1974 and 1975 westy info thread FAQ

[btripp]

As promised:

Foam came from Foam Factory Inc (www.foambymail.com), and I have been very happy with it. I ordered two separate pieces and did some cutting.

(NOTE: if you're doing this, these dimensions are slightly larger than was required. I was concerned that there might be too much variation in the accuracy of the cut that Foam Factory made. I want to say there's a disclaimer on their website that cuts are +- 1/2" or something. The actual cuts I received were far more accurate, and I would order exact dimensions if I were doing this again. Didn't make any difference, but would save some work.)

The types and dimensions I ordered were:

1 Cushion, Lux Foam - High Quality 3" X 37" X 47" - $64.13
1 Cushion, Lux Foam - High Quality 4" X 40" X 57" - $112.10
Total cost, shipped = $176.23

The 3" cushion was for the engine hatch piece (because it sits slightly higher than the bench), and the 4" was for the bench and I cut it in halfish to make the seat and back. As you can see from the pics, it all came out really level. Note that these are approximately 1" thicker than the stock foam was. I decided to do this in order to make it more comfortable. That was a very good decision.

-Ben
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85 Vanagon Transporter - Stock

[btripp]

In these pics you can see how the foam came and then expanded nicely once removed from the packaging.

Like I said, foam was larger than needed, so order using more exact measurements. Cut easily:

Spray foam install:

Fabric was ordered from Bus Depot, and I have been very happy with it. It looks great and is a good reproduction from the original. I ordered 4 yards of orange plaid for $194.66 shipped (2016). It looks like more than you need but wasn't once I made the back cushion.

Here it is laid out for perspective, with the removed pattern from the old bench seat at the bottom, and the PO recovered back cushion on the top:

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85 Vanagon Transporter - Stock

[btripp]

Note that the original seats were sort of tucked around the corners. Being lazy I didn't do this and just sort of gathered the fabric and stapled it down. This is a minor difference: the original foam was curved, which produced a rounded edge, but the foam I purchased has squared off edges:

How I did the corners:

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85 Vanagon Transporter - Stock

[btripp]

Various measurements:

In case you're the ultimate purist, here's the original glue adhesive pattern on the seat:

Lastly, I tested the flamability of the foam. It was supposedly flame resistant, but I wanted to see for myself. I couldn't get it to burn by blasting it with a lighter, so I felt like that verified:

At this point I've been using most of this for about three years and it's all really held up well. Hope this helps someone looking to do the same. Thanks for all the help Samba!

-Ben
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85 Vanagon Transporter - Stock

[buttonn]

Hey Ben & Jason,

I appreciate your info! I went ahead and bought the tempur-pedic topper while it was on sale. I'll make sure its not too thick before doing any cutting - thank you for the forethought. If it works then I'll get the fabric.

Yes, please post the measurements of the engine cushion when you can, otherwise I can wing it

My bus is in the shop getting the wondering steering checked out so no rush

Thanks again!

edit: wow I didn't even see the next page! That's awesome & thank you so much for the info. Super helpful

[white74westy]

I'm not sure if this is the case with all '74-'75 models, but I thought I'd bring it up in case anyone else runs into any trouble in the future.

Been working on the engine in my bus. While it was out, I decided to tackle the hardboard insulation panels that sit above the engine. Mine were beginning to look tired, like most of them do at this point in their lives. Nothing too difficult as far as removal, particularly when the engine's not in the way! While I was doing this I placed an order for some Werksberg replacements, back in August 2020. Covid and the holidays really made a mess of the USPS. It took nearly 3 months to receive the panels. No worries! Wasn't in a rush. I was pretty excited to open them up and get cracking. Much to my surprise, I wasn't going to be able to get very far. The joys of owning a '74 reared its ugly head once again.

The 74 and maybe some of the 75's have some strange one-year-only things going on. This happens to be one of them. As you'll see below, the part that sits above the right side of the engine, has a different shaped support bracket for the diagnostic module:

In the image below, I have laid the original over the werksberg piece so you can see the differences and that it just won't fit:

As always, my dealings with Jim have been stellar! I sent him an email with pictures attached explaining my predicament. He stated that in all the years he's been doing this, he hadn't run across this before. I explained that the 74-75 were strange beasts. He was awesome and sent me an additional blank piece along with some scraps so that I could practice cutting before making my final attempt. I will update soon with results.

[airschooled]

Hi folks,

Does anyone have a close-up photo of the rear seat/bed latch that was '75 only? The '74 Westy manual (and y'alls pics) don't show it, but I know some '75 full-width beds had one.

Many thanks,
Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[notchboy]

[airschooled]

Thanks Jason. That’s the factory ‘74 snap right? It looks like ‘75 had a mechanical latch of some kind, and I’m trying to figure out how best to lock it with a key.

Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[andrewtf]

Robbie,
Big Emma - (not a Westy as you know)..................

We put a 'hidden' latch (padlock hasp that has the ability to have a padlock or twist the male end of it 90 degree to latch) inside the bench seat....... accessed by reaching inside the forward door of the bench - way to the side. It is not a visual access, but only by feel.

We only put one on one side, but could do both sides. It is less of an anti-theft device than a "takes too long to get in here" deterrent. You could keep a stock look on the exterior - which might be a plus for Buddy.

As I recall, Buddy does not have a door on the front of the bench seat?...... maybe the same idea - accessed from the side? We contemplated doing this thru the armrest on one side (which we modified to be a storage cabinet), but that turned out to not be the best - only because that cabinet would have a lot of stuff in it and make the access difficult.

I suppose - a hidden strong latch works as well as a visible lock?

Also - although not the intent, it does also provide another method of latching the bench seat while driving. Good Luck
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'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey

[notchboy]

[crukab]

Just spotted this thread, read the whole thing this a.m., my '75 Westy I picked up in November looks pretty shabby and incomplete compared to the ones posted here, good thing it was cheap !

It is sad that a PO took out the sink cabinet & stock table, but I do like the full size bed !!

I laughed when I say the "baby" spare & air pump in the back cabinet, but I guess it was stock ??

Right now it will sit up on the Hill in my back feild, once a garage bay opens up, it will get moved inside, before Spring, I hope

It has a aftermarket single 2-barrel carb, ran when parked in '97
I was planning on just getting it running & selling it, but it is starting to grow on me.
Speaking of growing, what's the best way to clean the lichen mold & dirt off the Pop-top ??
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Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon