more efficient storage in a hardtop non-weekender

[childofthewind]

hey, all. ok. i have a 1987 1/2 manual wolfsburg: hardtop, table, z bed. i will be doing a lot of traveling and camping in this thing in the coming months. i currently have one rear facing jump seat; i took the other out and put a little plastic shelving/drawer unit there for storage. what i'm wondering is this: have any of you installed some cabinetry from a westy or weekender to something like this? more specifically, i'd like to have some storage space in the rear, where i do believe the weekender has a closet (on the driver's side). could i just screw one onto the van back there? i have a z-bed. although it's comfy and big, i would love to have some storage on the side. should i pull it out and put in a smaller (westy?) bed? i maybe just need some ideas...hear what others have done. just brainstorming to see how more efficient i can be with the space i have. in all honesty a weekender model hardtop would have been better for me but esther is who i have and i love her.

thank you, thank you.
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1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville

[IrideWheelies]

This thread shows a very innovative and unique layout for a weekender but unfortuanately, the pic links are broken http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=312119&highlight=westender

Maybe the original author or the current owner of the van can repair some of the links or repost the pictures. It's a really amazing interior.

Basically, he mounted a westy bed against the drivers side, rather than the passenger side, then made some storage cabinets in the passenger side rear with an all electric refer facing forward.

The fold out table is still usable while the refer can be accessed from the outside - brilliant!
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89' Dove Blue Syncro Hightop

[IrideWheelies]

ok, I found one pic of it in fairweather's photos.

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89' Dove Blue Syncro Hightop

[childofthewind]

wow... that's pretty sweet. love the idea of just swapping which sides to put the bed on so the table can still be functional. man, though... what a project...
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1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville

[IdahoDoug]

How much storage do you think you need? And what will you be carrying - heavy food, or lighter clothing and outdoor gear?

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[0to60in6min]

hi,

I put a rear cargo carrier... then later I will add a Thule style box on the top. Look at the white vanagon on this thread..

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=439045&start=20

[Vango Conversions]

I have an 87 wolfsburg too and I've been thinking about the storage issue as well.

Some of the bay window campers had a cabinet just behind the front passenger seat. They were pretty neat and had a little table that flipped out and sticks out the door. This would be a great place to have a camp stove or do some other food prep, so you have standing room and most of the cooking mess and smells stays outside. I'm thinking about trying to buy one or build something like it.

I was also thinking that some bungee nets along the ceiling could keep lighter gear out of the way , but the van would still look cluttered.

I currently try to keep all my gear in big tupperware tubs, that way when I'm driving, it's all stashed in the way back, and when I stop it's easy to unload and stack, plus if I leave it outside and it rains, it's no big deal. Certainly isn't ideal but I don't want to give up my queen size bed for a cabinet!

[IdahoDoug]

I'm planning to add storage and I've been assuming all along that there are some hard points to use, such as where the A/C overhead rear stuff mounted, and sidewall mounts for rear shoulder belts, etc. My plan is to have storage cabinets that are high off the bed, and mount/dismount quickly so the van can be used for normal daily driving when not on a trip.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[Timwhy]

A samba member from Europe posted these pics of their closet in the van.
I think it's a pretty cool setup. one that could probably be copied.

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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[childofthewind]