Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:59:13 -0400
Reply-To: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Westy rear seat headrest?
In-Reply-To: <20121019092122.IK5LY.2726337.imail@eastrmwml106>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Yes, it ends being the same as if the factory installed them. The seat will fold down flush as it always did once the headrests are removed from the bracket. The bracket is flush with the top of the seat back so does not interfere with the use of the seat as a bed. As I said previously all European vans including the Westfalia campers came with the rear seat headrests. Now, how much, the last ones I brought in ended up selling for $63.66 CAD for one bracket set (you need one bracket set per headrest), and that cost will fluctuate with the exchange rate of the Euro. I do not expect to make another order from Gunzl until the early Spring. Other vendors in the USA, The Bus Depot, Go Westy and Van Cafe all order from Gunzl so it may be better if you got them through one of those dealers and then there would not be the extra shipping, duty and taxes to you from me. If you cannot get them through one of those USA dealers, let me know and I will put them on my next order. I already have some coming with that order as it is.
Frank
On 2012-10-19, at 9:21 AM, mcneely4@cox.net wrote:
> Frank, is this as safe as factory original installation? Also, how does the seat back work as a mattress with the kit installed? Does one then need a "topper" pad for the bed? I assume that the headrest itself can be lifted free, but with this hardware in place, I would think there would be a bothersome spot when trying to sleep.
>
> Another poster said this was available from Bus Depot in the U.S., but it is not in their catalog, or I cannot find it. Can you sell it into the U.S., and would I have to pay extra for the import? Can you quote me a price, U.S. or Canadian?
>
> mcneely
>
> ---- Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:
>> Mark, there is an official kit for this. I can get them from Germany. I have brought in a few and installed them. You will need to remove the upholstery from the seat back, the rest is pretty easy. All rear bench seats in Europe had the kits installed from the factory as they all came with rear seat head rests. See the kit here <http://www.vwbusshop.de/epages/GuenzlClassicParts.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/GuenzlClassicParts/Products/255070211A>
>>
>>
>> On 2012-10-18, at 9:31 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
>>
>>> Your year and model would help but the basic answer assuming US market
>>> Westy from `86 - `91 is no. There is not an already inplace piece to
>>> insert headrests for the rear seat of a Westy. Some people have made their
>>> own but that is about all you can do. The challenge is making something
>>> that is secure enough to withstand a crash without breaking and causing
>>> more injury. Someone else may respond with what they have adapted, made,
>>> or a link to more information. I have seen photo's and a write up that
>>> involved stack headrests and inserts plus some pipe and bracketry but can't
>>> find it at this time.
>>
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Frank Condelli
>> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
>> '87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
>> Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
>> Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
>> BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013
>
> --
> David McNeely
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