Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Closet door mod
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
1621
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2006
Posts: 2174

1621 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:19 pm    Post subject: Closet door mod Reply with quote

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.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Make certain to clear the cabinet before drilling/cutting.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The point of no return. This is the first of the four corners to be drilled out. The center hole was simply practice.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The hole! Shocked
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
'85 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
madspaniard
Samba Member


Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
madspaniard is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
reluctantartist
Samba Member


Joined: August 13, 2006
Posts: 1927
Location: Bloomington, IN
reluctantartist is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is really nice work!
_________________
1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GBA 88West LA
Samba Member


Joined: September 04, 2008
Posts: 1279
Location: New Hampshire
GBA 88West LA is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
_________________
88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
campism
Samba Member


Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4482
Location: Richmond VA
campism is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Way to go!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Timwhy
Samba Member


Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 3990
Location: Maine
Timwhy is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very Nice!!

Love the pics!!
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
wbx
Samba Member


Joined: April 11, 2005
Posts: 1254
Location: Monterey, CA
wbx is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Super clean!!! Me likey.
_________________
'84 Westy (first owner).......but my daily driver has pedals
My "perspective" mantra:
A Volkswagen Vanagon is just a material thing,
As such, it is of the earth,
And if i need to, I can let my Van go.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
snoop
Samba Member


Joined: June 22, 2007
Posts: 350
Location: SW Oregon
snoop is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Erik...keep blazin' trails!
_________________
87 Westy Camper
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
ddonnell
Samba Member


Joined: September 04, 2007
Posts: 373
Location: Sunset Beach
ddonnell is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks AMAZING!

Applause Applause

Wish I had a Westy to do cool mods with..
_________________
1990 Vanagon Carat-SOLD
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 V10
1966 Baja "The Beast"

instagram #bajabugproject
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Classifieds Feedback
MarkWard
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 16972
Location: Retired South Florida
MarkWard is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where did you get the overhead net and the pocket nets? Nice work by the way. Measure twice cut once. Smile
_________________
☮️
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
climberjohn
Samba Member


Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
climberjohn is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. . .
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
1621
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2006
Posts: 2174

1621 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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


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.
_________________
'85 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
carterzest
Samba Member


Joined: January 22, 2008
Posts: 3842
Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
carterzest is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
_________________
Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member


Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10333
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
Vanagon Nut is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
_________________
1981 Westy, 15º ABA

1988 West, 50º ABA

Vanagon VAG GAS engine swap Google Group:
https://tinyurl.com/2f24rmh

VE7TBN
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
EL31415
Samba Member


Joined: December 13, 2009
Posts: 192
Location: Los Angeles
EL31415 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for sharing
If I only had the courage to cut and drill into my westy
_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1985 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
SirIvor70
Samba Member


Joined: August 06, 2004
Posts: 66

SirIvor70 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 1:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 !! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Steelhead
Samba Member


Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1791
Location: Kentfield, CA
Steelhead is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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


I'm probably not understanding, but can't you just turn the door upside down to put the hinges on the other side?
_________________
'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
1621
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2006
Posts: 2174

1621 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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


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. Laughing

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.
_________________
'85 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
spitsnrovers
Samba Member


Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 924
Location: Calgary, Canada
spitsnrovers is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
_________________
'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
1621
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2006
Posts: 2174

1621 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

[/code]

_________________
'85 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Page 1 of 5

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.