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Truck Fridge in Westfalia
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mwthrspn
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:15 am    Post subject: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

Has anyone recently installed a truck fridge into their camper van? I'm looking for advice on how to go about this. I want the refrigerator door to match the rest of the laminate. Any thoughts?

91 Vanagon
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bobhill8
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:40 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511321
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:45 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

mwthrspn wrote:
Has anyone recently installed a truck fridge into their camper van? I'm looking for advice on how to go about this. I want the refrigerator door to match the rest of the laminate. Any thoughts?

91 Vanagon


There is a closely matching laminate you can get from Home Depot (4x8'sheet though). Basically the bottom of the tf door slides off and you can slip out the black laminate and slip in the grey piece. The detailed instructions are in the tf owners manual.
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coqcitywesty
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:36 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

The best result that I could find was with Hodakaguy's Syncro build linked as follows and starting on Page 18: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=340

I followed his directions, but used the RMW install kit and am happy with the results. (image below)

The only thing I do not like about the TF49 over the Vitrifrgo 49L version is the locking latch which I have found pops off on occasion, whereas the Vitrifrigo version uses a sliding catch, which seems more solid. That said, I love my TF49 and the ability to chill wine bottles upright and make ice cubes in the desert is invaluable.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Vanuber
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:37 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

mwthrspn wrote:
Has anyone recently installed a truck fridge into their camper van? I'm looking for advice on how to go about this. I want the refrigerator door to match the rest of the laminate. Any thoughts?

91 Vanagon


I installed a TF-49 using the Van Cafe kit and laminate from Go Westy. The VC kit makes it very easy.

Van Cafe TF-49 install kit: https://www.vancafe.com/RMW-TFS-p/rmw-tfs.htm

Go Westy laminate: https://www.gowesty.com/product/material-fabric/4336/cabinet-laminate-material-

Installed:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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mwthrspn
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:13 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

These both have the matching look that I'm looking for. Does anyone know if the fans/ventilation is necessary. It looks lie the one set up uses it for storage.
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DeLvxe
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:32 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

The ventilation is largely done through the vent on the side and top of the cabinet. That is where the fan is. I put a drawer under my fridge.

For later interiors, there are two laminate options that are very good (not perfect) matches. I used the Pionite SG204 which to my eye is a better match. I forgot the other laminate (search here on theSamba) that is a little easier to get but not as good a match to my eye.
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Vanuber
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:33 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

mwthrspn wrote:
These both have the matching look that I'm looking for. Does anyone know if the fans/ventilation is necessary. It looks lie the one set up uses it for storage.


I am not using any additional fans or ventilation and have not had an issue. There is quite a bit of ventilation already built into the Westy cabinetry. The space under the fridge can be used for a variety of purposes. In my case it houses a Propex heater (facilitated by the Van Cafe kit), house battery shore charger, and starting battery trickle charger.
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coqcitywesty
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:33 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

The fans/ventilation is likely a Propex heater installation which fits quite nicely below the TF49. I did not go this route as I do not camp in cold climates. Note that the Van Cafe and RMW install kit are the same item and come with both a blank lower panel and one to accommodate a Propex.
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

Here is a tf65.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
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chrismsnt
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 1:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

Is the difference of the 49 vs 65 is that the larger sticks out more from cabinet?
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candyman
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 1:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

chrismsnt wrote:
Is the difference of the 49 vs 65 is that the larger sticks out more from cabinet?


Yea about an 1.5” or so, unless you cut out some metal from the cross member on the long panel which some have done. I installed the 65 and am fine with it sticking out a touch. The extra space is way worth it to me
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PDXWesty
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 2:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

chrismsnt wrote:
Is the difference of the 49 vs 65 is that the larger sticks out more from cabinet?


The TF 65 is also wider and requires repositioning of the right inner wall of the cabinet. You basically have to take the cabinet out and reconstruct it to fit the TF65. The TF49 slides right in.

Here's a super long post with many different installs. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=359831
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 2:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

Buy a top loader fridge. When you open the top lid, the cold air stays in the cooler (doesn't run out like a front loading fridge that drains your battery).
And you can use it as furniture as well while also having more storage where the old Westy fridge use to be...
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 5:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

Irishcalifornian wrote:
Buy a top loader fridge. When you open the top lid, the cold air stays in the cooler (doesn't run out like a front loading fridge that drains your battery).
And you can use it as furniture as well while also having more storage where the old Westy fridge use to be...


That is a myth. Cold air has almost no energy. The energy is stored in the cold contents.
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MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
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Howesight
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 5:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

Since the OP has a 1991 Westy, the interior will be grey. The exact Formica laminate product is Formica product Number 927-58. The name of the colour is "Folkstone" and it is in the matte finish. You can order it through any Home Depot. I got mine for $80 CAD for a 4' x 8' sheet since I have some other projects in mind for this stuff.

For the plastic and other fridge trim, I scuff sanded with 400 paper and used the following SEM products:

1. SEM 38353 Plastic/Leather prep;
2. SEM 17123 GM Light Gray plastic "flexible coating paint
3. SEM 13013 Satin Gloss Clear coat. This satin finish is very similar to the satin finish on the Westfalia stove front.

I used the door clasp hardware from the factory Westy fridge to make my drawer under my TF-65 seen in this pic:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Microbusdeluxe Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 11:20 pm    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

My Truckfridge had a latch that didn't always work. I drilled a 1/4 hole through the top trim plate into the door and use a clevis pin to hold it tight. I also mounted it low and put the drawer on top.
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 5:44 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

candyman wrote:
chrismsnt wrote:
Is the difference of the 49 vs 65 is that the larger sticks out more from cabinet?


Yea about an 1.5” or so, unless you cut out some metal from the cross member on the long panel which some have done. I installed the 65 and am fine with it sticking out a touch. The extra space is way worth it to me


No need to cut any metal from the cross member if you mount the fridge high in the cabinet like my pic.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
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11BC2
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:47 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

Whilst Googling for TruckFridge, I came across "Indel B fridges."

My main concern about the Indel B made products is that they're Italian made; very beautiful, very expensive, and will probably catch on fire for no reason.

Anyone have any experience with IndelB?
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khughes
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 10:10 am    Post subject: Re: Truck Fridge in Westfalia Reply with quote

dobryan wrote:
Irishcalifornian wrote:
Buy a top loader fridge. When you open the top lid, the cold air stays in the cooler (doesn't run out like a front loading fridge that drains your battery).
And you can use it as furniture as well while also having more storage where the old Westy fridge use to be...


That is a myth. Cold air has almost no energy. The energy is stored in the cold contents.


No myth, simple thermodynamics. And it's a matter energy addition, not maintenance...

If you're in and out of the unit a lot, a chest is definitely better as it keeps the cold, dehumidified air, in the unit instead of exchanging it with ambient air. Condensing water onto the cold contents is the major heat input mechanism. How much difference does it make? Depends on usage and ambient conditions. Does it outweigh the ergonomic impact? Not to me, but...
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