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Date:         Fri, 8 Aug 2008 17:42:28 +0000
Reply-To:     Bill Shawley <easywind1975@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Shawley <easywind1975@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: From rags to westy in a week.
In-Reply-To:  <ccd73a10808080742wbfeaa5qa1b85f9bcfad2ae6@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I'm intrigued by the idea of the Westy hookups on the bottom.... Give the opportunity to engineer from the ground up I think I'd choose for this configuration as I seldom use the hookups.> Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 07:42:16 -0700> From: rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM> Subject: Re: From rags to westy in a week.> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > dear craig> why not take advantage of the idea chris presented-> cut your holes in the bottom-> one is electric -one is water- bothof which can be easily done from the> bottom> the flu for the fridge simply needs to be pointed away from the van> so sown and to the side rather than up to the side ...> and no holes in the side of the van> yours> > On Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 3:16 AM, craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:> > > I'm at the point where i will son be cutting the hole for the fridge flu,> > and wondering "How they did that"?> > I was always under the impression it was a round hole.......it is however,> > far from it. So what's the best method of cutting it accurately?> > It's probably too thick for tin snips, a sawzaw would be too rough, a> > series> > of hole saws could get you close, there must be a trick.> >> > What have people done!?!?> >> > -Craig> > '85GL (Half Westy)> > '80Westy (Half rust)> >> > On Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 9:23 PM, mdrillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:> >> > > I always just use bolts through the floor with locknuts below. Oversize> > > washers are a good idea too. A big advantage of locknuts for this is that> > > you don't need tighten them that much and thus don't need to distort the> > > cabinet bottom or washers by cranking them down in fear of them loosening> > > over time. I clamp a visegrip on the bolt head and then put the nut on> > from> > > below. That lets me do it alone when help is not at hand. Only the front> > > floor bolt holes can be used this way on the bed/bench since the rear> > floor> > > holes would not be accessible from below. I also use metric screws with> > > locknuts on the bed hinge strap holes instead of relying on the sheet> > metal> > > screws the factory used.> > >> > >> > > Mark> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > The bed/benchcraig cowan wrote:> > >> > >> Well today was an uneventful day in the conversion. I purchased the> > >> necessary hole saws (Still can't believe they fetch what they do cost> > >> wise....), and went to town. I have 3 nice holes in my floor, all> > probably> > >> in the wrong spots. (We'll worry about that later).> > >> I also determined that the front two "nuts" welded to the body for the> > >> propane tank are in the right places, but the two rear most ones will> > need> > >> to be added. For the front's, i will have to have a hole going through> > the> > >> floor (well, unless i use bolts from below), so i think i'll take my> > >> trusty> > >> 1/8'' titanium drill bit that's getting oh so much use in this> > conversion,> > >> and send it up from the bottom in the center of the welded in nuts as a> > >> pilot hole, and then using bigger and bigger bits drill through the> > floor> > >> from up above and later insert the bolt, and weld the head in place. The> > >> problem here though is that i'll end up drilling out the threads inside> > >> the> > >> welded on nuts.....> > >> So do you guys who have converted, just use bolts from below in the> > front> > >> most two positions, and drill holes and weld the heads of bolts from> > above> > >> to the floor to give you studs in the rear most two?> > >>> > >> I also cut out all the little brackets that secure the rear bed and the> > >> fridge to the floor, and while i'm trying to find someone to weld them> > in,> > >> i'm thinkin "What's the point of these?". They raise it up so that the> > nut> > >> is flush with the top portion of the westfalia installed wood floor,> > >> making> > >> it so that the flat bottom of the seat surface mates with the flat top> > of> > >> the wooden floor, and the bolts have very little to travel before> > enaging> > >> and therefore securing the bed to the floor. Well.....so why can't i> > just> > >> weld a nut to the floor? Or for that matter, just drill a hole....and> > put> > >> a> > >> nut on the other side of the floor (Well i don't want to do this, too> > much> > >> work pulling the bed later on.). I think so long as you had a nut> > fastened> > >> to the floor, it would all "pull in" wouldn't it? I was always under the> > >> impression that the brackets were one of the major obsticles in a> > >> conversion> > >> to a westy......but if they seem pointless and can be done in a way> > other> > >> than stock, then i was in fear for nothing.> > >>> > >> I'm still going stock on these for the time being, but i just thought> > >> about> > >> this today and it seemed like a waste of time to make them the way they> > >> are> > >> made.> > >>> > >> -Craig> > >> '85 with new holes> > >>> > >> On Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 3:34 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <> > >> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> well for sure .............the 'jury rigged' factor.> > >>> I've sure seen enough of that in vanagons ! ........but never in> > propane> > >>> systems, but that is a wise thing to watch out for.> > >>>> > >>> very interesting to read ............... " USA based Injury Board> > claims> > >>> domestic propane tank explosions are a> > >>> major source of personal injury in the United States each year."> > >>>> > >>> news to me, but I'll factor that in.> > >>> I think i've only seen brass fittings on propane tanks, never anything> > >>> but> > >>> that.> > >>> scott> > >>> www.turbovans.com> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> ----- Original Message -----> > >>> From: "Roger Whittaker" <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>> > >>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>> > >>> Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 11:22 AM> > >>> Subject: Re: From rags to westy in a week.> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> dear all> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> regarding the brass monkey ...> > >>>> i mean brass wrenches ...> > >>>> nearly 7 years of work in several different refineries has got me> > always> > >>>> thinking of explosions when dealing with older installations and stuff> > >>>> with> > >>>> LEL> > >>>> and yes ..i understand that all approved propane fittings are brass,> > >>>> copper,> > >>>> plated, or something to keep them from sparking. but-> > >>>> when working on a series of vehicles that are already >15 years old> > ...> > >>>> most do not have the new generation quick connect propane hook up> > >>>> any sort of great weirdness could have been jury rigged together by> > >>>> previous> > >>>> owner and those not conversant in propane approved hardware ...> > >>>> might not know ...> > >>>> i certainly would not fully understand everything i was looking at in> > >>>> the> > >>>> propane assembly> > >>>> -specifically what was westfalia factory and what was jury rigged -if> > >>>> it> > >>>> were not clearly different> > >>>> so my note was simply one of caution ...> > >>>> the USA based Injury Board claims domestic propane tank explosions are> > a> > >>>> major source of personal injury in the United States each year.> > >>>> i have also seen more than my share of ... "It was never supposed to> > >>>> happen> > >>>> like that ..." accidents and incidents in workshops and sites-> > >>>> simply my own over whelming need to imbibe the oft over looked aspect> > of> > >>>> safety when dealing with our westies> > >>>> yours> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>> On Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 5:46 AM, Dennis Haynes> > >>>> <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:> > >>>>> > >>>> You definitely need to be careful that the propane is under control.> > As> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> for> > >>>>> the need for Brass wrenches, all approved propane fittings are brass,> > >>>>> copper, plated, or something to keep them from sparking. The Brass> > >>>>> tools> > >>>>> only become a true necessity when working in what may be a hazardous> > >>>>> location and if using steel fittings.> > >>>>>> > >>>>> BTW, once a vehicle is in a garage, the lowest 18 inches is a> > hazardous> > >>>>> location. Does anyone here use XP rated drop lights and power tools?> > >>>>> Think> > >>>>> of that if using one of those kerosene floor heaters for heat.> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>> From: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> Reply-To: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>> > >>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > >>>>>> Subject: Re: From rags to westy in a week.> > >>>>>> Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 22:28:35 -0700> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>> dear craig> > >>>>>> i hope you are storing the propane tank outside and away from errant> > >>>>>> sparks> > >>>>>> while you work> > >>>>>> hook it together with brass wrenches ... check for leaks constantly> > >>>>>> use only new fittings and hoses> > >>>>>> be safe> > >>>>>> yours> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>> On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 7:40 PM, craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com>> > >>>>>> wrote:> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> Well the weekend has passed, and boy do i have alot to show for it!> > I> > >>>>>>> started out friday night with a 1980 westy in deplorable shape, and> > a> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> 1985> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> vanagon with a full interior, and after only 26 hours of work (14> > >>>>>>> hours> > >>>>>>> saturday, only 12 today), i have a fully gutted westy, with the> > >>>>>>> entire> > >>>>>>> interior in my garage and most of it cleaned up, a fully gutted> > >>>>>>> '85GL,> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> all> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> the curtains and curatin hardware has been transfered to the '85,> > the> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> rear> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> cabinet has been cut down 3 inches and installed (It worked out> > >>>>>>> great!),> > >>>>>>> The> > >>>>>>> propane tank and all the westy accessories are off and ready to go,> > >>>>>>> i've> > >>>>>>> removed the westy floor, and the vanagon floor is recieving some> > >>>>>>> holes.> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> I> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> borrowed a welder today in anticipation of cutting and welding in> > the> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> seat> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> brackets (And the one under the kitchen), have removed the rear> > >>>>>>> heater> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> core> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> (which will have to be relocated or negated for the time being),> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> Replaced> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> all my rear seatbelts with the westy configuration, and cleaned up> > >>>>>>> and> > >>>>>>> addressed the start of some rust behind where the fridge will sit> > on> > >>>>>>> my> > >>>>>>> '85.> > >>>>>>> Oh ya, i also found time to pull the engine and transmission, and> > >>>>>>> they> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> went> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> off to a loving home. I would say a pretty fullfilling weekend as a> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> whole.> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> Tommorow evening i will try to get these holes cut, the floor> > >>>>>>> secured,> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> and> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> start cutting/welding in the brackets that need to be addressed. I> > >>>>>>> also> > >>>>>>> plan> > >>>>>>> to figure out how to mount the propane tank on the '85. I'm> > guessing> > >>>>>>> i> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> need> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> to drill some holes, send some bolts through, and weld the heads> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> inplace?> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> I hope to have a 'roof removal party' friday, so i need to have> > >>>>>>> almost> > >>>>>>> everything done by then so I can gather my friends with their> > >>>>>>> favorite> > >>>>>>> cutting instruments, to do some serious damage. So, who thinks a> > >>>>>>> westy> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> can> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> be built in a week? : )> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> -Craig> > >>>>>>> '85(Gutted)> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>> --> > >>>>>> roger w> > >>>>>> There are two kinds of jobs in the world:> > >>>>>> Picking up garbage and telling people things.> > >>>>>> Successful people do both, with the same good attitude. (riw)> > >>>>>> -----------------------------------------------------------> > >>>>>> View the growing list of video work at:> > >>>>>> http://revver.com/find/video/?query=LastonLastof&search_on=owners> > >>>>>> and ... older work at> > >>>>>> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7135104650374818257> > >>>>>> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3259745150182742364> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>> --> > >>>> roger w> > >>>> There are two kinds of jobs in the world:> > >>>> Picking up garbage and telling people things.> > >>>> Successful people do both, with the same good attitude. (riw)> > >>>> -----------------------------------------------------------> > >>>> View the growing list of video work at:> > >>>> http://revver.com/find/video/?query=LastonLastof&search_on=owners> > >>>> and ... older work at> > >>>> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7135104650374818257> > >>>> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3259745150182742364> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > >> >> > > > --> roger w> There are two kinds of jobs in the world:> Picking up garbage and telling people things.> Successful people do both, with the same good attitude. (riw)> -----------------------------------------------------------> View the growing list of video work at:> http://revver.com/find/video/?query=LastonLastof&search_on=owners> and ... older work at> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7135104650374818257> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3259745150182742364 _________________________________________________________________ Your PC, mobile phone, and online services work together like never before. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/108587394/direct/01/


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