CJ5 Grab Bar Dash Mod with Cup Holders

[DrEvil914]

Thanks Fortwithtx, I used your measurements and supplies list to fabricate my own bar. Can’t wait to install it.

put

[GypsyDriver]

Awesome, Karl. Great job. I'm inspired to make my own.

[xoo00oox]

Nice job with that handle. I occurred to me that one could make the same thing without any welding if you used handlebar end caps and just screw them on.

https://www.amazon.com/Binmer-TM-Aluminum-Bicycle-...ZRSXCYZXEK

[ragnarhairybreeks]

Karl,

Well done. Nothing like making it yourself.

Cheers

Alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

[Forthwithtx]

[chase4food]

[dsdunbar]

Chase,
Yup I get the concern of the torque that every addition of length causes. Unfortunately, my 1989 does not have metal behind the plastic where your track is installed. Mine appears to just be plastic through and through (unless the metal is sandwiched between the plastic layers, ie the plastic is a coating), but I do not suspect that to be the case. I purchased the "backing plate" for the track:
"YakAttack GT90 16 inch Backing Plate" (link: https://www.austinkayak.com/products/9195/YakAttack-GT90-16-inch-Backing-Plate.html)

I dont plan to drill out every hole along the length, but will likely use more than 3.

[chase4food]

[chase4food]

[dsdunbar]

I like the track design. Chase, thanks for the detailed post (link you attached), just purchased the materials and will get to work on it once it arrives. Thanks for making it easy.
_________________
'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin

[artacoma]

I did the Ram Mount with out the bar , here is a lousy pic but you get the idea, the great thing about the ram mounts is the amount of articulation.
I got the 2 hole base that I bolted in with some pop nuts.
The silver thing that looks like a front locker knob is magnetic ball phone holder from Lee Valley , it's pretty awesome too.

_________________
Cheers
Rik
86 Syncro Tintop
2.5 Subie
86 Doka
2.5 Subie

[GypsyDriver]

I agree with the consensus to avoid drilling into your dash vinyl if possible. I have a very nice Swedish phone mount that looks like it was made for the Vanagon ... but I can't bring myself to drill holes in dash to mount it. My dash is also in very good condition.

The CJ5 grab bar on the bottom rim of the dash works well for me. Its heavy duty, functional, looks good, and can accept a variety of motorcycle and bicycle handlebar accessories right out of the box. And many of those accessories look good, especially the higher end stuff. It was a $25 mod that took me 15 minutes and added a lot of functionality. Plus, its easily reversible ... I can plug the bolt holes with standard black panel clips and it would hardly be noticeable. Not so much on the top of the dash. I do agree that the mounting flanges are a little unrefined for the Vanagon, but they're not too bad. I plan to have a bar made with captured nuts as Dave suggests when I rotate back home this summer (I'm in the Army and gone ALOT.) I'll powdercoat rather than paint, too. It'll use the same bolt holes as the existing bar.

All that being said, its your van and you can do what you want. I try to follow a philosophy where all my mods and improvements improve upon VW's functionality/aesthetics/reliability/etc...and at least look close to belonging in the vehicle. I'm not opposed to drawing from the Jeep / Tactical / Other car communities for ideas.

I like the track idea chase4food implemented for his manual van. But I've never really liked the design aesthetics of the RAM mounts, although they're very high quality. And it would seem you need a bar extension for anything you want to attach to it. But, if you've got a manual transmission, it looks like this is the way to go.

[chase4food]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=650590&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

knock yourself out
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡

what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei

[dsdunbar]

Chase4food, goff, jimf909, Dave-

Thanks for weighing in (might have misspelled some of those handles, using smartphone so handles were by memory).

I do actually appreciate the honesty of the opinions...it has given me pause. I would like to investigate the track option a bit further, for as mentioned the grab handle in the OP's location is too limiting with a manual.

Is there a post outlining the track mountains associated hardware? Can two cup holders be installed w/o interfering with shifting?

Thanks.

Putting the grab bar back on the shelf for further contemplation.
_________________
'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin

[chase4food]

The sculpted vinyl covered metal dash if a prominent design elements in the Vanagon interior. It withstood the test of time and till today does not look dated. The folds and raised ridges are parts of form follows function of the Bauhaus aesthetic, devoid of embellishment.

Its rectilinear form, carefully chosen radius of the rolled edges echo the exterior body sheet metal styling and forms a coherent whole. Even the two end caps that you seldom see are seamlessly fitted.

What really amaze me is to see the various derivatives of this dash offered in different versions of Vanagon. The most obvious are those sold to fire fighting and ambulance services.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡

what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei

[djkeev]

Screwing the bar to your dash through the padding?

Bad idea....... Once you puncture vinyl, there is no going back.

It also looks like a low budget add on. Functional? Yes, I am sure it would be.

You would be better served to remove the dash pad, cut the bar so the flattened mount tabs are cut off, weld some captured nuts into the freshly cut ends, drill two perfectly sized holes in your dash pad, run a bolt up from the bottom of the dash into the bar securing it to the metal dash.

A bit more work fir sure.......
But,

Now you have your bar looking like it belongs there and not as a dime store bolt on.

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

[jimf909]

I like your accessory track: it's clean and unobtrusive. It may be even cleaner if anodized to blend in. Also, cutting the anchor screws and using acorn nuts would look a bit better. Overall, it ranks as a better solution to this conundrum.

To me, the CJ mount is bulky and the outward facing flanges are crude.
_________________
- Jim

[chase4food]

I wish someone would give me such un-vanished honest opinion sometime.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡

what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei

[jimf909]

[chase4food]