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_Twinkie_
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2007
Posts: 51
Location: Virginia Beach, VA (Cali Transplant!)
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 Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:50 am Post subject: '72 Westy: Converting from Cot to Full Bed? |
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Just exploring the possibilities of removing the cot in the pop-top sleeping area with a bed that would sleep two...
I always liked the bed up top, but how would I go about swapping one for the other? Anyone done this, or have any ideas?
Was this where I was s'posed to be paying attention in metal and woodshops in junior high? =)
Dug
www.great-escape-tours.com |
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ccpalmer
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2006
Posts: 3851
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:48 am Post subject: |
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Yes, you should have paid more attention.
Converting to a double bed upstairs would be a MAJOR project to do right. Look at a late Bay Westy - the roof is cut out and plywood put in. Maybe if you had been a carpenter and a body man for 10 years it would be easy.
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'71 Westy |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52672
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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duke geren
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2003
Posts: 59
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:35 am Post subject: |
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Help or don't. Sarcasm isn't necessary.
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'78 Sage Green Westy "Kermit"
'77 Sage Green Westy "Kermit Mk II"
'71 Marina Blue Squareback "Baby Blue" |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52672
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:43 am Post subject: |
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Not trying to be a prick, this question comes up every month or so and if you follow the posting rules there's a good chance you could hit it with a search first.
Almost approaching sticky status.
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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_Twinkie_
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2007
Posts: 51
Location: Virginia Beach, VA (Cali Transplant!)
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:31 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the links, I actually tried 'search' and didn't see them.
Sarcasm pretty much sucks all the way around, it really is the most ignorant type of "humor."
As a new person to the site, your patience would be appreciated.
Again, thanks for the links. |
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_Twinkie_
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2007
Posts: 51
Location: Virginia Beach, VA (Cali Transplant!)
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:33 am Post subject: |
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| ccpalmer wrote: |
Yes, you should have paid more attention.
Converting to a double bed upstairs would be a MAJOR project to do right. Look at a late Bay Westy - the roof is cut out and plywood put in. Maybe if you had been a carpenter and a body man for 10 years it would be easy. |
Actually hit on a design idea that would keep the integrity intact. I'll post with pictures later in the Fall when I am able to tackle the project. |
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camit34
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2006
Posts: 1567
Location: Chula Vista, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:57 am Post subject: |
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| DugsBus wrote: |
| Actually hit on a design idea that would keep the integrity intact. I'll post with pictures later in the Fall when I am able to tackle the project. |
Please do...
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In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD)
1965 Bug (SOLD) |
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 3184
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: '72 Westy: Converting from Cot to Full Bed? |
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| DugsBus wrote: |
| ccpalmer wrote: |
Yes, you should have paid more attention.
Converting to a double bed upstairs would be a MAJOR project to do right. Look at a late Bay Westy - the roof is cut out and plywood put in. Maybe if you had been a carpenter and a body man for 10 years it would be easy. |
Actually hit on a design idea that would keep the integrity intact. I'll post with pictures later in the Fall when I am able to tackle the project. |
Try looking at the British specification, pre-1974, VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental, with front-hinged pop top, which has the factory-fitted, full-width, plywood based, roof bed, which did not involve any cutting of the steel or GRP roofs.
My own British specification, early-1973 model-year, VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental, has this setup.
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52672
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:46 am Post subject: |
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How about some pictures Nigel ?
Pleeeease 
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 3184
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:52 am Post subject: '72 Westy: Converting from Cot to Full Bed? |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
How about some pictures Nigel ?
Pleeeease |
Sorry, that's not practical at the moment. The vehicle is in my garage, without its engine, for the foreseeable future.
If I pushed it out to take photographs, I wouldn't be able to push it back up the slope, to get it back in the garage.
I have for some time, wanted to take some similar photographs, for my forthcoming article, in VW Camper & Commercial magazine, showing my gas-spring assisted pop top upgrade, but that too will have to wait!
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52672
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:47 am Post subject: |
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Why must you tease us so ??? 
If I was closer I'd come help push, that bed setup is something we would all love to see.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 3184
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:36 am Post subject: Retro-fitting a pre-1974 Westfalia, plywood-based, roof bed |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
Why must you tease us so ???
If I was closer I'd come help push, that bed setup is something we would all love to see. |
I wouldn't go out of my way to tease you about this, knowing how deprived pre-1974 Westfalia owners are in the USA, having to make do with folding canvas cots, instead of proper beds!
For the foreseeable future, the best I could do, was to post this excerpt, from the British specification, 1973 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental, campervan handbook, showing the upholstered, plywood-based, elevating-roof bed, which was used instead of a folding canvas cot, as were fitted to USA specification vehicles.
The bed has a quoted maximum payload of 180 pounds (i.e. 81 kg). Hence, it's only suitable for two pre-teenage children or one adult. As a 5'10½" (i.e. 1·79 m) tall and 9~9½ stone (i.e. 126~133 pounds or 57~60 kg) weight adult, I commonly used this bed in the past.
I think the plywood base, is about ½ inch (i.e. 12·7 mm) thick and the upholstery, about 1 inch (i.e. 25·4 mm) thick.
The plywood base, is hinged at the front, so that it can be raised to give interior headroom, when the bed is not needed for sleeping. In the raised position, it is supported by the rubber roof-fastening toggles, which are normaly used to hold the elevating roof down, when driving.
Carole Fell-Smith, in Kent, England, who also owns a 1973 VW 1600 Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, sent me a photocopy of the handbook, about six months ago; I having been oblivious to their existence, since my father bought our second-hand campervan, back in January 1975, nearly 32½ years ago.
If you send Carole a personal message, she might be able to take some pictures for you:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=90536
If not Carole, I suspect there are other British specification, 1973 VW Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan owners in Great Britain, New Zealand or Australia, who could oblige.
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet |
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52672
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:31 am Post subject: |
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Now we're getting somewhere, thanks Nigel.
Please tell me if I'm on the right track here.
It looks like the front end of the bed's hinges are attached to the bus roof and tall enough to clear the curve of the roof.
There's a couple of the long bumpers (like the roof supports and cot rest on(also truck gate stops)) part way along to support the sides of the bed.
The bent rod thingy at the rear to support the folding sections swings down when the top is down.
I would imagine the front hinge geometry would have to be in just the right spot or the bed would move longitudinally as the top was lowered, popping the holdowns out of their cups and dropping the bed on your head.
I'm still perplexed as to how the folding section hinges around underneath. I see what look like metal supports and recievers on the edge of the sunroof hole but for each side to be able to fold individually it can only have a small hinge in the center for the fold around action. I assume the folding board has a piano hinge longitudinally along the center seam.
Is there a lip on the rear of the main bed board it rests on when deployed or is only supported by the center hinge and the bent rod thingy at the rear? What holds it in the folded position ? Any chance of some pics of what you can see with it folded up?
Sorry for the windy post by my kids are rapidly outgrowing the cots in our camper and this setup is the perfect answer.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
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vwcampin
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2002
Posts: 392
Location: Omaha
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:49 am Post subject: |
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Here is what one looks like from the bottom when installed. Sorry, but the bus is long gone and I can't really remember a lot about how it was installed....
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sxuxrxf
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Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 1338
Location: Oceanside, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:03 am Post subject: |
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The Type2.com library has several articles on doing the swap. Click on "Library" and then choose "bed".
For those who don't know about this site, check it out!
http://www.type2.com/
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 3184
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:53 am Post subject: Retro-fitting a pre-1974 Westfalia, plywood-based, roof bed |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
Now we're getting somewhere, thanks Nigel.
Please tell me if I'm on the right track here.
It looks like the front end of the bed's hinges are attached to the bus roof and tall enough to clear the curve of the roof.
There's a couple of the long bumpers (like the roof supports and cot rest on(also truck gate stops)) part way along to support the sides of the bed.
The bent rod thingy at the rear to support the folding sections swings down when the top is down.
I would imagine the front hinge geometry would have to be in just the right spot or the bed would move longitudinally as the top was lowered, popping the holdowns out of their cups and dropping the bed on your head.
I'm still perplexed as to how the folding section hinges around underneath. I see what look like metal supports and recievers on the edge of the sunroof hole but for each side to be able to fold individually it can only have a small hinge in the center for the fold around action. I assume the folding board has a piano hinge longitudinally along the center seam.
Is there a lip on the rear of the main bed board it rests on when deployed or is only supported by the center hinge and the bent rod thingy at the rear? What holds it in the folded position ? Any chance of some pics of what you can see with it folded up?
Sorry for the windy post by my kids are rapidly outgrowing the cots in our camper and this setup is the perfect answer. |
You are fairly accurate in most of your suppositions:
« It looks like the front end of the bed's hinges are attached to the bus roof and tall enough to clear the curve of the roof. »
That is correct!
« There's a couple of the long bumpers (like the roof supports and cot rest on (also truck gate stops)) part way along to support the sides of the bed. »
There are some steel supports, screwed to the underside of the bed's plywood, which rest on sheet-steel, L-shaped reinforcements, screwed to the edge of the steel-roof aperture.
There are some circular rubber bungs, screwed to the underside of the bed's plywood base, close to the outer edges, which rest on the steel roof and help to support the bed.
« The bent rod thingy at the rear to support the folding sections swings down when the top is down. »
This is folded down, to support the bed's fold-up pillow section, once the bed is occupied by the person using it.
« I would imagine the front hinge geometry would have to be in just the right spot or the bed would move longitudinally as the top was lowered, popping the holdowns out of their cups and dropping the bed on your head. »
Not at all! One lowers the bed and the elevating roof, independently of each other! When one stops the vehicle after driving, one first raises the elevating roof and then raises the bed afterwards, to gain headroom whilst cooking or dining, etc.
« I'm still perplexed as to how the folding section hinges around underneath. I see what look like metal supports and recievers on the edge of the sunroof hole but for each side to be able to fold individually it can only have a small hinge in the center for the fold around action. I assume the folding board has a piano hinge longitudinally along the center seam.
Is there a lip on the rear of the main bed board it rests on when deployed or is only supported by the center hinge and the bent rod thingy at the rear? What holds it in the folded position ? Any chance of some pics of what you can see with it folded up? »
The slightly narrower, upholstered pillow section, is simply hinged (not piano hinge) by two zinc-plated steel hinges, to the bed's plywood base-board. There is no lip.
There are two shaped prongs and recepticles, akin to elongated press-studs, which retain the upholstered pillow section, in the folded position.
It is unlikely that the ISO 100, 35 mm format, colour reversal film, in my 1979 vintage, Olympus OM2 SLR camera, will be sent off for processing, for several months yet, after I have finished the 36+ frames.
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52672
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: |
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So the pillow section is not split in the middle and does not fold up, only down?
To get out of the upper bunk you lift the pillow section slightly and move the bent rod device that hangs over the edge of the hole and supports the pillow allowing it to swing down?
Is the stripe down the middle a strap for lifting it back up?
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
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Duncwarw
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Joined: August 25, 2003
Posts: 3094
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:55 am Post subject: |
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Interesting. I hadn;t thought about having a bed that could attach to the roof and get out of the way.
My '73 has the cot which is now right over the kitchen.
A bed like that would solve two problems. One day....
Thanks Nigel & the gang.
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Redd73
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Joined: March 05, 2007
Posts: 836
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:57 am Post subject: |
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one day im just gonna trade my 73 for a 74 or later. right now all my girl and i need is covered by the bed thats currently in the 73.
if someone has a cot and changes it to this bed drop me a pm. id be interested in buying the cot/frame/etc. im trying to get this 73 back as original as possible for a future trade/sale.
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73 Westy 2000cc w/dual solex (engine code GE) + aftermarket AC |
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