TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:19 pm

I must first give credit where it's due. Mootpoint posted this one a couple years ago: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=264050&highlight=closet

After admiring the functionality of this for sometime, and finally working up the courage through several of his pep-talks, I finally cut into the cabinet wall. It's really not as difficult as it might seem, and anyone with basic woodworking skills can accomplish this in an afternoon.

Used a 4" hole saw for the corners, and the finest tooth jigsaw blade I could find.

My initial measurements were to determine how much depth was in the closet, and where I wanted the door. I needed to clear the GW shoulder belt and I wanted the door to open 90* with the seat back up. Once determined, I used a right angle ruler to draw out my left vertical and bottom lines using the rearmost cabinet opening as my guide.

I had the frame from the donor, so used this as a template for drawing out the cut lines. Then it's time to drill out the corners.

Make certain to clear the cabinet before drilling/cutting.

The point of no return. This is the first of the four corners to be drilled out. The center hole was simply practice.

I used the right angle rulers as both a guide and to keep the jigsaw level during cutting. Likely not the best method, but it worked.

The hole! :shock:

Routed out the slot for the T-molding using a Freud 63-104 router bit. LOTS of dust. A bit of glue in the resulting slot, and tapped the original T-molding right in.

The finished project - works exactly as intended and looks like it came from Westfalia this way. The only thing I'll add is a couple more mesh pockets like seen on the back wall to the inside of the door for convenient storage.

Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:26 pm

this is the kind of posts I really enjoy reading, awesome job! looks 100% stock when did you say you are coming down here? seriously, I have the parts.

Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:07 pm

That is really nice work!

Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:15 pm

i so want to do this but can never seem to find the door in grey plenty of browns ones avail but no grey ...looks great ....thank god you noticed the little closet troll in there before cutting :wink:

Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:16 pm

Way to go!

Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:32 pm

Very Nice!!

Love the pics!!

Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:00 pm

Super clean!!! Me likey.

Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:02 pm

Thanks Erik...keep blazin' trails!

Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:22 pm

Looks AMAZING!

=D> =D>

Wish I had a Westy to do cool mods with..

Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:55 am

Where did you get the overhead net and the pocket nets? Nice work by the way. Measure twice cut once. :)

Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:18 am

1621,

The Man with the Cajones Grandes to make that first cut!
Way to go!

-CJ

PS - Hang onto the hole saw and jigsaw blade, I might borrow them soon, hee hee. . .

Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:22 am

rsxsr wrote: Where did you get the overhead net and the pocket nets? Nice work by the way. Measure twice cut once. :)

The overhead net was a GW purchase. Handy for small, light, and loose items - honestly not as frequently used as I had initially imagined. The mesh pockets are found at Bus Depot, and I use those all the time.

In this case, I measured dozens of times before I worked up the courage to cut! Nerve wracking to say the least.

Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:23 am

climberjohn wrote: 1621,

The Man with the Cajones Grandes to make that first cut!
Way to go!

-CJ

PS - Hang onto the hole saw and jigsaw blade, I might borrow them soon, hee hee. . .

X2. Looking for a gray door :wink:

Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:20 pm

From someone who's not so good with wood, much thanks!

Using the square for jigsaw is a neat idea!

One of these days, like if I ever have children and need more space, I may get around to making a sliding door for that area.

Neil.

Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:43 pm

Thank you for sharing
If I only had the courage to cut and drill into my westy

Sat Jun 12, 2010 1:21 am

Did the same mod myself and one of the best things I have done to the van....that and the pop top struts.

Took a big deep breath to start the cutting, but well worth it. Now if I can only find reverse hinges to turn the door around the other way !! :)

Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:11 am

SirIvor70 wrote: Now if I can only find reverse hinges to turn the door around the other way !! :)

I'm probably not understanding, but can't you just turn the door upside down to put the hinges on the other side?

Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:40 am

Steelhead wrote: SirIvor70 wrote: Now if I can only find reverse hinges to turn the door around the other way !! :)

I'm probably not understanding, but can't you just turn the door upside down to put the hinges on the other side?

Unfortunately it's not that easy. The hinges are a two piece design that relies on gravity to keep the door in place. Flipped to the other side and the door would simply fall off.

The hinges off of the left-swinging lower door by the bench seat would work, everything else in the van swings to the right. It must be a political thing. :lol:

The hinges on the door side are also riveted in, a different design altogether from the cabinet side. Those would need to be drilled out and replaced as well.

Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:49 am

There are some photos and directions at [url] ww.griffco.ca/interest/[/url] and look for the Westfalia link.
Just more ideas for a wardrobe mod.

Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:54 pm

Disregard my previous statement. It is far easier to reverse the hinges than previously thought. Thanks WW_Victoria for the info!

*Taken from this thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416764&start=40

WW_Victoria wrote: I love this mod as well - and I added shelves...

just a note though... to make the door swing this way I sourced the hinges from the small water access door on the water cabinet... not necessary, while playing today I realized these hinge parts are reversible. I just knocked the cap and the pin out of the hinge with a hammer and a nail...

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