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