TheSamba.com :: View topic - missing door sill piece on 85 Westy Camper?

Sun Aug 17, 2025 10:29 am

Hello all,

I have an 85 Westy full camper that appears to be missing part of the door sill for the sliding door. There is a white plastic trim piece that covers a portion of the sliding door sill but there is an exposed galvanized steel step between the sill and the carpet that seems like it should be covered by trim. I've tried searching for sill pieces but I am having a hard time finding a part that looks like it will cover this and hold down the edge of the carpet.
Can someone show me what this is supposed to look like and what part I need to cover the exposed metal?

Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:56 am

If I recall, it's just a galvanized L strip with a few screws. I replace mine with a door edge strip I got from Lowes.

Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:58 am

There this from the UK. https://nlavw.com/home/390-westfalia-aluminium-car...nqHC9N8jXd

Google this and you'll find them. Westfalia Aluminium Carpet Floor Joining Trim for Sliding Door

Sun Aug 17, 2025 12:07 pm

That's exactly what my '85 Westy looks like. I have the mats from GoWesty (which are amazing), so they come further to the edge. I never understand how anyone can keep carpet in that space from getting trashed.

Sun Aug 17, 2025 1:44 pm

The good news is that bare galvanized steel looks new forever.

The push bar and hardware for your pop top may also just be bare metal - later ones were painted or powder coated.

Like the round headlights, I think these more basic elements reflect the design heritage of the T3 as it transitioned from bus to van.

Sun Aug 17, 2025 2:29 pm

Crooked Designer wrote: That's exactly what my '85 Westy looks like.

Those pictures are very helpful! I didn't realize that the metal was exposed that way from the factory - looks a bit unfinished. A rubber mat sounds like a good idea!

Sun Aug 17, 2025 2:30 pm

Ahwahnee wrote: The good news is that bare galvanized steel looks new forever.

The push bar and hardware for your pop top may also just be bare metal - later ones were painted or powder coated.

Like the round headlights, I think these more basic elements reflect the design heritage of the T3 as it transitioned from bus to van.

My push bar and pop top hardware is brown - same color as the trim on the cabinets.

Sun Aug 17, 2025 2:32 pm

Andymon wrote: There this from the UK. https://nlavw.com/home/390-westfalia-aluminium-car...nqHC9N8jXd

Google this and you'll find them. Westfalia Aluminium Carpet Floor Joining Trim for Sliding Door

Thanks for the link, but that site mentions the sill is for T2 busses?

Sun Aug 17, 2025 4:31 pm

Crooked Designer wrote: I never understand how anyone can keep carpet in that space from getting trashed.[/img]

It probably gives my feet cancer every time I walk on it but the original carpet cleans up amazingly well and keeps my bare feet oh so cozy.

I used to think a wood floor or similar was a “must do”, but no, they got that carpet right from the factory.

And you can drag it outta the van to act as a cushy ground pad for star gazing. Hell, anyone wanna sell me your original Westy carpet?

Sun Aug 17, 2025 5:53 pm

mightyohm wrote: Andymon wrote: There this from the UK. https://nlavw.com/home/390-westfalia-aluminium-car...nqHC9N8jXd

Google this and you'll find them. Westfalia Aluminium Carpet Floor Joining Trim for Sliding Door

Thanks for the link, but that site mentions the sill is for T2 busses?

Ah, missed that but you could just use some metal L trim like this.https://www.amazon.com/LXLZYXSF-Molding-Doorway-Non-Slip-Surface/dp/B0BYXF7HJ7

I did that and it looks great. You can get some with countersunk holes and I'm going to change to one of those.

Sun Aug 17, 2025 6:54 pm

Ditto above! my 82 westy has this L shaped trim piece as well. Hayden