Show me your in-bus toolbox and parts storage solutions

RIOMX

I'm looking to add a toolbox and parts storage solution to the bus that hopefully will be clean and simple.

I just want a place to keep my tools and essential parts and fluids (extra fuel filter, valve cover gaskets, quart of oil, brake fluid, etc) someplace instead of having them strewn around in the back as I currently have them.

Would love to see some photos and/or recommendations of what you guys have come up with.

- Joe

theadmiral1000 · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

I just throw everything under the rear seat of my 77 Westfalia. No one's the wiser that all the tools are down there.
_________________
Zach S.
71 Ghia
75 R75/6

RIOMX · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:56 pm Post subject:

I was looking at photos of interiors today and noticed that quite a few people with hardtops like mine decided to improvise and make custom cabinets, installed sinks and stoves, and fit a westfalia-style rear bench.

I don't have the cash right now to go that far, but I might make a custom cabinet and start with that.

Klaussinator · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject:

RIOMX,

Here's what worked for me . . . Custom built side cabinet that hides the spare, plus adds LOTS of storage space for tools, oil, pcs, parts, etc. Yeah, it's all in there. The front of the cabinet (flip-down door accessible from the bench seat) houses my power inverter, 12v fuse panel, aux.battery charging connections, and 120v main switch.

This cabinet was built entirely from 1/2" plywood scrounged from here & there, covered with some material from Wal-Mart's $1 rack. The "door" covering the side of the cabinet is actually our table. It locks onto a free-standing base with fold out tripod legs, so it can be used in or out of the bus! I figured, why build a door for the cabinet when I still hadn't figured out where to store the table?!? Wink

-Klauss

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
I have taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money!
____________________________________________
the Klaussinator - `73 hardtop Bay custom-built camper

splitty_smile · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:53 am Post subject:

_________________
---1976 standard bus "The Red Toad" transplanted 78 FI 2.0, Hydraulic lifters

---1974 Super Beetle "Gus" 1835 Engle 110 Dual Kadrons

RIOMX · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:36 am Post subject:

Westy4Life · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:30 am Post subject:

Here's what I've done. Very Happy

Here's a link to all my pics so far...

http://picasaweb.google.com/stephaniedeguire/LucyMorePictures#

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Francis

GusC2it · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

Nice work Francis! Gus
_________________
75 type 2 http://gusc1.tripod.com/1975vwtype2
Old vices have now been upgraded to bad habits.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-Wild-Weekend-2011-St-Pete-Fl/197064760336111

Klaussinator · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:45 am Post subject:

Westy4Life,

That's a cool tool box! Great use of the "V8" hole!

-Klauss
_________________
I have taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money!
____________________________________________
the Klaussinator - `73 hardtop Bay custom-built camper

Tooster · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

I will post a picture, but I bought a rectangular plastic toolbox that fits perfectly between the front seats. I then made a matching (back seats) yellow cushion that I mounted onto the top of the box. It sits at seat level and looks like it belongs there. It looks identical to my stool that sits right behind it. An additional bonus - it doubles as a place for the dog to sit as well.

Ubergoober · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

Krautski · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject:

This should cover the spare parts...

tools ride in the cabinet under the sunkist box, with the aux battery and belts.
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BUS FOR SALE

Klaussinator · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:17 am Post subject:

[quote="Krautski"]This should cover the spare parts...

Too funny . . . Laughing

-Klauss
_________________
I have taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money!
____________________________________________
the Klaussinator - `73 hardtop Bay custom-built camper

Traveling Writer · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:53 am Post subject:

I have a good one I think: I bought a craftsman SOFT toolbag, about 14" long by 6" wide by 18" tall, big central compartment and the front zips open to house a bunch of hand tools very neatly... I keep a full set of sockets, crescent wrenches, mirrors, every daily tool I have for bus work in fact. The best part is the whole thing fits INSIDE the front armrest cabinet. I tip it back, slide the toolbag inside, lower it, and no one's the wiser. Doesn't rattle or move at all. In fact, the weight keeps the center console from tipping on turns. There's a brace across the bottom of the console that holds it in normally, but for this trip I screwed a black plywood floor on as well, so it really looks like nothing a thief would be interested in even if he tipped it over. Spare parts, well those go under the seat of course!
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Cheers,
Davi

1977 2.0 FI Westy
2011 1200cc Yamaha Super Tenere
1976 Feet (they work surprisingly well)

rumplestilskin · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:03 am Post subject:

i use a nice new tupperware container the largest one that would fit betwene the the posts under the seats it slides out easy,its clear so i can see whats on the bottom and i can pull it out and set it down and not worry about it rusting if it is wet or snowey
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currently 71 super auto-stick, 73 ghia, 71 yellow ghia , a 68 square w71 fi, a 77 bus station wagon deluxe. and finaly finaly a 74 riveria with volvo pawer .ITS AN ADDICTION!!!

grimace007 · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

snowy in los banos?
_________________
Brian
68 sedan

Dallas Air Coolers

rumplestilskin · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:44 am Post subject:

no.... i go camping and some times there is snow.yosemite is only an hour and a half away.
_________________
currently 71 super auto-stick, 73 ghia, 71 yellow ghia , a 68 square w71 fi, a 77 bus station wagon deluxe. and finaly finaly a 74 riveria with volvo pawer .ITS AN ADDICTION!!!

TomWesty · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject:

For now I have the rusty craftsman look as well... Cool

vwpieces · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

I haven't used a metal toolbox in years for in the bus tools. I use a Jansport backpack. It's a weekend size with lots of places to keep tools seperated. It is black, hard to see at night & does not scream "tools in here, steal me". So far it seems to work & I have been fortunate to never have them stolen. My neighborhood is not the best either, & bus is parked outside except winter.

A soft sided bag is great to stuff somewhere, anywhere, if space is at a premium when traveling. Generally my bag sits on the passenger floor or between the seats in the walk through. Another 70lbs on the front axle is always good in an empty bus on the highway.
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68 BUS
83 JETTA TURBO DIESEL
83 2dr JETTA 16V
81 Turbo Diesel Jabbit

RIOMX · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. Seems like many of you have gotten creative with the spaces where you store your parts and tools.

I've been keeping my plastic toolbox in the back, but until I build my cabinets, I'm going to keep stuff under the passenger's seat. I think my stuff will fit in there for now.


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