Underseat tray project

[simonslp]

First things first... I am by no means the best sambanista craftsman. BUT I was intrigued by the thread on the Rocky Mtn Westy underseat locker

("Saw a cool under-seat storage box today" -
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=374456&highlight=underseat)

and got to thinking of how to build my own.

Disadvantges of my approach are 1. that the finished product looks a bit of a hackjob and 2. that it doesn't lock (unless I decide to install a lock).

Advantages are 1. that it comes at the price of a hackjob (i.e. free) and 2. that it (with any luck) will evade thieves as it's pretty well-hidden. Not that I'll be leaving my ming vase collection in there but it's nice to have a handy hidden spot for the goodies.

Simple job requiring an angle grinder, a tablesaw, a drill, some plywood, some adhesive-backed velcro and about 3 hours.

ps it was my fist time cutting metal with an angle grinder... now THAT is a good time!

[NorBullitt]

Cool. Dont think it looks much like a hackjob at all.
And its very stealthy too...
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1967 Bug (euro)

[climberjohn]

I think your work looks great. Congrats!

Here is a link to a similar project:

Hidden Westy storage space exposed!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=195642

-CJ
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[Christopher Schimke]

Cool project, nice job. The only thing I would suggest is to line the tray with felt (or something similar) to help keep the noise of the objects in there, that will inevitably roll around, down to a minimum.
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[Jon_slider]

I really like your stealth installation

much better imho than the exposed install with a lock

or handle

both of which, scream steal me, Im in here!

[syncrodoka]

Stealth is nice. You did a pretty good job.
I like the RMW idea but the ugly combo lock is a big let down for me.

[simonslp]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys!

I really like the felt lining noise reduction idea (big-up loogy!) and will go a-felt-hunting asap.

Jon-slider, my thoughts exactly on the "steal me, I'm in here" aspect of more visible approaches.

I do like the slider/drawer hardware, the lockability and the "stock" look of the RMW option - just don't like the stick-out lock knob thing or the visibility of it. Maybe a rework incorporating a flush-faced lock and the carpet-covering feature is in order?

[DAIZEE]

something's out there better than felt and it will stand up to any moisture and its inexpensive. It's the non skid soft rubberized material. It can be cut to size and is useable for all kinds of duties. I use it lots of places No glue required, all colors, usually comes in different size rolls. Kitchen bathroom products and sold in Dollarama's and elsewhere.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
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84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[1621]

[ZimZam]

Nice work Simon. That is stealth technology at its most inexpensive.
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'85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa

"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben

[MootPoint]

Very nice, sir! I'd been thinking about the RMW box but also have concerns about it's obvious-ness.

To lessen the roll-around, you might consider adding some dividers to the drawer as well as the sound-deadening padding. I was thinking of one compartment in the drawer space just the right size to hold the GPS, one to fit the pocket camera, etc. If you upgrade your toys (to different sizes) it would be easy enough to simply reconfigure the dividers.
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

[SteveVanB]

[tomkay]

I've been thinking of doing a similar project but thought I would use a hinge on the front part of the seat base. Now, I realize that isn't necessary. Just attach it to the drawer. Great idea. Thanks for showing me see the obvious.
Well done.

Love the stealth!

[Mundopacheco]

Ok, so there is a 'steal me' issue with the RMW, but why not cover it with the existing carpet flap like was done on the other options? Then you have stealth as your first level security and a real, locked box, as a second.
Miguel

[simonslp]

[syncrodoka]

[MootPoint]

[Mundopacheco]

Of course, once a thief defeats the stealth defense and discovers the lock-box, it's time for the crowbar baby! Tearing up all kinds of your beloved's internals, whereas, if there was only an unlocked drawer, the overall damage would be less. It's like when I lived way the hell up in the mountains, next to National Forest. I never locked the house, reasoning that, if I did, I would also incur the damages of forced entry.
I say don't leave anything of value inside the van that you can't afford to lose, or just don't take anything valuable that you can't carry with you when you exit the vehicle. I've discovered that I don't use half the crap I carry on a normal outing. I carry less these days, though it's still too much.