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kbeefy Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2006 Posts: 600 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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I really like the syncro dai setup and will do it in the future, probably with something accessible from underneath on the other side. I also have the spare tire area to play with, I somehow need to accommodate a couple golf cart batteries and a 2-3 gallon fuel tank for my heater. _________________ 86 syncro CHC, NorthWesty subbie 2.5, decoupler, locker, custom interior, 225/75r16 Duratrack's on CLK's, Toyo cabin heater, ARB fridge, 300w Zamp Solar, Gowesty bumpers/skid/rails, Fiama awning
'86 Syncro Westy. Stock for now.
2000 F350 7.3 CC LB 11' Northland Cabover
2006 Subbie OBXT
2002 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4
1969 Mustang Basket Case 351c/FMX/9
http://kbeefy.blogspot.com/ |
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MidwestDrifter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012 Posts: 769 Location: Kicking Around Australia
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:23 am Post subject: |
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This seems as good of a place as any to post my in-floor storage compartment. I was inspired by the Syncro Dai setup and decided to duplicate it for my Central America road trip.
I started by measuring the available space under the slider. I noticed that my Westy has 4 studs under the slider, presumable for mounting another propane tank?
Once I had my dimensions worked out, exchanged some technical know-how for a friends material and machine shop. The break I was using is limited to a box depth of around 4" (I managed to get a bit more by cheating) and a total bend with of 48.5" There is more room available under there if you have bigger/better tools.
A couple of hours later and a can of bedliner and we have this box.
A thick coating of bedliner hides a multitude of crappy welds.
I test fit the box using the studs to mount the box. I marked where my cuts would be. This is pretty logical as there is a nice level area where the slider track starts, and the inboard limit is the frame rail.
I used a jig saw with a metal cutting blade, which made quick work of the floor.
The compartment extends under the rear bench, but the door stops about an inch from the from the seat.
Now we must consider the lid. I ended up using the removed floor section. A piece of good quality plywood could be made to work well.
The removed floor material is not very stiff laterally, so I welded a brace one (didn't work out as well as I hoped). I also bolted some 1"x0.125" bar stock under the floor edges to support the door/lid.
After cleaning, coating and moutning. I used some 1/2" weatherstripping and polyurethane adhesive to seal the join between the box and floor. three hinges are mounted into the floor grooves. A piano hinge could probably be made to work.
I also hinged the flooring to allow easy access. It just barely clears the seat lip. The fire extinguisher had to be moved.
Almost invisible, great for smuggling contraband like fruits and vegetables.
The box is nearly invisible from outside the van. It hangs down almost a full inch less than the fuel tank, so no clearance is lost. I would feel comfortable adding another inch, but I do not do off-roading. _________________ 2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215 |
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ratherb-buggin Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Shawnee, KS
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:29 am Post subject: |
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Get your smuggle on!! I like it!! I think it would be great for tools or spare parts... or a few pounds of weed! lol |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:25 am Post subject: |
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or an easy access beer cooler _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6245 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:44 am Post subject: |
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You could make it even more stealth by not hinging the wood floor and just having a lift out section. Nicely done. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2002 Posts: 12785 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:50 am Post subject: |
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LOL @ "Contraband = Fruits and Veggies" _________________ It's just advice, do whatever you want with it!
Please do NOT send me Private Messages through the Samba PM System (I will not see them). Send me an e-mail to john at aircooled dot net
"Like" our Facebook page at
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and get a 5% off code for use on one order for VW Parts ON OUR PARTS STORE WEBSITE, vwparts.aircooled.net |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16503 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1111 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:57 am Post subject: |
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So, the box mounts up from underneath and is not set in from above (i.e. not dropped in and resting/supported on the lip of the box)? _________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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MidwestDrifter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012 Posts: 769 Location: Kicking Around Australia
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Syncronoid wrote: |
So, the box mounts up from underneath and is not set in from above (i.e. not dropped in and resting/supported on the lip of the box)? |
Correct. The box slides in from below and the studs go through the flanges. It is very securely mounted. The box itself is 16 gauge hot rolled steel. It took three guys to bend it on a hand break.
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LOL @ "Contraband = Fruits and Veggies" |
You laugh. But most border crossings limit, or don't allow many foodstuffs. While many don't bother to check if you say you don't have any. It can be expensive to throw out a couple hundred $$ of food every time you need to cross a border...
On a side note, I think mexico has decriminalized small amounts of most drugs...
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X2. I would get rid of the hinges. Makes it too obvious that there is something to look for under the floor. |
I considered hiding the hinges. Right now the screw heads and barrels of the hinges are visible. I have a large floor mat that covers most of the floor. It is inconspicuous enough, for now at least
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or an easy access beer cooler |
Not a bad idea , It wouldnt be to hard to add a layer of insulation, and 12oz cans fit upright with no problem... I am thinking at least 30 cans... maybe more... _________________ 2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215 |
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kbeefy Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2006 Posts: 600 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:29 am Post subject: |
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nice! _________________ 86 syncro CHC, NorthWesty subbie 2.5, decoupler, locker, custom interior, 225/75r16 Duratrack's on CLK's, Toyo cabin heater, ARB fridge, 300w Zamp Solar, Gowesty bumpers/skid/rails, Fiama awning
'86 Syncro Westy. Stock for now.
2000 F350 7.3 CC LB 11' Northland Cabover
2006 Subbie OBXT
2002 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4
1969 Mustang Basket Case 351c/FMX/9
http://kbeefy.blogspot.com/ |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:37 am Post subject: |
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If you had cross-braked the bottom you would have gained a surprising amount of rigidity in the bottom.
Looks good. |
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MidwestDrifter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012 Posts: 769 Location: Kicking Around Australia
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:42 am Post subject: |
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syncrodoka wrote: |
If you had cross-braked the bottom you would have gained a surprising amount of rigidity in the bottom.
Looks good. |
I thought about it, but due to time constraints I couldn't remove the foam and fatmat for some serious welding. Also I wanted to avoid having a lot of bracing that intruded into the compartment. Next time the van is down for maintenance, I will probably replace the lid with a piece of 1/2" plywood. _________________ 2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215 |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:49 am Post subject: |
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Sorry, i was talking about the pan that you made not the lid.
16 ga. is strong but if it was cross broke it adds rigidity. |
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MidwestDrifter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012 Posts: 769 Location: Kicking Around Australia
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:52 am Post subject: |
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syncrodoka wrote: |
Sorry, i was talking about the pan that you made not the lid. |
Ya I see that now, my bad actually. Thought braked was a misspell of brace.
You are totally correct. Adding an X shape brace/bend would have helped a lot. The bottom is still rather stiff. Minimal flex even with me standing in it.
If a lighter gauge like 18 was used, a stiffening method would probably be a requirement. _________________ 2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215 |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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MidwestDrifter wrote: |
You laugh. But most border crossings limit, or don't allow many foodstuffs. While many don't bother to check if you say you don't have any. It can be expensive to throw out a couple hundred $$ of food every time you need to cross a border... |
If you take the hinges off or otherwise "hide" the compartment, you could arguably be looking at having your vehicle seized if as a smuggling vehicle if you cross the border. On the US federal law side, it's usually hidden compartments or extra fuel bladders (more often in the plane or boat cases) that can get you in trouble. Some states have similar laws--and seizures-- for vehicles with hidden compartments.
That being said, there's a pretty good argument that those compartments aren't hidden because you could clearly see it from below (as opposed to the old false elevated floor in a pickup truck trick which isn't visible from above or below and must be cut open to get out the contraband or the sometimes cleverly hidden compartments between the b and c pillars of cars).
Declaring the compartments-- after all "expedition" or camping vehicles are expected to have extra storage-- might also minimize your exposure. _________________ Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub
RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf |
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Phishman068 Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 1867 Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1111 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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nemobuscaptain wrote: |
While your are at it, why not just cover the bottom of the van between the frame and use the frame and the floor of the bus to be the other three "walls" of the cargo box? |
After looking under my Syncro, while I like the idea, I think that would require a bit more effort to close/seal the storage compartment from the elements. The contours of the bottom area that would need to be sealed are not straightforward. _________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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MidwestDrifter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012 Posts: 769 Location: Kicking Around Australia
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Phishman068 wrote: |
What are the rough dimensions of the box, excluding the narrowed/tapered section. I'd like to know what kind of Square Footage is available.
Thanks! |
My box is 48.5" by 10.375" by 5.25" deep. The offset created by the nuts welded onto the frame that the studs/bolts go through is about half an inch, so total depth is around 5.75"
The opening is smaller at 39.5x9.8"
The rough volume is around 1.3 Cubic feet. However if you have better tools and more time than I do, you could make it bigger. The length could have another 5 inches, and reversing the direction of the mounting flanges would add 1.5" to the width. Likewise depth could be increased by an inch without loosing any overall clearance. (would be below frame rails, but above gas tank.
Increasing the dimensions as above would make the volume around 2 cubic ft.
Here is a shot of what I currently have in my compartment.
Major items include, a medium sized toolbox, my Mary Kay tool bag (don't ask), jack, hammer, torque wrench small drill, mini grease gun, and some spare parts.
Since the compartment bolts up against the frame rail (on the inboard side, the outboard side floor is flat), it is necessary to seal the area where the floor corrugations? meets the rail. I used wood blocks with sealant.
Edit: A member requested some dimensions, I made a quick diagram for those interested.
A + indicates where the box could be increased in size. The increases in dimensions assume the removal or reversing (bent inside instead of outside) of the mounting flanges on the edges that are extended. For example in order to get maximum volume the flanges on A, C, and D would need to be removed or bent inwards. My flanges are around 3/4 of an inch in width.
_________________ 2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215 |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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