Date:         Sun, 14 Sep 2003 06:49:12 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Anyone widened a VW van?
In-Reply-To:  <3F634029.E0A30A1F@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>I've thought about it pretty hard. Due to the fact that the front is
>where a lot of the more tricky bits are I concluded that widening it
>behind the front seats would be the way to go though a slight stretch
>also would be best to accommodate the width transition area.  Dash,
>windshield, heater box, radiator, grills, fuel tank area, etc. would be
>left stock.  Widening is harder than stretching and stretching is plenty
>of work as I found out. Given enough time and money most things are
>possible. I don' think that 15-20cm would add enough for comfortable
>seating 4-abreast. The stock 3 wide seating area allows for more than
>50cm per person. I would look at 40cm or more wider and at least 20cm in
>stretching as well. 3 donor bodies would make it easier with my approach
>though it could be done with 2. No problem finding cheap rust free
>junked donor Vanagons in SoCal but harder elsewhere perhaps.

The T3 is already a wide vehicle. TOO wide for many narrow streets.
Widening one by 40cm (16") would make it plenty wider than a Frod
Trans*it/ Merccedizzy Sprainer...
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
64 (3) 473-8863
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Fossil preparator
Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut