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mtnride1 Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2011 Posts: 194 Location: la quinta, CA
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Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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creative native, now throw on that T-3 Techniques Sway bar. You will be amazed. _________________ 87 westy 2wd (NED) |
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Blue Hill Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2019 Posts: 32 Location: VA
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2020 7:18 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Gotta be the cabinets...
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WestyGypsy Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2017 Posts: 1 Location: Orinda, CA
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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My favorite mods.....
#4 - Drivers door grab bar
#3 - Passenger door map pocket (with a slight cutout to allow for opening the glove box
#2 - Rhino design console (https://rhinodesignstudio.com/vw-vanagon-consoles/)
#1 - Converting the upper bunk into a storage area. HUGE! And reversible (sleeping pads are stored at home). A big thank you to my friend Lew for showing me this mod. We never used the upper bunk except to shift everything we were carrying in the back up to the top when camping. Used the existing hardware and put a board across to prevent items from shifting forward and falling should you brake hard.
board can flip open so you can access items without popping the top. Most needed items are usually kept close to the front.
My husband lists his #1 (my #1.5) as the modification I made to the refrigerator door... stock refrigerator door with top 2 inches removed so we could get to the controls. Still looks nice, but so much more efficient. I bought a replacement door to do this, and have the original door stored away. His #2 is the GoWesty wider wheel base upgrade.
Last edited by WestyGypsy on Wed May 20, 2020 4:40 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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letsrig Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2012 Posts: 67
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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WestyGypsy wrote: |
My favorite mods.....
#1 - Converting the upper bunk into a storage area. HUGE! And reversible (sleeping pads are stored at home). A big thank you to my friend Lew for showing me this mod. We never used the upper bunk except to shift everything we were carrying in the back up to the top when camping. Used the existing hardware and put a board across to prevent items from shifting forward and falling should you brake hard.
board can flip open so you can access items without popping the top. Most needed items are usually kept close to the front.
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Awesome! Going to do this. Thanks for sharing. _________________ '84 Westfalia - Bostig Conversion |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7477 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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^^^ When I had a pop-top I also loved this mod. It's amazing what can be stored in the space when the mattress is removed. We never sleep in the top bunk. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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plummerdesign Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2010 Posts: 540 Location: PNW
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Two years back I made a list of mods that make me pleased. Perhaps some photo reference would be useful for those who also seek easy joy.
Yep.
The two mods here are Alistair’s kitchen lid strut
and the RV bay door latches which hold open the two bins (also the swivel table stay, that latch is another fave I’ve mentioned elsewhere).
Cheers,
Jeffery _________________ It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9 |
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erdonline Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2004 Posts: 943 Location: CT
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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plummerdesign wrote: |
and the RV bay door latches which hold open the two bins (also the swivel table stay, that latch is another fave I’ve mentioned elsewhere).
Cheers,
Jeffery |
I've looked online but I can't find the latch you're using to hold the two lids open. Would you mind posting a link or a specific name I can look for? Also on the table stay?
Thanks,
Ed _________________ '85 Vanagon Westfalia
'84 Vanagon 7-passenger
'98 Mexican air-cooled Beetle |
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Vanlife Geek Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014 Posts: 285 Location: CO
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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erdonline wrote: |
I've looked online but I can't find the latch you're using to hold the two lids open. Would you mind posting a link or a specific name I can look for? Also on the table stay?
Thanks,
Ed |
I just bought some of it based on the post and will get it tomorrow via Amazon just in time for installing them this weekend!
The cabinet latches are available in three colors (black is cheaper): https://amzn.to/3ghECmb
Gas struts (pack of four was the only option for next day delivery - I'll find a use for the extras) : https://amzn.to/3cYGvSR
I couldn't find the table stay thingy, so if anyone has a link to share, it would be appreciated. _________________ Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I would think cabinet child locks would do and would be available in various styles. _________________ '87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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plummerdesign Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2010 Posts: 540 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 9:32 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Sorry to leave anyone hanging. The table stay is a child latch. Safety First Spring & release latch (#48447 3-pack) Home Depot.
The RV latches are everywhere, but this set is from Camping World (Ebay and Amazon for other restorations) because they are close.
: )
_________________ It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9 |
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covelo Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2005 Posts: 825 Location: Fairfax, CA
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 9:56 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I may be dense but how does the table stay work? Does it grab the edge of the table? I’d love to find something reliable that would keep a loose table from slamming into the kids at the first turn, which happens too often. _________________ '80 Vanagon Westfalia
'72 Bay Window Westfalia (with 2L AVP engine and dual solex carbs) -- sold in 2009 |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7925 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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covelo wrote: |
I may be dense but how does the table stay work? Does it grab the edge of the table? I’d love to find something reliable that would keep a loose table from slamming into the kids at the first turn, which happens too often. |
It's a two-piece latch. One goes on the wall, the other under the table.
_________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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mid winter Blahs...
anything new happening out there? _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 673
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I'll Bite
The rear disc brakes mod has worked out amazingly
Had to redo the parking brake system as well
Ended up using a 1960's mustang style equalizer as vw NLA
Now it has no rollback while on an incline
Nach the 2.5 subi swap
16" tires
main focus for spring is an aux fuel tank
sound deadening/insulation
T |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7925 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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danfromsyr wrote: |
mid winter Blahs...
anything new happening out there? |
Removed the going-unused Dometic fridge months ago, creating much more storage space... it's now my pantry.
Installed the UniWerks vent Power Pod today:
🤠🍺 _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Igeo Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018 Posts: 888 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:19 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I like this one.
Wonder where its gets 12v? _________________ 1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Igeo wrote: |
Wonder where its gets 12v? |
I just pour a puddle of electricity into the curtain tray when I need it.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749732 _________________ '87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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Igeo Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018 Posts: 888 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:26 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Just realized...that location is right below the stock interior light. So it's probably easy to tap in to that.
I had to get inside the van for this obvious answer to enter my addled brain. To get in there, i had to unzip the cover and go in the passenger side. It was then I realized that the sliding door was open. Has been for about 2 weeks, and with the cover on, I never noticed. Lucky for us it doesn't look like any critters took up residence in there. Around here, the list of critters includes rats, mice, racoons, cats, skunks and opossums to name a few.
You know what they say: I rather be lucky than good any day. _________________ 1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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deadaheadub Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2004 Posts: 787 Location: New Mexico
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2021 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I just put in some undercounter strip dimmable LED lighting in the galley: two on the underside of the "spice rack" over the stove and the cabinets to the rear of the stove/sink, one directly over the bench seat, and one on the roof of the poptop to light the upstairs bunk.
Great lighting- warm white- and very battery-efficient. Love 'em. _________________ Grateful daily,
Ryan
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Past loves: '65 Bug, '70 Westy poptop, '64 Squareback project, '76 Westy tintop "Loose Lucy", '76 Westy tintop "Sharee"
Current:'84 Westy poptop "Ramblin' Rose- Rosie" w/ 2003 Subaru EJ25 conversion |
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Igeo Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018 Posts: 888 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2021 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Care to share your led strip light brand? _________________ 1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual |
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