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Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below
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MidwestDrifter
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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climberjohn
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Thoughts?
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Steelhead
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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.

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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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vanagonjr
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Phishman068
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think that amo box is a wonderful option. I have 3 smaller (5.57mm) ammo boxes full of spare parts ratchet strapped above my front skid plate.
The goal, is to not need to open them but to have them when I need them. Ya, it's not as easy as reaching under the back seat to grab the part you need....
But it sure is nice having a bunch of spares weather tight and out of the way!
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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.



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[email protected]
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SIDE GIG!

How much for them to make 100 of them? Wink
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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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).
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Hole cut....
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Temporary support...
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Nuts welded to the undercarriage requiring cut-outs in the steel box flange...
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Slots cut in box to account for welded bolts on undercarriage....
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Bolted into position for final mockup before sealing process begins....
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Side view profile of box protruding from undercarriage, barely noticeable....

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Ground view of box clearance....
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.




....waiting for quote and apt. from/at Linex of Silicon Valley to coat underside of box.
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Last edited by Syncronoid on Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:01 am; edited 2 times in total
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Wellington
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 3:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

perfect spot for the rifle.
Curios to see the cover/floor finish
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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

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chimivee
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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madspaniard
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking great.

I think I'm missing details on how exactly you attached the box to the undercarriage.
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syncrodoka
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Syncronoid
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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syncrodoka
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with 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.
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PDXWesty
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Bntbrl
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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