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michaelbteam 
Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2012
Posts: 185
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 Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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| Inspiring "art project." Well done, thanks for sharing! |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 780
Location: Atherton, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:52 am Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Done! .....except for painting the lid (will likely use spray on bedliner) and putting a nicer trim than duct tape around the edges of the box.
_________________
'90 Syncro Westy (Current)
'90 Syncro TinTop
'80 Vanagon Country Homes Camper |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 780
Location: Atherton, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 10:06 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Locking mechanism coming along......
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'90 Syncro Westy (Current)
'90 Syncro TinTop
'80 Vanagon Country Homes Camper |
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0cean
Samba Member
Joined: February 29, 2012
Posts: 863
Location: California
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Slimvest
Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2014
Posts: 309
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Inspiring stuff. I'm always chasing storage options.
I cut a hole in my roof, so I suppose I could do the same in the floor...
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'87 GL w/ Reimo top |
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Steve Arndt
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2005
Posts: 1630
Location: Boise, Idaho
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| Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Nice!
----
Luke:
It's a good thing you have these compartments.
Han Solo:
Yeah, I use them for smuggling. I'd never thought I'd be smuggling myself in them.
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Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 4428
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Want.
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1984 Westy-Ferrari firing at 33% capacity
You Did It Sabré, We Knew You Could! (W Series 2020!)
I drive by the seat of my pants but then get behind on my steering |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 780
Location: Atherton, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Here's the completed metal lid. Next step is figuring out and installing the locks. Ideas??
_________________
'90 Syncro Westy (Current)
'90 Syncro TinTop
'80 Vanagon Country Homes Camper
Last edited by Syncronoid on Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:23 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 10965
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 4206
Location: Floating around.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| Syncronoid wrote: |
After 6 years, I'm finally getting around to having the permanent, locking metal top made for my under floor storage. Lid will be made of 0.105" thick steel with formed over twice each edge, then welded at all 5 corners. Welded L-brackets for stiffening and recessed handles. Having the formed edges providing the thickness for the lid will actually allow almost a 1/2" extra storage height inside than the current wood board as the lid will have no bottom layer. Still have yet to determine the final locking mechanism, but I think there are lots of options.
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I'll probably get around to doing mine in 6 yrs. too!
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 780
Location: Atherton, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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After 6 years, I'm finally getting around to having the permanent, locking metal top made for my under floor storage. Lid will be made of 0.105" thick steel with formed over twice each edge, then welded at all 5 corners. Welded L-brackets for stiffening and recessed handles. Having the formed edges providing the thickness for the lid will actually allow almost a 1/2" extra storage height inside than the current wood board as the lid will have no bottom layer. Still have yet to determine the final locking mechanism, but I think there are lots of options.
Here's the mockup....
| Syncronoid wrote: |
Here's the progress I made today, mostly getting things sealed, final bolt selection and getting the temporary cover cut to fit (still need my sander from my neighbor to dial in the edges).
Cut the two existing bolts out as they were slightly corroded and did not allow enough space between it and the side of the box to fit a nut over.
Silicone injected into openings to seal out dust and moisture.
Rear and front rubber insulation strip to seal the rear of the box where, as a result of the cross cut, left a 1/4 inch gap between the flange and floor.
...front....
Bolt connection. 6 in all.....
Rubber pad cut to fit...
Now just waiting for my neighbor to return my sander so I can finish the temporary wood cover...
[/url] |
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'90 Syncro Westy (Current)
'90 Syncro TinTop
'80 Vanagon Country Homes Camper |
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0cean
Samba Member
Joined: February 29, 2012
Posts: 863
Location: California
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erste
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013
Posts: 460
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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| Great job Rorke, very cool. Definitely something I want to do down the road, especially since you made it look so clean! |
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Rorke
Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016
Posts: 73
Location: Traverse City, MI
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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| raoul mitgong wrote: |
Rorke,
I've got a couple ideas for the new free space under the front passenger seat.
-d |
Those are great. I will use the long drawer area for my atlases.
The foot rest/ seat idea are great. My icebox sits here and does both those jobs daily!
I might build a little cabinet for that spot. This could house the fuse box and fridge plug. I mostly want cut it in a way allowing for icebox ventilation when box is strapped forward. |
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Rorke
Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016
Posts: 73
Location: Traverse City, MI
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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| dlb154 wrote: |
Rorke -
I like the extended below the bench idea of your box and considering this mod. Did you have a shop fab your box or did you do it yourself?
Can you provide the dimensions of your box? Gauge of metal?
Nice job!
Dave |
My buddy who made the box said he would do another for $500.
If you are to make your own, then I would follow the dimensions posted here by Midwest Drifter. but go 7" deep.
The lip is 1" additional.
Lip is 12 gauge.
bow is 16 gauge.
Just make sure there is no twist in the steel from too much heat from welding. This install was simple because insert was dead on and perfect.
My brother wants one and I am going to make some changes. I will also make a template so if anyone wants to do it, they can cut along the dotted line.
I will post those changes too. might be a month though.
pm me if you want my pal's info. |
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dlb154
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Reno, NV
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Rorke -
I like the extended below the bench idea of your box and considering this mod. Did you have a shop fab your box or did you do it yourself?
Can you provide the dimensions of your box? Gauge of metal?
Nice job!
Dave |
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raoul mitgong
Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2009
Posts: 1298
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:07 am Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Rorke,
I got a queasy feeling in my stomach when I saw that floor cut. Brave. It turned out really great. Well done.
I've got a couple ideas for the new free space under the front passenger seat.
-A long sliding drawer. It would be a bonus if the Westfalia cabinet color, trim, and hinge could be duplicated here. Some metal work required but nothing compared to what you've already done.
-A slide out for a foot rest while the seat is swiveled 180. I always find a cooler or box to set there when I'm lounging in the passenger seat.
-A slide out seat. Could be handy for short shuttling of people when you have more than 4 bodies.
All three of these ideas could possibly be made into one. Very inspiring work. I own a sheet metal shop and wish I had the time for fun projects like this.
-d
_________________
84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim)) |
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alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1273
Location: anchor pt. alaska
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:45 am Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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| Way to jump right in there man good work. This is a project on my list too. Hearing you say how much the passenger side ballast has helped motivates me even more to do this. |
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Rorke
Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016
Posts: 73
Location: Traverse City, MI
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:45 am Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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Just finished a nice 600 miles on the finished version. Worked great. Here is an update. (had to wait to get to a computer for the photo upload)
Installed inverter in back seat and re-installed. (Yes, it has already been kicked on and off accidentally)
115 ah deep cycle in gray.
new optima starting battery forward.
Blue Seas ACR in there too.
Tools aft
Under the bench
Have not yet decided how to repurpose starting battery spot under passenger seat. When I cut the sheet metal out, I will finally have a place for my atlases!
more or less finished...
Not pictured is the promariner 20 charger under the driver's seat.
Also, fuse panel is temporarily under passenger seat. Not sure where it should go long term.
Noteworthy, the vehicle drives great! Approximately 180 lbs is now on the passenger side, in the middle, and lower than the floor level. This was one of my major goals for this project, and the improved balance exceeded my expectations.
Thanks for all the great input on this thread. This was a fun project for me. I never used a sawzall or grinder before.
If anyone is considering doing this, it is stressful because of the giant HOLE, but in hindsight, it was strait forward and simple. |
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Rorke
Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016
Posts: 73
Location: Traverse City, MI
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| Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Lifted Van, Cargo Space Below |
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I drank some beer and cut the hole.
Measured a bunch.
Sawzalled that sh*t.
Dryfitted.
Grinded and filed. Then I leveled with cut q-pad, marine gasketing, and caulk.
Inserted and put in soundproofing. Bolted into existing threading.
Covered up.
I am a little further ahead that this, but I have no pics to upload yet.
Tomorrow, my starter and aux will drop in. However, I need to get some fuses.
Thank you very much to all the guys who contributed to this forum with such detail. I never used a sawzall or grinder in my life. Pretty fun project. Way easier than the damn electrical. |
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