Carat conversion questions

syncrodoka · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:18 pm Post subject:

They are there to clear the added width of the molded plactic panels vs. the flat masonite type panels normal vans came with.

87vanagon · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject:

I have AC so I'm just missing the one small piece on the driver side, no biggy I'll find one.

I have one cup holder in mine. I plan to paint mine black with the Krylon Fusion spray paint. It was used on my front grill and works great.
_________________
Nick
1987 2.1L Vanagon GL- Daily Driver

ajdenette · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject:

you need the galvanized piece also it gets rivited to the body to suport the top of the table.
_________________
1985 2wd Westy with 2000 Subaru 2.2 current driver
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=685635
1986 Syncro Doka Project next in line
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732777
1990 Vanagon Syncro Base awaiting body work

87vanagon · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:22 pm Post subject:

I thought that's what they might be but wasn't sure, they are 1.75" each right I plan to fab something for those as I don't have the original spacers.
_________________
Nick
1987 2.1L Vanagon GL- Daily Driver

87vanagon · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:27 pm Post subject:

SteveVanB · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:27 pm Post subject:

Contact Insyncro for the spacers? The piece you're missing is just flat plastic, could be made from anything. I thought about painting my panels too, but didn't want to constantly deal with chipping/scratches.
_________________
91 CARAT

SteveVanB · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:

ajdenette · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:31 pm Post subject:

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

If you look along the top edge of the panel there is a c chanel it clips into.

(if i werent at my apartment 100 miles from my vans i would get better pictures for you.)
_________________
1985 2wd Westy with 2000 Subaru 2.2 current driver
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=685635
1986 Syncro Doka Project next in line
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732777
1990 Vanagon Syncro Base awaiting body work

87vanagon · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:36 pm Post subject:

Robw_z · Samba Member Joined: April 28, 2007 Posts: 983

The rear latch pins were the same on Carat and non-carat models, at least on the conversion I did and the rear latch pins seem to be the same on every Z-bed non westy Vanagon. The pins themselves are the same, however on a Carat they are set about 2" closer to each other(1" per side) and set back toward the rear a little IIRC. This was achieved with a spacer welded onto the frame at the factory which the latch pin screws into. I went to my hardware store and purchased some nuts and bolts, and flat aluminum stock. I cut the stock to appropriate length and bolted it to the two bolt holes you will see where the latch pin is. I spaced it out with nuts behind the bar stock. I then drilled a hole in the stock where the pin needed to be, and held it there with a nut on the back of the stock.

-Rob

PS: I have a pic of it but it's on my phone, I can txt it to you if you PM me your number.

insyncro · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:58 am Post subject:

The location of the upper pin that holds the seat when in the up position is Carat specific.
The rear seat is 2"s narrower than the GL, hence the spacers on each side.
This is due to the side panels protruding into the cabin a bit.

87vanagon · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:11 am Post subject:

Wolfagon · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:54 am Post subject:

I am getting ready to xo this conversion too. I was thinking about a vinyl rap instead of painting, but I don't know how much that will cost.
_________________
75 Kombi Sportsmobile
86 Vanagon GL with Wolfsburg interior

87vanagon · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:06 am Post subject:

The Krylon Fusion paint is great on plastics, as that is what it is made for. I'll post before and after pics of mine.
_________________
Nick
1987 2.1L Vanagon GL- Daily Driver

insyncro · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:23 am Post subject:

FYI: http://www.vanagon.com/info/years/index.htm

All Carat edition vans came with AC standard and all power features.
A true Carat is a 90 or 91 model only.
90 and 91 years also had a Carat Wolfsburg edition available and is best know because it was available in Tornado Red.
The 91 Carat Wolfsburg is the closest USDM van to the Last Limited Edition vans and Hanover Edition vans in Europe.

1991 Carat Wolfsburg Edition

This is a picture of the interior that many would call a Carat, the layout is correct but the van is a 87 Wolfsburg with all dealer options ordered.
How do you tell the difference???
The headliner is too light of a shade to be a true late model Carat van.
Trust me, I know all the little differences and have owned each of these specific models over the years.

If your van or interior parts lack AC pieces it is not from a Carat but from the 1987-1989 Wolfsburg edition vans that had the side table and rear facing seats, but all the power features and AC were options and needed to be ordered at the dealer.

The 89 Wolfsburg has the same layout as the carat but a much different fabric and pattern; diagonal stripes.
It also was the only year that had a factory wired subwoofer in the side table plastic.
I am describing hard top vans, there are numerous campers and a late model Multivan as well.
Some have this same interior layout, but with the westy top they also had a rear cabinet section.

Read Jim's descriptions on Vanagon.com for more specifics.

dylan

simd0ggie · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:01 pm Post subject:

I missed grabbing the spacers as well...

So here's what I did. Very sturdy, worked great. 1.75" thick.

_________________
-Matt
'85 Westfalia w/EJ25, '14 Tiguan R-Line 4 Motion

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.”

87vanagon · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:19 pm Post subject:

Very nice, did you fab those or were they something you found somewhere that worked?
_________________
Nick
1987 2.1L Vanagon GL- Daily Driver

simd0ggie · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:24 pm Post subject:

I just drew them up and had one of the guys in the shop make them for me. 2.5" round stock. Tapped the whole way, used studs to screw them into the original holes. I also put a rubber piece in there to prevent any future rattles.
_________________
-Matt
'85 Westfalia w/EJ25, '14 Tiguan R-Line 4 Motion

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.”

jbart · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:19 pm Post subject:

I am in the process of adding a table to my '86 L. I should have all the parts soon (my wall panel and some hardware are in Sacramento).

anyway, photos are helpful. if there are other threads with photos, please link up. thanks
_________________
86 Vanagon L (present)
04 Golf TDI
98 Beetle (pile of crap)
96 Jetta
88 Jetta
87 Cabriolet (Karman, best vw I owned)
69 Bus (pile of rust)
68 Squareback (loaned to a buddy in college, never saw it again)

Robw_z · Samba Member Joined: April 28, 2007 Posts: 983

This is how I solved the latch pin problems. There probably are some better ways as I had to trim the plastic panels a bit to fit around these brackets(if they were more tightly fit and the bolts were countersunk this would not have been necessary).

-Rob[/img]


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