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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 6:58 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? |
It isn't a bad idea, but the frame rails have oval cutouts on the bottom, it would take some work to get a good seal. It would be doable tho. _________________ 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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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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I think I'll try one of these:
Google < 120MM mortar ammo can >
Dimensions: 12" x 32 " by 61/4"
I just measured, and it appear as if it'll fit.
Thoughts? _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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Steelhead Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Kentfield, CA
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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climberjohn wrote: |
I think I'll try one of these:
Google < 120MM mortar ammo can >
Dimensions: 12" x 32 " by 61/4"
I just measured, and it appear as if it'll fit.
Thoughts? |
I've been considering this for a while, but haven't settled on ideal solution for securing it. Done right it would be accessible in place, or could be dropped to get easier access to things deep in the can. I think I just need to buy one and start messing with it. Some sort of ratchet-strap set up could work, though I like the idea of welding tabs on one side that slot into the frame rail (or something bolted/welded to frame rail)and then two hook clamps that lock it up/in. Nice to have a deep stash for rarely used tools, tow straps, and parts that (hopefully) never need to see the light of day.
_________________ '77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1110 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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If anyone was wondering what it might cost to have a steel box made like MidwestDrifter's, I measured up some plans very similar (but larger and with the flanges facing inward) and got a quote from a local sheet metal fabricator for $184. Seeing as I have no access to those types of materials, tools and machinery, that seemed like a fair price. I figured around $200. _________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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vanagonjr Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010 Posts: 3425 Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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climberjohn wrote: |
Google < 120MM mortar ammo can >
Dimensions: 12" x 32 " by 61/4"
I just measured, and it appear as if it'll fit.
Thoughts? |
Pretty cool size! Just wish it opened on the long side. I guess you would have to remove it from the van and dump out the (deep) contents. Still intriguing.
Maybe two smaller ones might be easier to handle if filled with heavy items like tools, alternator, etc. _________________ John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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Phishman068 Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 1866 Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1110 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a little side thread I started to figure out how I'm going to make the cut in the metal floor AND the vinyl/wood flooring in my Westy without taking out the bench seat and cabinets.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=551000 _________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1110 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:19 am Post subject: |
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Got the box back for the fab shop today. Measurements look spot on. Getting to work now, hope to have it completed before Syncrofest on Friday.
_________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2002 Posts: 12785 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:34 am Post subject: |
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SIDE GIG!
How much for them to make 100 of them? _________________ 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
http://www.facebook.com/vwpartsaircoolednet
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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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1110 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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Got the initial effort of installation done today. Here are some pics....
Pilot holes drilled, lines traced in red (sorry for the poor photo, sun was blinding).
Hole cut....
Temporary support...
Nuts welded to the undercarriage requiring cut-outs in the steel box flange...
Slots cut in box to account for welded bolts on undercarriage....
Bolted into position for final mockup before sealing process begins....
Side view profile of box protruding from undercarriage, barely noticeable....
Ground view of box clearance....
....waiting for quote and apt. from/at Linex of Silicon Valley to coat underside of box. _________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L
Last edited by Syncronoid on Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:01 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Wellington Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 1882 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 3:28 am Post subject: |
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perfect spot for the rifle.
Curios to see the cover/floor finish |
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1110 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:05 am Post subject: |
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I'm probably going to just cut out a thick piece of plywood for the short term (for Syncrofest) while I stare and contemplate a design for the final closure mechanism. The Metal fab guy said he would make me a lid at no charge, even weld some hinges on if I decide to got that route.
Wellington wrote: |
perfect spot for the rifle.
Curios to see the cover/floor finish |
_________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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chimivee Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2009 Posts: 741 Location: Orange, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:43 am Post subject: |
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Syncronoid wrote: |
Got the box back for the fab shop today. Measurements look spot on. |
Looks great. What were your final dimensions? Anything you would change? _________________ -James
86 Syncro Westy, etc |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:05 am Post subject: |
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Looking great.
I think I'm missing details on how exactly you attached the box to the undercarriage. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:09 am Post subject: |
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I have heard that the under van style have issues sealing out the dust. Putting a outside flange and dropping it down from the inside and welding it in place like Dai would solve that issue. That is the design style that i am making. |
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Bntbrl Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2012 Posts: 436 Location: Seattle, Wa
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:27 am Post subject: |
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Even bolting it from the inside down and using thycol, aka dumdum or a similar sealer would work. Really wouldnt have to be welded so those without a welder could do something like this.
Dropping in from the top would make it stronger and neater. A piano hinged door flap would be nice for the door.
I never heard anything about the secret compartments thing being illegal. With the way we are losing our right in the name of safety it doesn't really surprise me though. _________________ 1984 Vanagon Westfalia 1.9 wbx
www.DIYSeattle.com |
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Syncronoid Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012 Posts: 1110 Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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HA! My Linex guy quoted me $295 to spray just the outside of the box! Joke! No taping. No sanding (do it myself). A 30-second job on the tail end of someone else's. I told him I'll go the aerosol route. _________________ '90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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Bntbrl wrote: |
Even bolting it from the inside down and using thycol, aka dumdum or a similar sealer would work. |
The floor of the van isn't flat, that is where one of the issues arise. |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe it's just me, but after looking at those pictures, doesn't it seem like you're taking a lot of the structural inegrity out of the van floor? You're cutting a long slot perpendicular to the ribbing of the sheet metal that spans between the frame rails. Will you lose stiffness in the unibody? I liked it at first but now it looks kind of odd seeing a big hole there. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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Bntbrl Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2012 Posts: 436 Location: Seattle, Wa
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Bntbrl wrote:
Even bolting it from the inside down and using thycol, aka dumdum or a similar sealer would work.
The floor of the van isn't flat, that is where one of the issues arise. |
Thycol comes in various sizes, even if that doesn't work a tube of seam sealer, even cookie dough bag would seal it. Those sealers are already in use throughout the rest of the bus. The seam sealer would be harder to remove if you wanted to take the box back off but not sure why you'd need to really.
As far as structurally I'd think the box being put in where the floor was removed would be close to enough. Provided it was bolted in enough. Or use metal adhesive and bolts. The adhesive would only hold the high points but it'd be better than just 4 bolts. _________________ 1984 Vanagon Westfalia 1.9 wbx
www.DIYSeattle.com |
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