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tam_shops Samba Member

Joined: November 15, 2012 Posts: 1531 Location: Vancouver BC
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Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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THANK YOU! I wouldn't have been impressed if I'd swapped the little tiny metal pins and it didn't solve my problem.
| stevey88 wrote: |
| You need to modify the two pins that are inserted into the back of the seat in order to be able to pull the head rest out without removing the clips. There are V-shape indents on the pins but the last indents are different. Use a metal file or a grinder to modify the last indent so they look like the others. Then you will be able to pull them out. |
Any ideas on patching that hole?
I'm thinking liquid fabric paint.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tulip-Slick-Dimensional-Fabric-Paint-Black/17300276
Anyone ever try it?
tam _________________ 1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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stevey88 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: Fremont, SF Bay Area
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Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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If you are talking about the tear on the black head rest, use this:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PER0/8178...nyl+repair
I have used this to repair my grey head rest. The difficult part is to get the right color by mixing black and white. You will not be able to tell after you are done since it is at the bottom and the color is black. The kit can also be used on the dash or other vinyl/leather parts. _________________ Steve |
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tam_shops Samba Member

Joined: November 15, 2012 Posts: 1531 Location: Vancouver BC
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Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you! Will see if I have the kit I used last time I did it before buying a new kit. Saved the link though!
tam
| stevey88 wrote: |
If you are talking about the tear on the black head rest, use this:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PER0/8178...nyl+repair
I have used this to repair my grey head rest. The difficult part is to get the right color by mixing black and white. You will not be able to tell after you are done since it is at the bottom and the color is black. The kit can also be used on the dash or other vinyl/leather parts. |
_________________ 1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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stevey88 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: Fremont, SF Bay Area
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Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:04 am Post subject: |
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You need to use the iron that come with the kit. Using a house hold iron will risk burning or melting the vinyl. _________________ Steve |
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sdirghalli Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Long Beach, CA
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 12:53 pm Post subject: bracket dimentions |
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| I have the plastic sleeves on order, but I want to get a jump on making the brackets. Does anyone know the measurements (including thickness) of the pipe used, the flat piece and the width and depth of the notch in the top of the pipe??? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! |
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Racerrojo Samba Member

Joined: August 01, 2006 Posts: 827 Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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The kids a re growing out of the boosters and i will have to do this on my next van.
You guys that have done this mod, are happy with the result?
the back seat is sitting in pieces in my shed, and now is the time to do it. _________________ Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!
Too many vans and mostly all projects  |
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tarandusVDub Samba Member

Joined: August 27, 2010 Posts: 1683 Location: Between Here and There
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:13 am Post subject: |
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Our daughter is 9 now and it gives me a lot of peace of mind. I do think she'll get too tall for the GW 3-point seat belt at some point and it will cut into her shoulder, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it! For now, headrests are a great mod. _________________ 1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD. |
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jbnova Samba Member

Joined: August 20, 2010 Posts: 118 Location: Ellensburg, WA
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:26 am Post subject: |
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Has anybody tried using guides and headrests from another vehicle? I haven't found any Samba posts.
Surprisingly, it's not that easy to find a matching set of used Vanagon headrests, and those OEM brackets are expensive.
These tan Beetle headrests would be a good match for my van.
$47.99 OBO for the pair on Ebay.
$22.99 for set of four on Ebay.
Then I guess you would need to make up a set of metal tubes/brackets to bolt onto the back seat.
I'd be stoked if I could get another pair of the Beetle headrests to work on the front seats too, when I re-upholster. _________________ 1986 Westfalia Weekender
2wd; Bostig RG3
GoWesty (H&R) 1.5" Lift Springs + 0.5" pad in rear.
Bilstein Shocks
16" Mefros, Cooper Discoverer AT3 (215-70-16) |
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Racerrojo Samba Member

Joined: August 01, 2006 Posts: 827 Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:51 am Post subject: |
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^^^ I don't see why the Beatle parts wouldnt work. As long as the brakest are positioned to fit them. _________________ Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!
Too many vans and mostly all projects  |
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Mulcheese Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Maple Grove, Mn
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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Here is what I did to my van recently. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=580940
I have been thinking about this for some time and I have come to the conclusion that if I did not come across my headrests then I feel that any headrest and tubes will do. I feel that with the plywood that is the back and the hinges of the z bed this back seat is going to sustain only so much force. The headrest mounts that some are installing are over engineered. The entire z bed will give before the headrest will. I was considering using the headrest tubes and something like this http://t.homedepot.com/p/Halex-1-2-in-Electrical-M...100172548/. This alone won't do but something along these lines. Just my thoughts. _________________ 82 Westy: Air is cool! |
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atomatom Samba Member

Joined: May 15, 2012 Posts: 1911 Location: in an 84 Westy or Bowen Island, BC
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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yeah, i don't see any reason to stick with the vanagon ones.
one thing i see most people forget to install is the clip that keeps the 3 point belt in the right place, aka "lucky" # 13
_________________ 84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada. |
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madspaniard Samba Member

Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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Where do you get a lucky #13? _________________ 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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atomatom Samba Member

Joined: May 15, 2012 Posts: 1911 Location: in an 84 Westy or Bowen Island, BC
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tarandusVDub Samba Member

Joined: August 27, 2010 Posts: 1683 Location: Between Here and There
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:45 am Post subject: |
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I don't think I got the Lucky 13 clip with my GoWesty kit...is it supposed to have one? _________________ 1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD. |
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madspaniard Samba Member

Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:26 am Post subject: |
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| tarandusVDub wrote: |
| I don't think I got the Lucky 13 clip with my GoWesty kit...is it supposed to have one? |
No, I have never seen one. All vans I have seen came without this. Even late model 1990 passenger vans with headrests in the rearmost seat bench. I'm guessing only some factory passenger vans with rear headrests and rear three point seat belts would have a Lucky #13. _________________ 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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SactoSteve Samba Member

Joined: September 07, 2010 Posts: 24 Location: Sacramento, CA
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for this thread! The Samba is indeed an awesome resource.
I've decided to go with the OEM kit, and found it in Canada for a little cheaper than the one linked to in Europe:
http://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=703
$160 Canadian shipped, or ~$130 US. Why isn't this carried in the US?
I'm assuming there will be basic instructions with it, but for those that have used this kit, do the plates face the back or the front? I would guess the front.
Thanks.
-Steve
EDIT: I got these installed, and posted my install process and pics here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=626373 _________________ Steve
1983 1.9L Wasserboxer Westy |
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jereandjess Samba Member

Joined: January 09, 2005 Posts: 563 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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| joetiger wrote: |
| Last night I removed my rear seat for reupholstery and made some measurements for the headrest kit. I'll post up pics and description when I get everything installed, should be this week I hope. |
Hey joetiger, did you ever get this installed in your weekender? I have been reading and heard about a metal support bar that goes across the seat back making the install difficult? Just curious if you have pics of this and how/what you did about it.
Thanks! _________________ ~Jeremy (and Jessica)
77 Sage Green Westfalia 2.0 FI - since May 2004
78 Blue Landmark camper 2.0 FI - since April 1998
69 Beetle - In the family since new
86 Wolfsburg Vanagon Camper "Weekender" since July 25, 2015 |
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joetiger  Samba Member

Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5274 Location: denver
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 6:49 am Post subject: |
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| jereandjess wrote: |
Hey joetiger, did you ever get this installed in your weekender? I have been reading and heard about a metal support bar that goes across the seat back making the install difficult? Just curious if you have pics of this and how/what you did about it.
Thanks! |
I made the decision that the headrests were more important than the U-shaped top steel support. The back plywood section on mine has held up fine to repeated and regular abuse over the years; however, I did get less rigidity by discarding the top steel support.
If I was doing it again, I think a good solution would be to get two long pieces of 1" flat steel stock, drill some holes and sandwich/bolt them across the top section of the back bench to replace the U-shaped steel piece that I removed. That way you could have the headrest brackets in place and still have that rigid support across the top.
(Disclaimer: I'm neither an engineer nor a safety expert, so this idea might be garbage.) _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell |
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Honuak Samba Member

Joined: April 21, 2009 Posts: 521 Location: AK
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:35 am Post subject: Re: 86 Westy Rear Head Rest Install |
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With my little one growing fast I am getting ready to do this mod. I sourced one headrest kit from Frank in Canada (no instructions but with this forum's help it doesn't look too hard).
But I'm not having much luck finding decent vanagon headrests. All the ones I have seen on the classifieds seem long in tooth and a bit spendy for what you get. Some have mentioned that other headrests would work but I have failed to find examples. Lots of nice used vw/audi/porsche headrests on ebay etc.
Anyone have specific info on what fits?
Thanks |
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WestyKlaus Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2007 Posts: 60
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