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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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geo_tonz Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2012 Posts: 1472 Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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I really don't like how the gear selector display is completely blocked on the auto version. I can count and go by feel but makes it tough for anyone not so familiar. Without the whiskers you could lean over and see but it seems awkward/unsafe to me.
Looks good for a standard tranny though as you are going by feel anyhow and not blocking a shift indicator. _________________ ---------------------------------------------------
"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper |
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luVWagn Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008 Posts: 1340 Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6798 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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Something to get in the way of my big feet as I go from the front to the back! |
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human compass Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2013 Posts: 415 Location: Flagstaff,AZ
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Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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I actually like it. I'ld love to hear real world experience, especially for the manual version |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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dachary Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2013 Posts: 130 Location: Boston
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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:07 am Post subject: |
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We bought the manual version from GoWesty a while ago - it actually took about 6 weeks for it to get here. It's well-made, and it sits beautifully in the van... but unfortunately our manual shifter has WAY too much travel to use the console with it.
I've been trying to figure out how to deal with it since we spent so much on the console and we think it's a million times better than the cheap Wal-Mart plastic dealie sitting on the floor that we're constantly kicking and is too far away to easily reach our drinks in. My current theory is that we've got a mismatched shifter and shifter mount - we've got the angle mount *and* a shifter that has a bend in it. In second gear, the shifter is against the side of the knee, and to get into reverse, we actually have to put the shifter in front of the right knee.
I'm trying to figure out now whether we can safely just bend the shifter, and if so, what's the best way to do it. As soon as we figure that out we'll install the console.
IMO, it's far superior to a console that sits in the middle. Much easier to step through into the back. My trick is to lift your feet up and over to swing around to the middle between the seats, and step through from there. If I tried to step directly through without lifting feet over the seat, I'd probably kick it a lot. _________________ '82 Diesel Westy w/Adventurewagen High Top |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:13 am Post subject: |
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wow that is weird with the shifter situation... yea.. i'd try to figure out a way to get that lined out as well...
the complaints ive seen about the automatic version which is what i bought is not having the visual confirmation that its in D and not in not in 2.... Ill prolly just drop a marker of some sort on the console so I know Im in D for sure...
I cant wait til it gets here but yea im expecting the worst just in case. 6 weeks. _________________ Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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hyperlite2 Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Los Osos, CA
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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:42 am Post subject: |
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I actually won the manual version at syncrofest 2013. I love mine and it looks like they added a light to it which is pretty cool. I can't imagine not having it now that I've been riding around with it for almost a year. |
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paparhino Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Sacramento, Ca
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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A few things for everybody to know. I designed and personally build the consoles. The shift area on a few that have been sent out was too small because the throw on their shifter was to loose. After adjustment it was fine. If you put in new seal and guides the shift throw is reduced. If I had gone bigger with the area it would have made cup holders useless. The brushes on the automatic were not put on by me, that was a Van Cafe modification. I wasn't completely happy with my first configuration on the automatic, so I have narrowed the gap down and included vinyl stickers for the customer to apply after install. I would love to put in led or dimensional letters but it would be cost prohibitive. Well, unless ya'all want to pay more! So far there are 54 out there on the road from Canada, to Alaska, to Hawaii. The only complaints so far were the shift area, the PRNDL markings, and one of the led motion controlled light was faulty. Another question was install hardware. It is bolted down with 2, either through bolts through the floor, or self tapping screws into the deck. I don't provide them because it depends on how they are to be installed. Louis Warfield at Rhino Design Studio. |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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paparhino wrote: |
A few things for everybody to know. I designed and personally build the consoles. The shift area on a few that have been sent out was too small because the throw on their shifter was to loose. After adjustment it was fine. If you put in new seal and guides the shift throw is reduced. If I had gone bigger with the area it would have made cup holders useless. The brushes on the automatic were not put on by me, that was a Van Cafe modification. I wasn't completely happy with my first configuration on the automatic, so I have narrowed the gap down and included vinyl stickers for the customer to apply after install. I would love to put in led or dimensional letters but it would be cost prohibitive. Well, unless ya'all want to pay more! So far there are 54 out there on the road from Canada, to Alaska, to Hawaii. The only complaints so far were the shift area, the PRNDL markings, and one of the led motion controlled light was faulty. Another question was install hardware. It is bolted down with 2, either through bolts through the floor, or self tapping screws into the deck. I don't provide them because it depends on how they are to be installed. Louis Warfield at Rhino Design Studio. |
Very good to know.. I currently have one on order and can't wait to see it in person. I'm glad to hear about the vinyl stickers that are included. I've been looking for a set online to do just that. Good to know I don't need to get them myself. _________________ Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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devesvws Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 1540 Location: madison va
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:48 am Post subject: |
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I ordered the console while GoWesty had their 15% off sale during St Pattys day and i cashed in a bunch of my GoBucks as well. It took exactly 4 weeks to get to my door from the day it was ordered. not bad at all... i actually got it a lot quicker than i anticipated.
Louis Warfield from Rhino Design Studio that makes these spec to order called and told me I'd be getting one of the newer revisions of the console. I has a much narrower channel for the shaft of the gear shift AND it has laser cut white gear indicators mounted to the top.
The lettering was something i intended to add myself somehow but its VERY NICE to have them already included. I really like it
_________________ Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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kuleinc Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2007 Posts: 1604 Location: East Bay Area, California
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:16 am Post subject: |
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Question for Houston Photog, how is the console attached at the floor? I'm thinking I'd go with one, but not sure I want to attach it through my rubber aisle mat. Looks fantastic in your van! _________________ '85 Westy |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:15 am Post subject: |
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kuleinc wrote: |
People think my van is clean, your van makes mine look nasty! Console looks great! |
Whats funny is I JUST finally cleaned the floor and mats after owning my Westy for 8 months, I just never took the time to clean it. I till wanna shampoo/clean the carpets/seats.
1621 wrote: |
Question for Houston Photog, how is the console attached at the floor? I'm thinking I'd go with one, but not sure I want to attach it through my rubber aisle mat. Looks fantastic in your van! |
I dont have pics of this yet but inside theres a little floor where the sliding drawer rests on. on this floor there are two larger (1/2" dia maybe) countersunk areas with a hole in order to add your own screws to mount to the van floor. I will mount it to the floor and through the aisle mat. the aisle mat floor i have is very robust and im sure if I ever removed the console the holes were the screws once were wont even be that noticeable.
I'l have some more photos of it this week. _________________ Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:44 am Post subject: |
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I think that looks pretty darn terrific.
I think it's going to be my next toy from Van Cafe.
When I first got my van, I tried the huge console thing between the two front seats. That lasted for one trip. It was WAY too big and bulky and blocking movement between the front seats in the back.
Between a burgeoning collection of electronic gadgets, and the required Useful Small Items needed for a good road trip, some sort of fairly unobtrusive upfront storage is starting to become a real necessity.
This looks like it fits the bill nicely. Rhino, thanks for coming up with this, and good luck in your business!
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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dachary Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2013 Posts: 130 Location: Boston
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:41 am Post subject: |
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So FWIW, we had our shop inspect our shift linkage, replace worn bushings and even bend our shifter but the console still won't work with all gears (manual trans). It bounces a little between all shifts and turns itself diagonally clockwise, and we have to tip it over a little bit to get into reverse. We really like the console and want to use it, so we're going to try cutting out the opening a little bit more. It's the 1/2 reverse side (left) where the console just doesn't quite work. So if you've got a Frankenvan like us, it may need some modding to work. _________________ '82 Diesel Westy w/Adventurewagen High Top |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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