Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:55:45 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: westy interior install, was Re: westy kitchen mod question
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTil35PzjHSJCzf9lSL2cD-VsKOfrXBrfxKZYHeVj@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
see my responses in body...
On 10-Jun-10, at 3:54 PM, craig cowan wrote:
> Keep in mind the differences between a passanger van and a
> westfalia in
> terms of the roof. The westfalia roof is flat and sits about an
> inch lower
> in the center, while a passanger van roof is curved. (And a sunroof
> van roof
> is 1.1'' lower throughout on the interior!).
> As such, the overhead cabinet designed for the flat roof of the
> westfalia
> does not fit on the curved roof of the passanger van. The rear corner
> cabinet (WARDROBE) is also too tall, specifically on the corner
> along the
> outside edge and will need to be cut down.
yes, need a curved filler piece for overhead cabinet. Westfalia did
make such a cabinet for the "Mosaik" kit.
Damn yes, the wardrobe also is cut for the flat roof. When cut down I
guess I lose that "secret" storage on top of wardrobe.
> The rear seatbelts are held in by finely threaded and wildly large
> machine
> screws, which often require strange amounts of force even if not
> coroded or
> cross threaded....
seatbelts no prob, all in hand.
> The westfalia bed however will require some additional holes that
> go over
> the flat section of the rear but infront of the engine bay. Those
> are not
> there on passanger vans and will need to be drilled.
you can see perf stamping on the sound proofing stuff on top of deck.
I was hoping if I cut thru the asphalt I'd find a hole. I think I
will use a riv-nut instead of a nut bolt and fender washer.
.
> The welded in brackets allows one less need for two people or
> creative use
> of vice grips.
> I found the act of cutting and removing from the westfalia pieces that
> needed to be welded in to be a reassuring and important part of the
> installation that constantly reminds me that this is not just a hacked
> together bolt in job.
I just went out with a zip disk on angle grinder and tried taking one
of the brackets off. Not fun, and not a good result. I think I will
bolt down a sub frame under rear bench to take the place of the
brackets. Same for the 2 on kitchen side.
>
> I suggest not installing any of the exterior (3) ports (water,
> electric,
> water fill). There is just no point, and they are known to leak. I
> did cut
> the hole for the dometic, and run mine on propane all the time and
> love it.
> However, when I do it again in the near future, I plan to install an
> electric fridge and thus avoid cutting any holes. Cut the dometic
> hole by
> first making and tripple checking your template, taping it on, and
> going to
> town with a nice scroll saw and a brand new Bosche Metal blade. You
> will use
> many of these (as well as 1/8'' drill bits!) so don't be afraid to
> replace
> them.
Not going to install the ports either. I'll fill water tank from
inside. if I had the money on hand I would put in electric fridge,
but as is, will cut hole for dometic.
your idea of replacing 110 volt outlets with 12 V ones is a good one.
Will copy. Never used the 110 in my westy, except at home to power a
low wattage heater to keep inside dry over winter storage.
> The swivel seat install particularly is handy on the passanger seat.
> Don't put the westfalia window in behind the kitchen, keep the
> passanger van
> one! It's 50/50 to open rather than 60/40 and allows for greater
> ventilation
> while parked. They sell window screen kits that fit it.
> Or better yet, put in the bay window Jelousey windows! (my next
> project!)
Agree to above. was only going to put swivel in pass seat. Never used
drivers seat swivel that much, and I want to retain headroom for me
(6-2).
> Drilling holes for the drain and propane and all that crap is best
> done with
> a series of "hole saws" that fit in your drill. Go buy nice metal
> ones.
got something better, a set of Greenlee punches. Will make nice holes :)
> I must be missing a few things off the top of my head, but that's a
> few good
> pointers to consider.
> I'm way to young to have this much knowledge of how to do this......
thanks Craig. its very helpful to get your input.
alistair
