Date:         Wed, 19 Nov 1997 18:34:11 -0800
Reply-To:     Pete Jaeger <pete@SCENIC-VIEW.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Pete Jaeger <pete@SCENIC-VIEW.COM>
Subject:      CD Changer location in Westfalia[via LSMTP - see www.lsoft.com]
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Jim,

My name is Pete Jaeger.  I recently purchased a 1989 Westfalia and soon
discovered the Vanagon list on the Internet.  After searching through
several years of e-mail (with lots of great tips by folks such as yourself),
I read you posting of April 30, 1997:

>I've mounted two (in two vans) in the space under the passenger seat.  Theres
>plenty of room nuder the seat forward of the battery area.  You can cut out a
>portion of the front sheet metal and have access to the front of the player
>for changing CD magazines with no need to move the seat.  I figured the under
>the passenger seat was the best place.  A front passenger can change
>magazines easily while you're driving, or while you're stopped, you can reach
>over and make a change from thr driver's seat.
>
>Good luck,
>Jim Davis
>87 GL Syncro
>88 GL Wolfsburg

This interests me because I will be adding a Clarion 6 CD changer within the
next couple weeks.  I want to follow your lead and mount the changer in the
empty space under the passenger (facing forward).  Obviously this involves
cutting a hole in the sheet metal, etc.  Being a somewhat anal retentive
engineering type, I'd like to cut ONE hole, in the optimal position and of
optimal size.  I was wondering if you would be so kind as to answer two
questions for me:

        1. I removed the passenger seat and the black swivel tray the seat
           slides into, hoping that the compartment under the seat was
           accessible from above.  It appears that the compartment is
           welded shut and that there is no way to remove some secret bolt(s)
           and get inside.  My question is, "Am I correct, or is the compartment
           accessible by somehow removing the sheet metal under the black
           swivel platform?"  Note that the Bentley manual does not even talk
           about the swivel platform, let alone the compartment beneath it!

        2. If there is no way inside, then I have another question: "How big a
           hole did you cut in the front portion of the seat and where was it
           located?"  In other words, I am looking for some insight/hints
           before I start cutting sheet metal. I don't want to put the hole in
           the wrong spot, etc.

I'd really appreciate the advice.  If it's too difficult to explain in an
e-mail, I could call you at your convenience.  Just let me know your number and
a good time to call.  Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

Pete


                       ~`''~
                       (~ o)
+------------------oOO--(_)--OOo------------------+
|                   Pete Jaeger                   |
|             E-mail: pete@scenic-view.com        |
|             Web Page: www.scenic-view.com       |
|             Phone:  (541) 488-4839              |
|             FAX:    (541) 488-8729              |
+--------------------(_)--(_)---------------------+