| Author |
Message |
ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 6:57 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
^^^ Great! Looking forward to pics and your thoughts once you've had some time with this set-up vs. your original set-up. Thanks!
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
GypsyDriver
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2012
Posts: 190
Location: Columbus, GA
|
| Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 5:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| ThankYouJerry wrote: |
| ^^^ Great! Looking forward to pics and your thoughts once you've had some time with this set-up vs. your original set-up. Thanks! |
So, I prototyped the setup moving the cups to the ends of the bar mounted to 2 1/2" spacers with 3 1/2" draw bolts running through the cup holder, the spacer, the grab bar and the dash. After looking all over to find something suitable, I made the spacer prototype myself from a 1" diameter oak dowel. I cut the end that mounts to the cup holder with a 3 1/2" hole saw to match the curvature of the cup holder. This setup does work for anyone who might be interested in mounting this cupholder directly to the dash. You can still open the glovebox and clear the padded dash. But in the end, I preferred my original setup. So I moved everything back to the bar and centered it on the shifter.
Also installed a NOS VW factory rubber floor liner this weekend, too. Its war on coffee spills in my van.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
|
| Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 6:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for your update and all of your efforts! This is a great mod and I will probably be copying it in the near future.
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
porterbrown
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2005
Posts: 718
Location: Bentonville, AR
|
| Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 7:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Still loving this mod. I've had my grab bar sitting around the house for over a week now, waiting to go in. Just need to order the cup holders, and install the setup!
_________________
'90 Westfalia GL Automatic |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GypsyDriver
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2012
Posts: 190
Location: Columbus, GA
|
| Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 12:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| porterbrown wrote: |
| Still loving this mod. I've had my grab bar sitting around the house for over a week now, waiting to go in. Just need to order the cup holders, and install the setup! |
My bar sat in the box for two years before I got to it ('course I had a deployment to Afghanistan in between there.) Hopefully, yours doesn't take that long. I'm really happy with it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Forthwithtx
Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2014
Posts: 717
Location: Fort Worth
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 8:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
I just performed this mod a couple weeks back. Turned out beautifully, but I would say that the swath carved out by the manual shifter limits the usable area on the bar. I found that the bent areas of the bar have a reduced diameter, and so accessories with a tightly controlled ID on the mount will be useless there without a mod of some sort. My Kruzer Caddy (identical to the OP item) only worked on the passenger side. I was able to squeeze-in a cell phone holder on the driver's side, but it obscures the heater controls. Overall, I am happy with the cup holder, but if there were a slightly longer bar available, it would be a better solution for the manual shift folks.
Something Like this might get you more real estate within the same footprint, especially now (in my case) where the holes now already exist.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
porterbrown
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2005
Posts: 718
Location: Bentonville, AR
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 12:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Finally got around to taking some pics of my install of this mod. ...Still need to purchase and install the bar-mount cup holder to go with it. I wasn't 100% happy with the hardware as-is so I found some black billet fender washers and hex bolt sets to use with the bar. You can see in my photos how tight of a fit it is with the auto shifter, but it never touches.
The bar is straight, but my junk stock stereo is slightly tilted....causing the bar to look a bit unlevel. That stereo will soon be replaced.
_________________
'90 Westfalia GL Automatic |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cmayna
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 1173
Location: SF Bay area, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 12:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
porterbrown,
Did you finish this project? Looks pretty promising. Something I need to do as well.
Oh and yes I see the auto shifter does get pretty close to the bar. So when you slam it into P your knuckles don't get nailed?
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Craig |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alex Proulx
Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2010
Posts: 294
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 6:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Forthwithtx wrote: |
I just performed this mod a couple weeks back. Turned out beautifully, but I would say that the swath carved out by the manual shifter limits the usable area on the bar. I found that the bent areas of the bar have a reduced diameter, and so accessories with a tightly controlled ID on the mount will be useless there without a mod of some sort. My Kruzer Caddy (identical to the OP item) only worked on the passenger side. I was able to squeeze-in a cell phone holder on the driver's side, but it obscures the heater controls. Overall, I am happy with the cup holder, but if there were a slightly longer bar available, it would be a better solution for the manual shift folks.
Something Like this might get you more real estate within the same footprint, especially now (in my case) where the holes now already exist. |
With my manual I find I can put 2 cup holders on the right hand side of the shift stick. One cup holder is on the straight and one on the bend. I used a rubber sleeve on the bend to make up for the reduced diameter. This way there is enough room for your hand in 1st and 3rd gear.
_________________
Vanagon GL 1988 Full Camper, 4 speed manual, 2.1 stock engine
Audi A3 2.0T S-Line Quattro 2015 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dsdunbar
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2014
Posts: 564
Location: Crozet VA
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
Bringing this thread back up...
I have an 89 4spd manual. All the pictures are for installs with the automatic. Multiple folks have commented on this and using it with a manual...does anyone have pictures?
Just curious to see what it looks like. Thanks in advance if you can help.
_________________
'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
noganav
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006
Posts: 1236
Location: San Diego CA
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
That looks so great. For the first time in my life I've got reverse Syncro envy.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dsdunbar
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2014
Posts: 564
Location: Crozet VA
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 3:38 pm Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
I know folks don't like to drill into the soft part of the dash (the top surface) but this just seems like a better spot for my van. Allows me to use the full width of the bar, something I couldn't do with a manual transmission.
I haven't started drilling it yet wanted to ask if there are any other problems I may not have thought of? If I get the koozy cup like the OP, I think it will be high enough to reach the radio controls. The bonus in my mind of this setup is installing a GPS/smart phone holder I. A great visibility location.
Interested in opinions before I drill.
_________________
'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
goffoz
Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2007
Posts: 1486
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
| dsdunbar wrote: |
I know folks don't like to drill into the soft part of the dash (the top surface) but this just seems like a better spot for my van. Allows me to use the full width of the bar, something I couldn't do with a manual transmission.
Interested in opinions before I drill.
|
Your dash is so much prettier than mine was, I think that jeep bar in that location is a Ugly choice, You could do so much better, The PO wreaked havoc on my dash,dozens of screw ins and cig burns  (PIG)
So for me it was easy ....Drill baby drill
handle is from the back of a middle row seat, dash pod is a glove box inverted and cut.
...Ive never like the stock G box, so I made this.
steel ,lockable.and I can reach the latch from the drivers seat.
just sayin, plan carefully
the jeep bar down low is better |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chase4food
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016
Posts: 636
Location: PNW im Amerika
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
| dsdunbar wrote: |
I know folks don't like to drill into the soft part of the dash (the top surface) but this just seems like a better spot for my van. Allows me to use the full width of the bar, something I couldn't do with a manual transmission.
I haven't started drilling it yet wanted to ask if there are any other problems I may not have thought of? If I get the koozy cup like the OP, I think it will be high enough to reach the radio controls. The bonus in my mind of this setup is installing a GPS/smart phone holder I. A great visibility location.
Interested in opinions before I drill.
|
You invite opinion, and opinion is what you get. I would not do that with the condition of the dash you have. I really like the cigarette "ash tray" as storage, especially how the door flips open and disappears gracefully.
My alternative inspired by Gypsycamper's design.
Another point, the RAM mount parts for the 1" grab are quite spendy.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8260
Location: WA/ID
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 11:25 pm Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
| dsdunbar wrote: |
Interested in opinions before I drill.
|
I've resisted sharing my opinion until now, but you asked, so I'll share: to me, this mod looks like the worst hillbilly horseshit I've seen executed in the name of adding a cupholder (and we all know that cupholders lead to all sorts of hideous hillbilly horseshit). It starts with jeep crap and ends with bolting that crap to the dash of a Vanagon (be sure to use corroded old bolts). This ranks right up there with Pergo or engineered wood floors that people actually think are attractive in a van.
Here's a deal: resist this impulse for 3 months. If you awake on 7/16/2016 and still want to screw that piece of crap to your dash post your efforts here and I'll send (paypal, check, whatever) you $50. Why? Because time often gets the better of my bad ideas.
You were interested in opinions, weren't you?
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro).
Last edited by jimf909 on Sun Apr 17, 2016 7:23 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chase4food
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016
Posts: 636
Location: PNW im Amerika
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 2:50 am Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
I wish someone would give me such un-vanished honest opinion sometime.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8260
Location: WA/ID
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 7:18 am Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
I like your accessory track: it's clean and unobtrusive. It may be even cleaner if anodized to blend in. Also, cutting the anchor screws and using acorn nuts would look a bit better. Overall, it ranks as a better solution to this conundrum.
To me, the CJ mount is bulky and the outward facing flanges are crude.
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32988
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chase4food
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016
Posts: 636
Location: PNW im Amerika
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 8:26 am Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
The sculpted vinyl covered metal dash if a prominent design elements in the Vanagon interior. It withstood the test of time and till today does not look dated. The folds and raised ridges are parts of form follows function of the Bauhaus aesthetic, devoid of embellishment.
Its rectilinear form, carefully chosen radius of the rolled edges echo the exterior body sheet metal styling and forms a coherent whole. Even the two end caps that you seldom see are seamlessly fitted.
What really amaze me is to see the various derivatives of this dash offered in different versions of Vanagon. The most obvious are those sold to fire fighting and ambulance services.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dsdunbar
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2014
Posts: 564
Location: Crozet VA
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 9:49 am Post subject: Re: CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders |
|
|
Chase4food, goff, jimf909, Dave-
Thanks for weighing in (might have misspelled some of those handles, using smartphone so handles were by memory).
I do actually appreciate the honesty of the opinions...it has given me pause. I would like to investigate the track option a bit further, for as mentioned the grab handle in the OP's location is too limiting with a manual.
Is there a post outlining the track mountains associated hardware? Can two cup holders be installed w/o interfering with shifting?
Thanks.
Putting the grab bar back on the shelf for further contemplation.
_________________
'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
