Author |
Message |
The Salt Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2010 Posts: 221 Location: Salt Lake
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 10:49 am Post subject: Vanagon gadgets, tips, mods and tricks. |
|
|
I searched and didn't find anything... a bunch of close threads however. I saw a similar thread in the bay window forum.
Post up your favorite mods and gadgets that make Vanagon living fun!
Here is one I lifted from the other forum.
_________________ 88 Wolfsburg Edition Weekender |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
The Salt Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2010 Posts: 221 Location: Salt Lake
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 10:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
I want to mount this up too... Any suggestions??
_________________ 88 Wolfsburg Edition Weekender |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
syncrodoka Samba Member

Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11950 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Popsvan Samba Member

Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 112 Location: Louisa, VA
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 11:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
What kind of bracket is that? looks great though!
thanks
Rory |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Timwhy Samba Member

Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3973 Location: Maine
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
The Salt Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2010 Posts: 221 Location: Salt Lake
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Movable magnetic hooks!
I took a cue from the other posts too.
One for every corner of the Van! Thanks for the tips! _________________ 88 Wolfsburg Edition Weekender |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
The Salt Samba Member

Joined: April 27, 2010 Posts: 221 Location: Salt Lake
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 5:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Popsvan wrote: |
What kind of bracket is that? looks great though!
thanks
Rory |
Harbor Freight $1.99  _________________ 88 Wolfsburg Edition Weekender |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
krusovice Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2008 Posts: 125 Location: Duluth, MN
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 5:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I recently discovered that the ashtray makes a great iPhone holder. Just open the flap and set it in landscape mode. The cigarette rest holds the phone just right.
If I had the right kind of stereo, I'd run the cables up through the dash. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ANGOVAY Samba Member

Joined: November 02, 2009 Posts: 85 Location: SMF
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 5:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The Salt wrote: |
I want to mount this up too... Any suggestions??
|
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/649965.jpg
Not my idea, I took it off from an older post. Below the seat close to the door. _________________ Mark
90 Westy 1.8T Sold
2016 Sprinter Field Van |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ddonnell Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Sunset Beach
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 6:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The Salt wrote: |
I want to mount this up too... Any suggestions??
|
I have a bottle opener with horizontal holes. Mounted on the rear tow bar. _________________ 1990 Vanagon Carat-SOLD
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 V10
1966 Baja "The Beast"
instagram #bajabugproject |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
1621 Samba Member

Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 6:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ANGOVAY wrote: |
Not my idea, I took it off from an older post. Below the seat close to the door. |
Very convenient location for a bottle opener. I also have a smaller 28qt Coleman cooler that travels against the back bench (hence the hooks on either ends for Rok-straps) that lives beside the bottle opener. Another benefit to the smaller cooler is it fits perfectly under the cantilevered end of the bed and provides support when sitting on the edge of the bed. The cooler happens to fit perfectly under the van as well, though YMMV.
_________________ '85 Westy |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
kamzcab86 Samba Moderator

Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7808 Location: Arizona
|
Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 8:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I made a couple of those lantern/towel/flag holders too; I painted them blue to blend in with the van (no pic yet).
I've got magnetic hooks and clips (found at Ace and office supply stores) in the kitchen to hold towels, potholders, etc.
Fuzzy pads were placed along the front edge of the stove cover to eliminate its rattle and squeak (towels on the stove helped quiet the drain tray). Round fuzzy pads were cut in half and placed around the edge of the drawer to eliminate its squeaks.
Front table is stored by strapping it to the rear table.
Rear table leg now resides in a plastic pipe sleeve. Rear table moves MUCH easier now.
Battery-powered LED lights, magnetic and hanging versions, are used for the tent and front dining room.
Small, square electric heater is used for cold nights/mornings when AC power is available.
Collapsible 5 gallon jug is used for gray water containment. On/off valve added to the gray water drain.
I outlined the arrows and letters on the OEM faucet in silver so they can actually be read.
Collapsible 6' ladder for "master suite" access and to reach the top of the roof outside, if need be (less than half the cost of GoWesty's ladder too!).
Everything else I've done/made so far (and future additions) can be found at Old Blue's Blog.  _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Timwhy Samba Member

Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3973 Location: Maine
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10058 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 7:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
For you DIY'ers who have uses for strong magnets for sticking up screens and shades and whatever, but don't want to have to pick your own one by one out of salvage hardrives, these guys are an excellent resource:
http://www.forcefieldmagnets.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23_37
I've ordered lots of Neodymium-boron magnets from them, small magnets that stick stronger than you can even believe. It's nice to support a small business and a bunch of guys living up in the mountains doing very cool stuff. Check out their wind-machines, build-your-own alternators, solar power systems, and other neat stuff at their linked sites like otherpower.com. Fun! _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
speedygeorge Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2009 Posts: 232 Location: Victoria, BC
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 7:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
[quote="kamzcab86"]
Collapsible 6' ladder for "master suite" access and to reach the top of the roof outside, if need be (less than half the cost of GoWesty's ladder too!).
Any pics of ladder |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
climberjohn Samba Member

Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
thewump Samba Member

Joined: June 15, 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Denver
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 8:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
How about this internal plumbing item I picked up in Mexico, perfect when nature calls in the middle of the night.
K _________________ 87 Weekender |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
PDXWesty Samba Member

Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6194 Location: Portland OR
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 8:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
The Salt wrote: |
Popsvan wrote: |
What kind of bracket is that? looks great though!
thanks
Rory |
Harbor Freight $1.99  |
Link? _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
thewump Samba Member

Joined: June 15, 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Denver
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 9:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
PDXWesty wrote: |
The Salt wrote: |
Popsvan wrote: |
What kind of bracket is that? looks great though!
thanks
Rory |
Harbor Freight $1.99  |
Link? |
They have the same ones in home depot too. I screwed two behind the passenger seat on the flat top of the battery compartment. A bungee chord is all you need for very flexible use including keeping a cooler from rolling around the cabin.
K _________________ 87 Weekender |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
PDXWesty Samba Member

Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6194 Location: Portland OR
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 9:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
I was referring to the PVC brackets. Are they pre-made or just standard tees with a slot cut n them? _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|