Modern door panels for Vanagon

[16CVs]

Give it a more modern feel. Possibly keeping them out of the way of the windows. Would need to check on wire length to ensure it would reach.

The down side would be spilling into the switches. But modern cars have that and it seems to work.

I would keep the mirror control in place as that is rarely used.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[dobryan]

I like what you asre doing.

All my buses have seats with armrests so armrests on the door would just be a hindrance. FWIW.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

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[Tristar Eric]

[E1]

Looks better…

Right now being all jacked up on coffee and staring at snowy alps, I got to pondering distance from seat side to cubby area… how to maximize space with someone sitting in the seat(s) and knowing available space for a “non-square or flat” cubby design — fitting both a 110 lb. person or 250, forward seat position and all the way back.

Race seat foam… it’s used to fit drivers perfectly… four Hefty bags needed total, two sitters at the two weights, seated both fore and aft… add catalyst, close door, foam expands to fill everything between seat and maybe a flat, Masonite, dummy door panel for the process.

The foam isn’t cheap, but there’s one way to find max size.

What you’d end up with is “plugs” to measure and determine all touch points on a “non-flat” custom-contoured cubby, then back away the cubbies’ closest point maybe a half-inch.

I truly believe there’s no such thing as “too much storage space,” we use stock ones both left and right — and they’re *packed*.

For a flat cubby, of course much easier is just measuring the minimum distance from seat to flat-faced cubby, which I’m sure you did, but it’s still critical to know how much stock seats deflect *per body weights*.

>>> For thoughts of separated “boxed” areas in the cubbies, or just a sample of general uses in one case, or more than likely, utterly-useless drivel…

Left Cubby, from rear:
— Battery load tester
— Multimeter
— Rear: Antique rectangular can: small scissors, jewelers drivers
— Front: Digital tire gauge, tape measure
— Rear: Matched can: Sharpies, pens, small screwdriver
— Front: Leatherman

Right cubby, from rear:
— Eyeglass cleaning kit in Ziploc
— Bug juice in Ziploc
— Three eyeglass cases
— Two Element E100 extinguishers
— Sharpies, pens, markers, crayon to mark tire flips/rotations

There is nothing in the cubbies we don’t regularly use (EDIT: Except the extinguishers! ). I love cubby storage, partly as I’d rather convert the glove box into a humidor.

Keep developing, and still hope that many more throw down here. Many to most are afraid of “offending” in creative cases, which they shouldn’t be with a pro-run deal. So personally (for my own stuff at least), I always encourage honest input as success can depend on it.

The greatest things rarely come from just one head.
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If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
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AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?”

[16CVs]

Is there enough area on top of the speaker that you could mount your power window switches using the stock bezel?
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Tristar Eric]

Great feedback!

It's hard to please everyone I know. This process is in the design phase for a reason, we want to get it right. For me personally a new door panel needs to check a few boxes. Does it look good?, does it fit the period without looking like something else?, does it cure some of the problems that factory door panels lack?.

Here's a few more pics of the direction...

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[E1]

Man, those look mahvelous.

Taste aside, speaking only of design with the least buyer resistance, the storage space may be a bit too mod strictly for the period — but a gradually-radiused top edge would sure do it.

Have an area for speaker holes if wanted (maybe in stock spot?), with an optional swiveling speaker base/mount to angle the speakers, and an option for hole cutting @ maybe $10-15/hole… and that fits retro, retromod, well-restored, customizable, and usability all at once.

But as I recall, the OP is doing these as molded pieces (“fully-formed and shaped,” are these formed from plastic sheets, or covered, or…???).

Maybe there’d still be options for this ^ look if so… fire extinguisher mount option?

Per the OP, I wouldn’t want armrests. I find those a dangerous way to drive (not so much using the factory flip-downs, but even then…). Same with cup holders, regardless of popularity, personally we use wide-mouth Yeti cups on the floor between the seats. But regardless, we don’t want liquids hanging on our doors.

But design by proxy may still prove to suck for our OP.

Hope this gets more opinions!
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If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?”

[MaineRich]

Here is a picture of my door panel.

[metahacker]

interesting

i really like the direction you are going with molded forms, multiple finishes (particularly with the ability to upholster in fabric), accommodating more storage and speaker mounts...etc

now, since you are essentially asking for critique,
i'll give my honest reaction, solely in the spirit of feedback

the "design" feels more like random "decoration" not something driven by design thinking as it does not appear to attempt to incorporate any of the original design philosophy of the vehicle in any way, it just feels like a random set of elements designed in a vacuum giving a 1996 concept car vibe

it does not feel "vanagon" in any way IMO, kind of like how throwing '98 Supra tail lights on a Vanagon rear end would feel.

i can see how a Westfalia interior could inspire the use of the radiused corners and such, that is logical, but the design as is just doesn't seem like the right direction. the ideas behind it are solid, though.

it doesn't latch on to any of the common design themes for modified Vanagons either... as in the techno architectural military industrial kinda looks...and is clearly not "vintage VW" either...

i could see it in a RAM ProMaster or something..maybe a Sprinter... but not a Vanagon.....

[Rusty84camper]

Here is the sew fine door card I recently installed. It is WAY too thick in certain spots, required some real elbow grease to get it to all clip on and cranks and handles to sit properly. Still working on it. Get lots of compliments in real life about the door cards, some think it's stock.

[SCM]

[Tristar Eric]

Let's address a couple of things. One is design and the other is manufacturing.

Design. Lending or leaning toward a more factory look is a desirable feature we totally get it. Making panels that feel like they're at home, agreed. At the same time incorporating more modern features and addressing the short comings of the factory.

Manufacturing. Currently the options for door panels are aftermarket flat cnc cut, from a single sheet. Basic, boring, but fills a purpose and affordability.
Option 2 is a factory style replacement made exactly the way they were made originally, chip board, glued on vinyl, pressed accents. although the exact materials are not available but close enough for a stock look.

What we propose is a formed solution, because that's what we do. We have the ability to Thermoform the shape we want, add the details and make a more modern version. With the constraints of manufacturing we can only do so much, but a balance of new and old is where we are heading. It's hard to please everyone, and we accept that, but at the same time we are investing in making products for our hobby cars. Having choices is nice, modernizing is definitely a bonus in an older car. Follow along, we love the comments so far.

Here's a two factory door panels, one is a GL with roll ups, the other a Caravelle Carat with power.

On the topic of cloth inserts: Yes this is our intention, a drop in insert panel that can either accommodate roll up windows or power windows. You wrap it in the choice of materials you want.
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[E1]

I don’t know about Yous Guys (I’m still a Packer fan), but am curious just how many vans even utilize a stereo… probably “most” have a stereo (we don’t yet), meaning, any design that trades valuable storage space for a mandatory speaker area that serves no other purpose may not apply to many potential buyers — and/or those not using a 6” round, but using another size or shape, and/or a tweeter, Yada Yada Yada. Too many potential variations to presume a single 6” round — and designing in commitment of that.

VW’s solution of high speaker placement seems ideal to me, as does having as much storage as possible.

I added a second, stock cubby and use every single inch of both. Invaluable space.

Tristar, as a Creative for fifty years (and five months), I am sympathetic to hearing critiques from the masses. I get it. So hope you don’t mind the candor… but that said, threads like this can be equal parts productive and maddening, and why any creations thrown out there like this is like choosing a logo via a roundtable of viewers.

That almost never works, but hopefully the thread helps you anyway. In this case, the more input the better in finding what the majority wants, but the pitfalls can be deep indeed.

It's always a challenge to blend modern and retro. But it can be done, and I do it all the time in my own work.
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?”

[pointillist]

Not the best picture, but my Doka came with very basic vinyl door cards- no cutouts at all. I added 6” speakers at the bottom, and made a fabric panel (fabric over thin luan) to make the panels match the rest of the van and soften things up a bit. Had to add a spacer for the window crank to clear, and a spacer for the arm rest, but was pretty easy and I’m happy with it. I think adding some sort of fabric insert to the proposed panels would soften the look a lot and make it fit better. You could even just have some sort of insert that people could cover in their own fabric too.

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[MsTaboo]

Not linear enough. The radiuses are too large. Any way to add the pressed indentations similar to stock (and cloth inserts to match seats)?
The speaker/pocket looks ok (ish).

What type of materials do you plan to make the panels out of?

The biggest problem I have with the ABS type panels is the hard surface. A soft padded vinyl type panel will help absorb sound.
The ABS panels remind me of the birch wood panels I used in my Baywindow bus, made the inside of the cabin really loud.

If you're thinking molded plastic it might make more sense to just make the speaker/pocket portion so owners can add to existing door panels.
Similar to what RMW is doing but lighter than the steel they use and closer to what VW used.
https://vancafe.com/door-pocket-pair-with-speaker-mount/
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[16CVs]

Maybe dump the vent at the back of door. 88 and newer they are blocked off and I’ve never seen anyone move the door anyway!

Someone could cut it out if they wanted it.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Xevin]

[E1]

Honest input…

Looks great, design-wise… but waaay too modern-looking for vans averaging forty years old. Maybe offer a second, stock-appearing style like Metahacker suggested?

On a Tesla or other new car, they’d fit right in.

On a classic car, originality fits a broader market — as history has long proven by nearly all classic car aftermarket part sellers. Your second design fits the simplicity and era of VW design much better.

Know, too that in public formats like this, people tend to only comment if they love it. Those who don’t tend to say nothing, and that skews if not invalidates the entire process — to the presenter’s disadvantage in finding actual mass approval or disapproval.

Will add that the lower a speaker is, the less it’s heard. Perhaps angling it up towards the driver and passengers would avert some of this.
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?”

[Tristar Eric]

Here's a few renders so you can see the direction we're heading:

Nothing in stone yet, but we really like the idea of a cloth insert. Looks like there will be 2 versions, one for roll up windows and the other for power.

We really need to talk about speakers though. Is a 6" even what folks want? maybe a tweeter next to it?

Version 1

Version 2

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Vanagon/Transporter flares here: www.terrawagen.com
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[metahacker]

a nice appearance with a way to have a real finish - not just urethane/ABS.

an area that can be optionally upholstered e.g. in seat fabric, would be nice

something that looks like it could have possibly came stock would be nice, although some may want the "tactical" (e.g. blacked out, textured, CNC, industrial/military, whatever) sort of look too, im sure.

the obvious bits are what everyone universally wants - generous pockets (perhaps with a divider to make pencils/pens not get lost), cupholder, speaker accommodation ..
many also enjoy elasticated net/ "molly" style stuff

good ergonomics with regards to arm rest integration (some people may not care as that's handled by the seats) ..

door pulls ...

again, it should do all that and not look like a big ugly utility obsessed POS that has no even the least some modicum of respecting the original VW/period design philosophy .. :) did i mention it should actually look good? :)


as for more, off the wall, out of the box stuff......

an optional easily reversable external power window motor that simply goes over the window crank shaft splines, like the old hitachi kits :)

also some perfectly matched umbrellas and inserts to hold them inside the opening in the door everyone jams them into would be a nice accessory too :)

people are already doing it...might as well make it as nice as a rolls royce ;-)