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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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 Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 7:37 am Post subject: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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As most of know under your swivel seat base has a good amount of space, which is not easily accessible. I had the desire to have it hinged but to do it in a way to be structurally safe. Thus, the idea of a piano hinge with removable pin came to mind.
Objectives of this project
- easy access under swivel
- main switch for start battery
- protect every lead off battery
- upgrade start cable
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 7:41 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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After consult with my USCG certified welder about the project I cut off the swivel to find the usual mess, with a bad patch from on old leaking battery
I have replaced the engine fuel lines already, So this was perfect time to drop the tank and take care of everything
Tank was drained before removal
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:10 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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Why not just cut off the forward vertical lip and then build a pull out drawer?
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:11 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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After the tank was down I realized some time ago the tank was slightly crushed, and the internal baffle was separated and rattling around. perfect rust free tank also.
Well did my research and honestly Spectra is the only tank avail regardless
of who you purchase it from.
I decided to coat the tank with spray on bedliner to protect from rust and also condensation, I was satisfied with the results
the texture is similar to the original tank
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:17 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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Now in my usual style I can not install any component unless it is shiny..
Tank straps were blasted clean, de-burred, and primed with Awlgrip
Paint is also Awlgrip, Acetone wont touch this stuff when dry
Battery vent got primed and bed-liner applied
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:22 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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With the tank down there are many areas that that could need attention
my first was to install a conduit across to house the crossover wire for the second battery
I used stainless "P" clamps and existing mounting nuts, I removed the E-brake bolt from the top and installed a sliglhtly longer one from the bottom, there is a nut on top now so I could still remove it If needed
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:27 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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I also noticed that most of the brake line clips were brittle or failed completely
Uniwerks had the best price so I purchased them, now only clips avail currently are ones that fit in the rear control arms
I made rubber grommets to install under the clips and replaced every one.
Chris at Uniwerks said he will produce the correct clips in the future
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7468
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:41 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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This thread has taken an interesting turn. Are we going to see a transmission rebuild before returning to the Piano Swivel Seat mod?
| puchfinnland wrote: |
I have replaced the engine fuel lines already, So this was perfect time to drop the tank and take care of everything
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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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). |
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WestyWanter
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2017
Posts: 459
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:12 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
This thread has taken an interesting turn. Are we going to see a transmission rebuild before returning to the Piano Swivel Seat mod?
| puchfinnland wrote: |
I have replaced the engine fuel lines already, So this was perfect time to drop the tank and take care of everything
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 when one thing leads to the next |
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atomatom
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2012
Posts: 1867
Location: in an 84 Westy or Bowen Island, BC
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:32 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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ha. isn't this how everyone's van projects go? such adventure.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada. |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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ALIKA T3
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Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6355
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7756
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:08 am Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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Go on, OP...just ignore those guys. I'm listening...
- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9609
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| Why not just cut off the forward vertical lip and then build a pull out drawer? |
Now that we're at post # 14,..... #2 seems quaint.
Sodo, having performed a driver-seat swivelectomy is waiting with baited breath for the piano hinge details.
I think it's a great place for jumpstart cables
No hurry, puchfinnland, anytime after your hairy gearbox drainplug magnet pics will be fine. 
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:51 pm Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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A Joker Syncro swivelectomy victim was the source for the swivel I modified to fit onto our Eurovan passenger seat. I now would like to add a pull out drawer under there.
_________________
Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1145
Location: Northern Nevada
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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| dobryan wrote: |
| I often think every Vanagon should be named Pandora's Box... |
"Pandora" What a grat name for a Vanagon! I wonder how many have already been named this?
Mine are already named, or I would certainly name it this.
Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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So back to the Piano Swivel....
the tropical storm gave me some time this morning and then I went to WORK!
we got 5 inches in less then 4 hours.
I decided the component must be robust and capable of receiving a weld without deforming So I ordered 1/2" x 1/4" x 2" bushings for the job
this was the concept, now to get everything aligned before Quinton, my certified welder comes
_________________
ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical |
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puchfinnland
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Deale Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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I noticed if I cut one side of the track away the bushing sits perfectly level
BUT if I cut them all away I CAN NOT rest the swivel base back in alignment on top
time to narrow the swivel base, this was very carefully measured before cutting, I wanted almost zero clearance between the base and the buschings
I carefully cut this way and they held all the bushings for alignment which is very critical
I then calculated which bushings will be welded to the base, and the ones welded to the swivel and did some more careful grinding
_________________
ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical
Last edited by puchfinnland on Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:07 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7468
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: The Piano Swivel seat modification |
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Cool. That's a fancy piano hinge!
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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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). |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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