TheSamba.com :: View topic - best modifications you've made, NO engine conversions please

Fri Feb 14, 2014 9:31 am

DAV!D wrote:
That's actually a really good idea. I'm installing a 12v fridge in the next few days and I think you just gave me an idea. Any tips on where to find a cut board that size?

Cutting boards (bread boards) are sold in generic sizes. You can buy one bigger than you need and cut it down. The one in the pic uses side mounted roller drawer slides. Most of them are just a piece of nice plywood with wood edges applied.

http://www.firstchoiceproducts.net/breadboards.html

Fri Feb 14, 2014 12:21 pm

nmerrill wrote: One of my most useful favorites...

When installing the new fridge, I left a little space on top, and mounted a custom cut board on drawer slides.

BTW, i still had enough room to surround the fridge with 1 in of xps foam, and have 3-4 inches of space underneath the fridge.
Frankly, the Fridge is the best mod I may have ever done.

I did the same mod. The cuttings board is right where you want it and stays in place. It makes a big difference. Along with the cuttings boards that I used to replace tables there's lots of space for food prep. Plus I found that using a slightly smaller table in the back made it a lot easier to deploy.
SAMBA!

Fri Feb 14, 2014 12:43 pm

nmerrill wrote: One of my most useful favorites...

What's the gauge for? Fridge voltmeter?

Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:56 pm

geo_tonz wrote: 1. Headlight relays! I like a lot of other little tweaks, mods, ad-ons I've puttered with but actually being able to see on a rainy night just trumps them and the bang for the buck/effort is very high.
2. Changing my 89 grill for an 85 with 7" round Ecodes and 100/80W Hella bulbs was also a huge step up. Again, not much scratch (had the donor vehicle) and not tough but great results
3. Replacing Back-up bulbs with LED CREE Q5 lensed bulbs. Cheap, 2 minute job and now I can see backing up! Literal night and day difference, and it looks stock, with no extra light to get in the way or be damaged. Why would you go to the expense, effort and extra power load of installing another light like the GW kit when this is SO stupidly easy and actually reduces the electrical load on the van for $10/pair shipped? Mine are 7W but apparently there are 20w ones out there for ~$25 a pair. Might be too bright!

Can you tell night visibility is important to me?! :lol:

BTW, tried to copy picture locally but something's weird with the gallery...freezing up?

Hey Geo -

Can you post a link to where bought those reverse LED lights? I need me some!

-CJ

Fri Feb 14, 2014 3:22 pm

climberjohn wrote: Can you post a link to where bought those reverse LED lights? I need me some!

People get them off ebay, the information is in here- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=80

Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:00 pm

Yes...Ebay. from some Chinese supplier. Took a while but they showed up. Was going to post the same link too. There are many 1156 base LED bulbs but these have the lense on the end that focuses it straight out the back. The VW lense glows enough for other cars to see the light from the side and know you are backing up but the bulb shoots the bright beam straight back. I can't recall which seller it was. Like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1156-BA15S-7W-CREE-Q5-Car-...9079153%26

1156 BA15S 7W CREE Q5 was what I bought though you might find higher wattage. There's 5W ones too that I avoided 7W was the most I could find at the time.

Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:03 pm

syncrodoka wrote: climberjohn wrote: Can you post a link to where bought those reverse LED lights? I need me some!

People get them off ebay, the information is in here- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=80

syncrodoka,

Thanks for the pronto reply on this! I need a little project . . .

-CJ

Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:44 pm

I've been really happy with these lights...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-50W-Ba15S-1156-Cree-10...mp;vxp=mtr

Fri Feb 14, 2014 5:11 pm

:bay_blue: 8500# winch Gary Lee mount. :D

Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:28 pm

climberjohn wrote: 3. Replacing Back-up bulbs with LED CREE Q5 lensed bulbs.
x4 on this...literally a "night and day" difference, and it takes just minutes.

Left: stock / Right: CREE 7W LED bulb

Other faves: Headlight relays w/big bulbs, center brake light, Wheelskins steering wheel cover.

Fri Feb 14, 2014 10:36 pm

^^^^^^
Impressive. Who sells these? Part number or link please.

Fri Feb 14, 2014 10:54 pm

ThankYouJerry wrote: ^^^^^^
Impressive. Who sells these? Part number or link please.

Look at previous posts in the thread.

Fri Feb 14, 2014 11:20 pm

climberjohn wrote: geo_tonz wrote: 1. Headlight relays! I like a lot of other little tweaks, mods, ad-ons I've puttered with but actually being able to see on a rainy night just trumps them and the bang for the buck/effort is very high.
2. Changing my 89 grill for an 85 with 7" round Ecodes and 100/80W Hella bulbs was also a huge step up. Again, not much scratch (had the donor vehicle) and not tough but great results
3. Replacing Back-up bulbs with LED CREE Q5 lensed bulbs. Cheap, 2 minute job and now I can see backing up! Literal night and day difference, and it looks stock, with no extra light to get in the way or be damaged. Why would you go to the expense, effort and extra power load of installing another light like the GW kit when this is SO stupidly easy and actually reduces the electrical load on the van for $10/pair shipped? Mine are 7W but apparently there are 20w ones out there for ~$25 a pair. Might be too bright!

Can you tell night visibility is important to me?! :lol:

BTW, tried to copy picture locally but something's weird with the gallery...freezing up?

Hey Geo -

Can you post a link to where bought those reverse LED lights? I need me some!

-CJ

I bought a pair of these when they were first pointed out here which was just a few months back...can't remember when for sure, but anyway, one has died on me and I have a buddy (on here) who's had one die as well, just sayin, buyer beware.

they are a very tight fit in the tail light housing. they are brighter, but leave a shadow on the lens because they fit right up agents the tail light lens.

Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:48 am

Crankey wrote:

I bought a pair of these when they were first pointed out here which was just a few months back...can't remember when for sure, but anyway, one has died on me and I have a buddy (on here) who's had one die as well, just sayin, buyer beware.

they are a very tight fit in the tail light housing. they are brighter, but leave a shadow on the lens because they fit right up agents the tail light lens.

Length of service life probably depends on if you end up with some super cheap leds from who knows where (most of the junk sold on Ebay) or a known dependable brand. I did quite a bit of research and found nothing but positive things being said about VLED brand so those are the ones I went with for the family suburban. The 2 negatives about them are they are EXTREMELY BRIGHT and rather pricey at $50 a pair. The bright part is great for me but I'm sure you'd hate me if I was backing out of a parking spot at fred meyer while you were waiting to park. They literally hurt your eyes to look directly at when it's dark out, kinda the same effect as when someone shines a led flashlight in your eyes. They probably put out more light than stock non relayed square vanagon headlights :lol:

Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:39 am

1621 wrote: and the extra rear closet door (thank you Mootpoint). Again, many many others, but these two stand out.

smart use of storage netting.. I like it. :wink: please tell us where you sourced the small ones. Boatees know how to maximize small spaces and I like to think of my Westy like a sailboat of sorts.. well, no sails... and.. well, it doesn't float..OK, OK..but, it is slow moving and underpowered when trying to move upwind, "or uphill" as they say, and she has a tender tiller and a slight weatherhelm in a stiffening breeze on the interstate :-&

Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:25 am

Wellington wrote: nmerrill, awesome, once in a while you see incredible. does it lock in closed position so it doesn't slide out in a corner?

Well, I have (somewhere) a magnetic door catch that I intended to install. I've been using a wood wedge (window shim) for the last few years and it works great. You definitely need something - at least with the drawer slides I used.

Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:26 am

The small pocket inside the closet looks like the map & storage pocket from Bus Depot:
http://www.busdepot.com/j12155

The larger upper unit is the GoWesty Bungee Gear Hammock:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4201&category_id=&category_parent_id=

They also carry a nice gear hammock for the rear seat cabinet kick panel as well:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23823&category_id=&category_parent_id=

Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:32 am

Quote: That's actually a really good idea. I'm installing a 12v fridge in the next few days and I think you just gave me an idea. Any tips on where to find a cut board that size?

I hit up all the local suspects- Kmart, Wallmart, BB&B...

Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:45 am

Quote: What's the gauge for? Fridge voltmeter?

That a water gauge that reads the level from a new sender I installed in the water tank. Then power switches for the Fridge, and hot water system power.
The little block switch is the power for the water level gauge.

Which reminds me - I still need to take that out and paint it!

Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:01 am

Making the inside a "living room", remove middle seat, install jump seat, add a removable box that holds a cooler but also works as a seat when stationary.