Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (June 2010, week 2)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:17:33 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      westy kitchen mod question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

I'm (slowly it seems) stripping out my old '82 westy interior and prepping it for a planned install into my '86 syncro.

Some of the cabinetry was damaged in the accident that put the old reliable '82 into retirement, (after 15 years of pretty well trouble free driving, 1.8 digifant I4 engine... as others have noted, done right its a good reliable engine transplant), so I have to repair bits here and there, and trying not to get downhearted by the fact that the cabinets are not pristine :)

There are a few challenges in installing a westy interior into a passenger van, lack of screw down/support brackets welded on van floor for instance. But nothing that can't be overcome.

As I worked on them, it occurred to me that it might be handy if I could easily remove the cabinets from the new install if I wanted to, say in "off season". I started thinking about using the seat tracks that run athwartships on the van. I installed those tracks and the 3 piece flooring on the old westy, and I also have them in the passenger van. In the westy they stopped at the cabinets, but came close to the door on the other side. In the passenger van they don't come as close to the sliding door (and they are staggered, one longer than the other), but do stretch across to driver side wall.

This of course makes perfect sense for the purpose they were designed for in each model.

So... I had the idea of installing a combo of the 2 sets of tracks, cutting and maybe welding where needed, so they span the entire van. I'd mount the kitchen cabinets onto the tracks, (the sink unit would still need a wall attachment point, on B pillar, for good bracing), tidy up the plumbing and wiring, so that I could slide the cabinets in and out, relatively easily. I'd use the matching bracket (s) found on the seats, mount them on the underside of the cabinets.

I can see some hitches...propane, water drain, tank drain etc. But i think they can be dealt with. I have to clarify, I am not meaning that this would be a 5 minute quick switch of interior modification, but rather something I might do once a year.

Anyone have any comments?

cheers

alistair


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.