Mount retrofit console to floor?

[Vndlfsn]

What would be the best way to permanently mount something to the floor between the seats on my 1997 EVC?

Rivnuts? Sheet metal screws?

Anybody out there ever tried doing anything similar?

[obnoxiousblue]

I haven’t seen anything, but drilling through the floor there might not be wise. There are coolant lines that run to the secondary heater core, not to mention the fuel tank under the seats.
Have you considered something that might be able to be secured using the existing seat mounting bolts on each side of the walk through?
_________________
Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper

[mikemtnbike]

Honestly, I'd just use heavy duty velcro and call that good enough.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[HeyCrutch]

Agree with Mike - when I first got my '97 EVC, at first I thought it seemed like it was really calling for a console between the two front seats - an oversight by VW.

Then I discovered just how often my partner and I travel through that very tight pathway to the back of the van, Han Solo-style. So we keep the aisle nice and clear.

A permanent solution would also prevent the passenger seat from swiveling - which for us is a must.

[bigfoot_ev]

I think heavy duty velcro could work well but you need to consider the weight of everything combined, the console plus what you put in it. I'm guessing you would put the hook part on the bottom of the console and have it grip the carpet.

When I was trying to figure out what to do I contemplated running a thin metal bar between the seats. It would be thin enough to slip under each seat base but strong enough to hold the console during an accident. A bolted down seat base would secure the bar. I don't know about the EVC seats but 1/8" would work with Weekender seat bases. I would put a bolt into the bar facing up and set the console on the bolt. Now don't follow my next steps, which was to do nothing, at least until I completely redid my console and now it's bolted to a seat base.

[OB Bus]

We do not use the passageway to the back. We travel with our two dogs and have a fence to keep the in the back.
Gravity is just fine for keeping a console in place. We used the "Rampage" console with two good drink holders from Amazon. Works fine.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[02Berry]

[kourt]

I think the floor under the carpet is sheet metal.

I have had very good luck with these rare earth magnet sets. They are extremely useful in these situations.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8C4N43

The 110 lb magnets would likely be best. Screw a few to the bottom of the console and see if it helps it stay put on the floor to your liking.

Another way to do this: the seat bases on the EVC are steel, and I've used these magnets, mounted on the back of a utility brush, to keep the brush handy behind the passenger seat. You can see the brush in the photo below.

kourt

[OB Bus]