Date:         Tue, 8 Apr 2008 15:26:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      For the emergency brake area..
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

  I built a sturdy birch ply box that is just a bit narrower than the
available space and a couple of feet long, about 9" height.  I put some low
dividers down inside and made the lid of sturdy 3/4" birch ply with some
hardwood molding around that end grain.  The molding is up about 1/4" all
around and the ply sticks below the molding about 1/2".  I rounded all the
edges of everything.  The top fits down inside the box and is supported by
that molding.  In the recess, on top of the top, I have some non-skid stuff
(removable) and I put a cleat on the very  bottom to level the box fore and
aft.  A couple of 'finger holes' in the ends of the box make it easily moved
around and the lid just lifts clear off (it fits, on edge, alongside on the
passengers side, between the box and the seat).
  About half the time, I have that lid in place and use that box as a
console, a flat place between the seats that holds stuff like my cell phone,
my pack, the dog's front paws, etc.  You can walk right on top when you need
to go between the seats.  Half the time I have the lid stashed beside the
box and have access to all the crap that ends up in the divided sections
inside the box...Keys, bridge toll change, pliers, flashlights...etc etc.  I
also use the whole thing as a sometime seat, just drag it out by the finger
holes or lift it outside and use it as a step..Map atlas' fit nicely between
the box and the E-brake handle.
  Jake, the younger of my 3 Chesapeake's, would *kill me* if I ever took
that out...he loves to stand with his front paws on the box and watch
through the windshield as we cruise down the highway.. The E-brake handle is
still accessible beside the box.
  Don Hanson