| Author |
Message |
Selsk
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2015
Posts: 135
Location: LA, CA
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:28 am Post subject: Under storage rifle case? |
 |
|
I have been reading post about under van storage. I like the cutout container, but I don't really want to cut into my floor at the moment. I'm wondering if a pelican or similar rifle case would fit? That space behind the door is so nice and long/deep I would love to take advantage and rid my interior of a sliding container of tools/parts/fluids.
A bunch of strong neodymium magnets would be really cool way of snapping it up there. But most likely bungy cords to start. If it even fits...just wondering if anyone has done it before I go get dirty with my tape measure. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3115
Location: Bozeman MT
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
I don't really understand what you're talking/asking about. You want to store a rifle under your van? That sounds insanely insecure, both in terms of the rifle's mechanical safety and the potential for theft.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Selsk
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2015
Posts: 135
Location: LA, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| sorry, not a rifle. Just a rifle case with tools in it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RoryGirl
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 784
Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| You're going to need all the magnets |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Selsk
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2015
Posts: 135
Location: LA, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| RoryGirl wrote: |
| You're going to need all the magnets |
I feel like a pack of these https://www.amazon.com/DIYMAG-Neodymium-Magnets-Do...2ARZO?th=1 epoxied on the case and frame would do the trick. But would have to see, would suck to loose a hard case of tools. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pnwkayaker
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2008
Posts: 919
Location: Sammamish, WA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
If you have your spare tire on an external carrier, the tire tray is an awesome place to put a container to store fluids, spare parts, etc. There're several threads with info about it.
Going back to your original question, I don't like the idea of using the rifle case in that location because it's difficult to open/remove without spilling everything out.
I've seen folks build a tray with angle iron, mesh wire (or similar) and hinges to enclose the space between the rails on the side and then using Pelican boxes or other containers to store fluids, etc (easier to attach to the tray using rope, wire, etc).
_________________
87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")
Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4777
Location: Bemidji, MN
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
there's so VERY few truly waterproof storage boxes, especially when length is involved vs square. it's all about the sealing-to-latch pressure interface and the longer you go, the more latches you need.
there's few things worse than an ALMOST water-tight box...let's moisture in and never out. things rust rilly fast. military 'rocket boxes' are good but their width doesn't fit between the structural rails. it's a horrible envrionment to try to seal with an openable box.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Crankey
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 2658
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
I've seen the floor cut out box. I like that way better than having stuff outside the body shell.
Maybe because I'm a welder and could use a little rust cut out of the floor anyway.
If I were to attach a storage box I'd do it with bolts. I've used the magnets to attach things but magnets work best when they touch metal to metal with more than a couple layers of paint, no undercoating.
That said, it's probably worth experimenting with. Who knows you might need to detach that box with a pry bar ? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9606
Location: Western WA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| Crankey wrote: |
| Who knows you might need to detach that box with a pry bar ? |
With the proper amount of magnets, yes, a crowbar.
I wouldn't glue a shiny nickel plated magnet to a plastic case and put my tools hanging on that.
They need to be the washer-type, with a countersunk screw.
I put a 2gallon gas can in that area under the slider.
I built a cradle for it that holds the weight with steel.
Have to lift it up a little and slide forward to drop the rear out.
Here's the thread: 2 gallon fuel tank (...a get outta jail card)
_________________
'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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Selsk
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2015
Posts: 135
Location: LA, CA
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:35 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
Man that fuel tank looks amazing, nice job fabricating.
I'm going to try a prototype with a small pelican case I have. Basically a big Hide-A-Key box.
These look pretty cool too:
https://www.amazon.com/Neodymium-Rectangular-Magne...&psc=1 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Selsk
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2015
Posts: 135
Location: LA, CA
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| DanHoug wrote: |
there's so VERY few truly waterproof storage boxes, especially when length is involved vs square. it's all about the sealing-to-latch pressure interface and the longer you go, the more latches you need.
there's few things worse than an ALMOST water-tight box...let's moisture in and never out. things rust rilly fast. military 'rocket boxes' are good but their width doesn't fit between the structural rails. it's a horrible envrionment to try to seal with an openable box. |
Pelican cases are pretty good. Plus, I am in California...I think I have driven the van 2 times in the rain. The van isn't my primary vehicle. It would be cool to have some oil & fluids, cleaning stuff, jumper cables etc. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6245
Location: Portland OR
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SyncroHead 
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1141
Location: Northern Nevada
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| Selsk wrote: |
| That space behind the door is so nice and long/deep I would love to take advantage... |
Did you mean "below" the door?
If so, I'm kind of liking the idea of a rifle-sized pelican case. I imagine fastening the lid of the case to the floor of the van with bolts with the hinges facing the center of the van. As long as the sturdy clasps were accessible, they could be undone and the bottom of the case would swing down to get at the contents. Contents would shift a bit as the case swung down, but sounds workable.
Something like this photoshop mock-up:
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? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 5:43 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
Thought I'd update this thread with another storage box idea.
My last, temporary storage box didn't do so well. Perhaps I should have taken the hint the last time I had to duct tape it back together.
But I liked the dimensions. This RIGID 22" tool box was $31 at HD. It's allegedly water-resistant, meaning you can't totally submerge it but it should be fine with road spray. It has a silicone seal around the rim and clamps down tight.
Various hoses, clamps, splices, cap, rotor, wires, fuel pump, CV joint & boot, v-belt pulleys. all the sensitive stuff in plastic bags.
It has a spring-loaded handle on the front so it's easy to pull out of the clamshell, too.
It doesn't use up all the space, but it should work for my needs.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"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
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2795
Location: North Carolina
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Corwyn
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2237
Location: Olympia, Washington
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
If you need a rifle case full of tools, you're maintenance is shabby or youre takingtoo much stuff. Just my opinion . . .
_________________
'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:27 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| Corwyn wrote: |
| If you need a rifle case full of tools, you're maintenance is shabby or youre takingtoo much stuff. Just my opinion . . . |
It's a tool box full of parts, based on mechanical failures I've experienced in the past. Probably it's more for peace of mind than anything, but burned up pulley bearings, ruptured hoses, and shitty ignition parts have put me on the side of the road here and there in the past, so I prefer to be prepared.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"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
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Under storage rifle case? |
|
|
| dobryan wrote: |
I feel naked without tools. I use them on other buses more than my own....  |
Same with some parts. I remember when Pam and Jeremy fried their ignition switch at Syncro Solstice one year. They asked if anybody had a spare and around ten people ran up with a new ones in hand. 
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"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
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
