

You're right...it was a Westy..just not a full camper.  I kinda like the
idea of having the cabinetry underneath the bed to store the hydraulic jack,
tools, etc.  I was planning on cutting a hole for the rear heater in the
bottom of the cabinet then rigging up some ducting so the heat can flow out
to the front of the cabinet.  My main question is; how to attach the stock
seats to the westy seat hinges?  The backrest has a piece of wood on the
back but the bench has only metal spring material.  Any suggestions?  If
worst came to worst I could just use the original Westy back seat and
re-upholster it.

Thanks,

Ben

-----Original Message-----
From: BenTbtstr8@aol.com [mailto:BenTbtstr8@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 3:24 PM
To: bbeasley@mix.wvu.edu; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Back Seat Bed Conversion


In a message dated 3/11/03 10:17:42 AM Pacific Standard Time,
bbeasley@MIX.WVU.EDU writes:

<< I have a 1987 Syncro Vanagon GL and would like to convert the backseat to
that of a Weekender folding seat for camping.  I have the back seat assembly
including cushions, hinges, cabinetry, etc) from a 1981 Weekender.   >>

Ben B.,

It sounds to me that you've got a Westy rather than a van Weekender package.
The typical Weekender option for vans consisted of a rear cushion over the
rear deck, folding bed/bench, and middle bench with seatbacks that folded
forward.

If you have "cabinets" with your donor parts, then it's likely a Westy
(especially since you said it's an '81.) They can be easily mounted but not
as easy as using a simple bench only Weekender bench.

Where are you located? West Virginia, maybe? There are a number of listees
which may reside near you and have access to a better bed combo than the one
available to you now.

BenT