Yet another design for an interior hatch release/latch

[B.O.B.Wanders]

I like that idea!
_________________
83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown

[The Carrot]

Here are a couple more images with the hatch panel hole cut and installed...

_________________
1990 Orly Blue Carat

[The Carrot]

Interior hatch release was on my winter to do list for the Carrot so I researched this thread plus a couple of others for ideas.


https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=677329

I wanted a simple way to pop the hatch from inside while camping so I came up with this:

The lever is from a 3/4” plumbing ball valve. It is attached directly to the release pin on the latch assembly via a heavy bent wire hook. The red part of the lever is parallel to the door card and about 3/8” clear of it.

I am going to add a threaded eye to the centre of the door to attach a lanyard for closing the hatch.

_________________
1990 Orly Blue Carat

[djkeev]

Contact Kam or I, we can help you out with posting new photos. It isn't the easiest task but well worth the effort for helpful "how to" threads.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[MootPoint]

In reviewing this thread I have noticed that photos in my posts (and many others) are now squelched by $#@&$!! Photobucket because I'm posting to a "3rd party hosting site." Since I can't edit anything that's been posted for "86,400 minutes" and repost the original images from here, if you are interested in any of my photos from the initial post, PM me and I'm happy to respond. Others probably feel the same way.
_________________
1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

[dsdunbar]

I just installed the VC hatch release mechanism (found on the later models ('90 and '91?). I also added a simple parachute cord pull down where the door panel already had 2 holes (about 2.5" apart). I will add a picture of the finished product but wanted to post. This took me about 45 mins, but most of the time was measuring and prep.

I didn't have the tools referenced from HF for removing the clips, but I did have some gardening weed puller. I should have put tape on the end of the tool to not mar the paint, I didn't so I ended up w/ some scratches .

anyways, pictures for reference if they help anyone:

_________________
'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin

[fxr]

I've just added an inside latch using the actuator from West Marine shown earlier in the thread (but without the lock). Although pricey at about $44, it was cheaper than any other lever/actuator I could find.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/perko--non-locking-f...ar--402679

I had an operating cable left over from the discarded bits of the Town and Country front seat replacement. One hole drilled in the rear latch mechanism and a bit of steel corner bracing drilled and cut did one end:

Some cutting and drilling of the West Marine actuator and another corner brace finished the other end:

It took some experimentation to get enough mechanical advantage for Mrs fxr to operate it, but she declares the end result a winner.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[teej]

Thanks guys for putting up those pics of the later model hatch release.
_________________
1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans

[spitsnrovers]

And another version here:http://www.griffco.ca/interest/vw/HatchLatch.htm

An attempt to be functional and look original.

We use it in hot climates at night. On going to bed we put the screen and hatch extender in to get more cool air. Then if it gets too cool during the night, I can just use the release to unlock the latch, remove the extender and pull the door closed - without crazy contortions to push the outside button, or going outside!
_________________
'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

[insyncro]

[madspaniard]

_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

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

[madspaniard]

[teej]

[syncrodoka]

After several years it looks like these factory rear hatch latch with interior release are available at VC again. http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_2086_1324/rear_hatch_latch_with_interior_release.html

[msinabottle]

Consider, o my fellow Sambanistas, this and similar devices sold by West Marine, where I was today getting these:

http://tinyurl.com/236za45

as a better way of securing my rear table to the side of the van than the magnets which keep getting jarred loose.

Ecce:

http://tinyurl.com/37o697o

Now, this gadget locks, thus forestalling dogs, children, or armadillos from plunging out backwards from the Vanagon to their distress... It has a handle that lifts up so that the hatch could be pulled back down, but would otherwise be flush unless wanted...

I think that cam could be adjusted to where it would hit the 'lock release' on the interior latch and open the rear hatch with a simple turn. West Marine has several variations of this bit of hardware. You'd turn it, pop the hatch, then turn it back, and pull the hatch closed when you were done.

Anyone with more experience of the hatch latch have some input?

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[syncrodoka]

[Brickwerks]

[r39o]

[tencentlife]

True to the thread title, here's yet another way, using an $8 all-purpose pull-cable from the FLAPS and a few bits of junk from around the shop:

I wanted access to the release even when the cargo area is loaded up with stuff, so the release button is up high and on the van's right side making it closer to the side door:

The tab for the catch that releases the latch striker pawl works by moving it rightward, regardless of lock position. To make the cable pull much easier (thereby making the load on the cable very small and preventing "issues" down the line) I removed the latch and welded on a lever extension to the top edge of the tab. It has to be clearanced for full movement of the lock, so it extends up and over it:

A bar is added for the cable housing to pull against. It's a scrap of Alu angle, using one of the wiper motor bracket bolts to secure it to the door. The bottom end is shaped into a tab that inserts thru an odd-shaped hole adjacent to the latch mechanism opening:

A small hole in the bar acts as a cable wire guide. I sheathed the cable housing with some fuel hose so it won't be rattly.

The cable wire goes thru the lever extension, and on the other side is a spring and two fender washers (I used an old oil pressure control valve spring). I used a little wiring coupler lug as a set-collar on the wire so I could adjust the pretension of the cable; it's adjusted so that when the hatch is latched closed, the spring is just barely tensioned. Too much tension here would prevent the catch from swinging freely when the striker pawl rotates during closure.

It only takes a light tug on the button to release the latch, but it's in an out-of-the-way place where it shouldn't be pulled on inadvertently. Probably won't get much use but when it's needed I'll be thankful it's there. Now all I need is an interior grab handle so the hatch can be pulled closed from inside, too.
_________________
Shop for unique and useful Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
also available at VanCafe.com!

Please don't PM here, I will not reply.

Experience is death to doctrine.

[madspaniard]