Vanagon gadgets, tips, mods and tricks.

[The Salt]

[1621]

[purplepeopleeater]

Anyone had a good setup for a flip down dvd player?

i've been looking at some on ebay but I only see a couple of pix of peoples installs.

[climberjohn]

[whafalia]

Cool on the awning attachment, I don't like the little clamps that came with the BD awning. Lost it once to a sudden severe gust, awning was off before I could finish the thought that the awning was going to blow off. Your work is better than any ideas I've had.
2 camping trips in the last week and a half without touching a wrench! now I can get back to some of these life improving things. Good discovery this week was that if I turn the drivers seat, which I only use if there are 4 dining inside, the front table situates very nicely turned over the seat and lifted to sink height. Next up is the pvc slider for the rear table, then something to make the closet useful, then something with the under front seat boxes, then the middle chair, then the on-board air compressor, then...

[DWC]

I just picked up a couple of cheep solar walkway lamps from Home Depot last week. ($3.88 each)
While I was still in my Westy just for kicks I stuck one in the hole for the front table mount - instant night light! Also, thought they would probably fit the jack stand holes for threshold lights too.
Charge'm up during the day at the camp site during the day & have some light at night!
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83.5 Westy Waterboxer
71 Squareback
81 Westy
59 Panel van

[randywebb]

I like that window slide stop idea!

Now I just need an awning...
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[The Salt]

A quick and easy way to attach your awning to the Vanagon.

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88 Wolfsburg Edition Weekender

[The Salt]

[Classicvibe]

For those who live and breath the Samba, this is all old news, but we can all appreciate the summarized medium.
I realize that it is all about pictures, so I will add them if I have them, and take the others if someone is interested:

1) Gear Loft
I created a gear loft that suspends goodies out of the way along the ceiling:

This is the typical "Highland" brand or whatever everyone uses for the rear ac deck. When you pop the top you have some great storage.

The mounts I used were there from my rack mounts. It is a top-mounting system from Yakima. Super clean. Here is the outside:

2) Stereo mounting
I was partly frustrated and partly lazy about this whole stereo thing...where to mount what, etc. Anyway, the simple solution was a 1/4" piece of, uhh, crap, forgot the name, but anyway "plastic", and mounted it to the holes on the back of my pre-'87 weekender seat (6 holes). Mounted the amp and ground block and cord routers and I may mount my inverter there as well. Saves you from drilling holes all over, and it looks super clean and keeps everything handy.

3) Camp site leveling and gear caddy
I bought these (un-pictured) levels at Wally world that estimate the inches needed to elevate left, right, front and back to get a nice level sleeping platform. I mounted them (2) on this little jobby, which came from the PO. It cinches up with a small piece of wood in the ash tray slot.

So as a driver, I can just about level the thing without having to get out of my seat and dick around. Works great. I also carry a set of Fiamma ramps and chalks to assist.

4) TV mount
I wanted a full theater system for inside and outside the car, which meant I needed a decent size TV that could work in both areas. I have a thread entitles "structural engineers..." if you are interested.

There may be more, but that is all I can think of right now. I am planning a few more, but I can only think of these:

a) larger moonroof
b) integrated 10" sub (rear seat)
c) wipers sprayers
d) sink-ender (top secret, V2 now in production!)
e) under-cabinet rear drawer (narrow, pulls out when back is open)

Anyway, there are plenty more on the wish list...
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On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[DAIZEE]

hint re bottle opener mounting. I'd say behind the passenger seat because then the door does not need to be all the way open and/or you can leave your bed down!! My brand has twist offs so I keep a gripper handy.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[0to60in6min]

thanks..

Man this is good ..

we should a post like this in the sitckies

[DougR]

Remove the wall inside the closet by the window. You will suddenly have a few extra inches of closet space. The real benefit is LIGHT inside the closet coming from the window that was blocked by the wall. Can people see in your closet from outside? A little bit. But the curtain still runs the length of the window and what are they gonna see... blankets? Besides, the windows are tinted.
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'85 Westy, 2.0L Zetec Bostig Conversion

[Corn1849]

[1621]

[Corn1849]

[kamzcab86]

[The Salt]

[RicoS]

[danfromsyr]

the grey parts are far more eleastic and will have some 'give' to them.
the white is very hard & can crack especially when a split is cut into them,
though a grey T with a split would be more likely to 'stretch' if over loaded or beat-up but wouldn't crack like the white

I upgraded my folding canoe from the brittle white fittings to the Grey for the flexibility. I now float in security with my Foldbote
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