Westy Table vertical slider modification (How-to)

[bertobarb]

The longer inside table-post mod is such a good idea that now you don't have to make it ... you can just buy it! ... which I did and it works great. A very handy mod.

https://www.vanagonlife.com/vanagonshop/westy-table-leg

[RicMcK]

Sodo. Thank you for the scoop. I would have never found that function.
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Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX "VINNY"
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window (first car)
58 split window bug - long gone.

[Sodo]

[RicMcK]

See my post here: Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today?

Page 651 mid way down. PostPosted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 2:10 pm

Added a gas strut to the table leg. It's a fast cheap and easy mod that greatly improves the table experience.
_________________
Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX "VINNY"
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window (first car)
58 split window bug - long gone.

[Michael7810]

I just did this mod to the table support and it was easy and works great. I have enough pipe to do 4 more if anyone in the Phoenix area wants a piece for free.

[Sodo]

[Alaskaberrys]

[latelogan]

This is an oldie, but new to me!
I ran out got the 24" length of 3/4" BIP and 2 1/2" electrical conduit lock nuts and had this done in about an hour! (cut off about 1.5" for total length of ~22.5")

I added an LDPE washer at the bottom to make it turn smoother (instead of metal on metal) when its all the way down.

And then I cut a collar of the same LDPE and stuck it in the end of the table leg pipe as a spacer. (don't know if it will move in the long run, but it seems pretty stable so far

Thanks to all the posters for this one! I wouldn't have realised how much I needed this mod without seeing it!

Amazing. My wife cant stop smiling about this one! ($10 bucks!!!)

Makes me wonder what other goodies are in the depths...

Maybe we should have a best mod thread!
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1991 Westy stock 2.1 auto transmission
1978 Westy (Sold)
1971 Westy (Sold)

[fxr]

[Sodo]

[Beast McGee]

So I've got the Van Cafe rear table extender kit here, and first step is to remove the table leg...which apparently has a flange at the bottom in my 1982! Do I need to get out the sawzall or maybe hack saw and take that off so I can install this baby? Anyone have experience with this issue? It's after their hours and I'd love to finish this project so I can put my van back together to travel tomorrow

[vanis13]

I LOVE the raised table and if I put the small table there I can open the closet
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[Jan Steinman]

[jimf909]

This magnet (see prev. page) has worked swimmingly since 2019 for me, nothing has broken after hundreds(?) of cycles. I believe I tried the round magnets and didn't get enough stick-to-it-ive-ness with them. I don't believe the table has ever released from this magnet in my high-speed slalom runs on the skid pad.

p.s. I wish the straps I screwed to the table looked better but I haven't noticed them in years...until looking at that post.

Oy! I paid $8.76 for it back in 2019.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013L36SXA/ref=p...15e690da65

[kamzcab86]

[Sodo]

I need a better solution, mine (on p1) works “ok”, but is just barely strong enough.
The simplicity of the magnet as a holder still appeals to me.
I might try larger magnets (3/8 diameter).
But if that doesn’t work maybe try something like jimf909.

Regarding those neodymium magnets screwed to the wall.
They don’t break at the screw hole?
Neodymium is brittle as glass.
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[Klister]

[quote="jimf909"]I was researching the adjustable table height mod and saw this about the magnets. I too tried small magnets but they didn't hold 100% of the time so I added a much bigger magnet, screwed into the c-pillar with a metal strip on the table. This has held 100% of the time for about a year.

Neodymium magnet...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013L36SXA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Screwed to the c-pillar

Metal strap on the table

Thanks for suggestion. Installed- works great.

[HORIZONSRB]

Thank you all! This is a great addition/modification. I just did it with PVC pipe 3/4 in, and covered it with a closet rod plastic cover that I had lying around to get it to just about the right diameter.

[jefhaz]

[spitsnrovers]

In reply to Wellington, who asked if anyone had cut the table shorter to clear the wardrobe doors:
Here's my solution
http://www.griffco.ca/VW/vwtablemod.htm
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500