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Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:11 pm

I like all the gadgets and accessories for the bus. Ez Gruv's outside the bus table is a great idea, the tiki torch holders are cool, and even the pantograph rear window wiper is good (If you live where it rains). Here are a couple, I made this week, to make camping a little easier:

We get things out of this compartment mostly here, through the top. I usually use my shoulder, no more!

This hanger is also good to dry out towels and is easy to make.
Two sprinkler parts:

Just cut a couple notches and screw together.

I'd like to see what other "gadgets" have been made.

"Stay Air-Cooled my friends"

Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:45 pm

I don't remember if 1973 Westies have them, but 76-79 Westies have the seat bottom hold-up when open factory installed. It is on the left side hinge. It swings down and rests on the round thing when you are not using it. Up, it rests against the rubber stop on the lower right screw.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:47 pm

Opossum wrote:

My bus has one of these stock. Its on the left hand side of the seat.

Edit: Karl to the rescue with a photo!

Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:48 pm

Karl wrote: I don't remember if 1973 Westies have them, but 76-79 Westies have the seat bottom hold-up when open factory installed. It is on the left side hinge. It swings down and rests on the round thing when you are not using it. Up, it rests against the rubber stop on the lower right screw.

I was going to mention the hold-up brace. I like the hanger deal though. That was ingenious.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:06 pm

Karl wrote: I don't remember if 1973 Westies have them, but 76-79 Westies have the seat bottom hold-up when open factory installed. It is on the left side hinge. It swings down and rests on the round thing when you are not using it. Up, it rests against the rubber stop on the lower right screw.

My 74 has something like that Karl...complete with the rubber stopper thingy.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:41 pm

I'll be danged. All this time and I never noticed the hold up bracket. I just went out to the garage and checked it, but it only holds the seat up a little. Mostly the seat wants to fold into a bed when resting on the brace.

I think the lantern hanger is freaking cool.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:51 pm

Here is a set of homemade awning brackets that use regular tent poles, the brackets slide into the jack points and when the awning is taunt enough just snug down the cap screws. It isn't a huge awning but it does the job and is easy to set up.

Phil

Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:52 pm

WendyArmbuster wrote:
I think the lantern hanger is freaking cool.

Me too! And it should be easy enough to fabricate!

Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:29 pm

that gutter thing is up next on my list of thingies to build.
and an awning based off the jack points... that gives me reason to weld mine back together!

Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:05 pm

WendyArmbuster wrote: I'll be danged. All this time and I never noticed the hold up bracket. I just went out to the garage and checked it, but it only holds the seat up a little. Mostly the seat wants to fold into a bed when resting on the brace.

What is wrong with yours? I took the picture with it holding the seat up farther then his wood piece. There is a built-in ratchet to keep the seat from going into a bed.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:54 pm

Not wanting to burst anyone bubble, but that bracket for the lantern looks way to flimsy to me, especially if someone where to smack it as they passed. The plastic extending over the lantern isn't so cool either, as gas lanterns get damn hot. Buy a battery operated light if you want to use it or stick with just using it for the flag, we don't want to see a thread about your bus burning.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:53 pm

Karl and EZ gruv, thank you. I had to go out and look . My bus does not have the hold for the bed, I guess after 1973, VW figured it was needed.

The gutter hanger does not have to be for a gas lantern, if you do not feel it is safe. I know that it is safe cause I bumped it from every direction. Like you said you can use it for battery operated lanterns. It has many other uses; my wife and I will mostly use them for drying out towels.

"Stay Air-Cooled my friends"

Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:04 pm

how long is that gray piece of pipe?

Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:08 pm

Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:15 pm

thanks

Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:11 am

Here's the lantern holder I rigged up. Works great!

Here it is in the stowed configuration. The boom is a solid 1/2" x 3/4" aluminum bar, which just happens to fit perfectly inside the rectangular cross-section Thule rack. The pin holds it in place. The eye and the end of the bar is for clipping on a pulley, and another pulley clips onto the little flat-bar-eye that is mounted to the roof just forward of the rack.

and here deployed:

It ties off at a small cleat mounted to the pillar.

Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:20 am

Opossum wrote:
Ya know...all this time of holding the seat up with my back/shoulder it never crossed my mind to put something in there to hold the seat up!! ](*,) That would be perfect on my '71....thanks for saving my back!!

Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:18 am

whip618 wrote: Here is a set of homemade awning brackets that use regular tent poles, the brackets slide into the jack points and when the awning is taunt enough just snug down the cap screws. It isn't a huge awning but it does the job and is easy to set up.

Phil
that looks handy as hell,did you use pre existing parts off something or make em in a machine shop Phil?
Great ideas in this thread!

Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:42 am

holy crap I love that lantern idea!!!!!!

Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:48 am

Opossum - Great idea and thanks. Getting sick and tired of smackin my head while climbing into the seat storage space.

Also - will be creating one of these lantern arms.

Nice job.