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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:19 pm Post subject: Closet door mod |
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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!
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.
_________________ '85 Westy |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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reluctantartist Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2006 Posts: 1927 Location: Bloomington, IN
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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GBA 88West LA Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008 Posts: 1279 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ 88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4482 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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Way to go! |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3990 Location: Maine
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wbx Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2005 Posts: 1254 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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snoop Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2007 Posts: 350 Location: SW Oregon
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Erik...keep blazin' trails! _________________ 87 Westy Camper |
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ddonnell Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Sunset Beach
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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Looks AMAZING!
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 |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 16972 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:55 am Post subject: |
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Where did you get the overhead net and the pocket nets? Nice work by the way. Measure twice cut once. _________________ ☮️ |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:18 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:22 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ '85 Westy |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:23 am Post subject: |
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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 _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10333 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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EL31415 Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2009 Posts: 192 Location: Los Angeles
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for sharing
If I only had the courage to cut and drill into my westy _________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1985 Westy |
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SirIvor70 Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2004 Posts: 66
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 1:21 am Post subject: |
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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 !! |
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Steelhead Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Kentfield, CA
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:11 am Post subject: |
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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? _________________ '77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:40 am Post subject: |
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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.
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 |
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spitsnrovers Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005 Posts: 924 Location: Calgary, Canada
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:49 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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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...
[/code] |
_________________ '85 Westy |
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