86 Westy Rear Head Rest Install

FoggyBeach · Samba Member Joined: October 16, 2023 Posts: 7

I see it was asked but I'm not sure about the answer.
Will other headrests work with the available kits? Say an early jetta or similar? I can find the insert kits but not vanagon headrests. If I'm installing the kit, I can obviously put them at the appropriate spots to line up with the arms but will they fit the insert?
Thanks

Kirsche Wasserboxer

Thanks for the photo. It gives me a good visual idea of what I suspected. They look a little low for where I would like them to be on an adult. I'm 6'2" BTW. Those quesadillas do look good though:)
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1990 Westfalia Vanagon
2.1 Wasserboxer

kourt

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

This is my 1991 Westy with rear headrests that were installed in 2015 by me. I used the kit offered by Gunzl parts in Germany.

I am 6' tall and am slouching a little bit, having just cooked these delicious quesadillas, but you can get an impression of how the headrests work.

In my experience they provide benefit to any adult up to 6' 2" tall.

kourt

Kirsche Wasserboxer

A question for those that have done the rear headrest install in a full Westy camper, does this mainly benefit passengers that are child size? With the relatively low seat back, can you get the headrest high enough to benefit adult passengers? I recently swapped out the front seats in my '90 Westy for the Chrysler T&C seats, and am considering keeping the headrests from the old seats for the back seat. Our kids are adults, and so are all of our passengers, so if it is only done to make it safer for your young kids, I'll skip the seat surgery required. I'll also get more money selling the old front seats with headrests, than without. I'm halfway done installing the Go Westy 3-point seat belts in the back (still have the cabinet cutting to get over), so this mod has my interest at the moment.

Coincidentally, I also have a pair of the new Beetle headrests shown above, in black leather. I used them in my 2012 TDI SportWagen, because the OEM headrests pushed your head too far forward for our liking. I sold the TDI back to VW, and no one in Seattle seems to want a cheap pair of New Beetle headrests. The stalks seem too short for use in the Vanagon to me, but if it was a child sitting there, they would probably work just fine too.
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1990 Westfalia Vanagon
2.1 Wasserboxer

skippyjon · Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:58 am Post subject:

WestyKlaus · Samba Member Joined: February 27, 2007 Posts: 60

I have one headrest kit good for one headrest - part number 255 070 211A
PM if anyone is interested.

Frank's kit: https://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index...uct_id=703

Honuak

With my little one growing fast I am getting ready to do this mod. I sourced one headrest kit from Frank in Canada (no instructions but with this forum's help it doesn't look too hard).
But I'm not having much luck finding decent vanagon headrests. All the ones I have seen on the classifieds seem long in tooth and a bit spendy for what you get. Some have mentioned that other headrests would work but I have failed to find examples. Lots of nice used vw/audi/porsche headrests on ebay etc.
Anyone have specific info on what fits?
Thanks

joetiger · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 6:49 am Post subject:

jereandjess · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 7:24 pm Post subject:

SactoSteve · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 1:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks for this thread! The Samba is indeed an awesome resource.

I've decided to go with the OEM kit, and found it in Canada for a little cheaper than the one linked to in Europe:
http://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=703

$160 Canadian shipped, or ~$130 US. Why isn't this carried in the US?

I'm assuming there will be basic instructions with it, but for those that have used this kit, do the plates face the back or the front? I would guess the front.
Thanks.
-Steve

EDIT: I got these installed, and posted my install process and pics here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=626373
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Steve
1983 1.9L Wasserboxer Westy

madspaniard · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:26 am Post subject:

tarandusVDub · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:45 am Post subject:

I don't think I got the Lucky 13 clip with my GoWesty kit...is it supposed to have one?
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

atomatom · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:12 pm Post subject:

i think there are many aftermarket options. https://www.google.com/search?q=seat+belt+retainer+headrest&tbm=isch

my 3 point install went in easily enough (non-wart style) - but next step is the headrest.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

madspaniard · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:03 pm Post subject:

Where do you get a lucky #13?
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

atomatom · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:43 pm Post subject:

yeah, i don't see any reason to stick with the vanagon ones.

one thing i see most people forget to install is the clip that keeps the 3 point belt in the right place, aka "lucky" # 13

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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

Mulcheese · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject:

Here is what I did to my van recently. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=580940

I have been thinking about this for some time and I have come to the conclusion that if I did not come across my headrests then I feel that any headrest and tubes will do. I feel that with the plywood that is the back and the hinges of the z bed this back seat is going to sustain only so much force. The headrest mounts that some are installing are over engineered. The entire z bed will give before the headrest will. I was considering using the headrest tubes and something like this http://t.homedepot.com/p/Halex-1-2-in-Electrical-M...100172548/. This alone won't do but something along these lines. Just my thoughts.
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82 Westy: Air is cool!

Racerrojo · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:51 am Post subject:

^^^ I don't see why the Beatle parts wouldnt work. As long as the brakest are positioned to fit them.
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Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!

Too many vans and mostly all projects Smile

jbnova · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:26 am Post subject:

Has anybody tried using guides and headrests from another vehicle? I haven't found any Samba posts.

Surprisingly, it's not that easy to find a matching set of used Vanagon headrests, and those OEM brackets are expensive.

These tan Beetle headrests would be a good match for my van.

$47.99 OBO for the pair on Ebay.

$22.99 for set of four on Ebay.

Then I guess you would need to make up a set of metal tubes/brackets to bolt onto the back seat.

I'd be stoked if I could get another pair of the Beetle headrests to work on the front seats too, when I re-upholster.
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1986 Westfalia Weekender
2wd; Bostig RG3
GoWesty (H&R) 1.5" Lift Springs + 0.5" pad in rear.
Bilstein Shocks
16" Mefros, Cooper Discoverer AT3 (215-70-16)


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