Author |
Message |
eche_bus Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2007 Posts: 1318
|
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:06 pm Post subject: New Westfalia sliding door carpet trim ! |
|
|
Just after polishing up some battered original sliding door carpet trim, I discovered NLA VW had just reproduced both the aluminum and white plastic pieces. This was great news - anyone that's tried to replace these knows just how hard it's been to find good used ones.
I thought I'd share some photos I took of the new parts, and over on my build thread, I've done the installation show-n-tell.
White plastic edge strip
$24.99
http://nlavw.com/gb/interior/389-white-floor-edge-trim-for-sliding-door-step.html
The strip NLA VW supplies is 95cm long, so is meant to be cut down to the desired length. The color is a fairly pure white, with a glossy finish.
I'd accumulated three originals, varying in length from 89 to 90.5cm. They apparently shrink as they age, getting all wavy in the process. I figured they were originally an even centimeter length, so rounded the length of the longest, flattest one up to arrive at 91cm. Not a bad guess, as I noticed later NLA VW's website mentioned that as the original length. You'll notice quite a difference in color between old OG and new, but nearly 40 years is plenty of time to turn white plastic into beige.
Here's a look comparing the backsides of the OG (top) and repro:
Here's a photo comparing the contours of a good OG (left) to the new repro (right). At first glance they appear almost identical, but I discovered during installation of the aluminum strip, that they are not. On the repro, the slightly more vertical (as installed) angle of the outboard face causes the rear lip to locate just short of the OG location. This prevents the aluminum strip (that sits on top of it) from sliding back far enough to align properly with the original screw holes in the bus. I had to go back to the bench and use much blow drier heating/flattening of the plastic trim's outboard bend in order to push its lip further inboard. Even then, I had to use a lot of force and careful coercion to get the aluminum trim strip installed. No, none of the OG plastic trim had this problem.
Aluminum Trim
$26.55
http://nlavw.com/gb/interior/390-westfalia-aluminium-carpet-floor-joining-trim-for-sliding-door.html
The repro aluminum trim strip is 115cm long, and according to NLA VW, the originals are 111cm, so you cut it to match what you need. It is anodized, which gives it a dull sheen, but a more durable finish compare with the bare aluminum OG part. As much as I'm a stickler for originality, this seems a good choice for a part used in this high wear area. Much preferred over a shiny finish that would show every little speck! The photo shows my kinda-polished OG part vs. the repro (below)
The face of my OG part is cut at an angle at the ends. The repro part is not cut.
Here's an end view comparing the ribs and angles. OG on left. They are virtually identical in all dimensions.
A close look at the repro from the inboard edge:
A comparison of backsides, OG left/top: Note the repro has no holes. You'll need to locate, drill, and countersink your own.
[EDIT: updated with link to installation ]
Last edited by eche_bus on Thu Nov 27, 2014 6:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
|
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 4:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sweet!, I wonder if the plastic for the headsplitter beam is next? _________________ 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!
Слава Україні! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
eche_bus Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2007 Posts: 1318
|
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 6:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Could be - they seem to have quite a few parts now on the Westy section of their website that I haven't seen anywhere else. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
EZ Gruv King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002 Posts: 8544 Location: Las Vegas
|
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 12:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
busdaddy wrote: |
Sweet!, I wonder if the plastic for the headsplitter beam is next? |
This, please. _________________ Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
obieoberstar Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 1126 Location: Tucson
|
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 6:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
x2 on the head splitter rubber trim. I think everyone needs one. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vworwhat Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2009 Posts: 195 Location: Denmark
|
Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 7:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
Would somebody be kind enough to measure the dimensions of the OG trim for me? Its about 111cm long, but how wide are the 2 sides) Thanks a lotC! _________________ Westfalia Helsinki 6/77
Winter bus 5/74
Earlybay 7 seater deluxe 11/69
Type3 9/63 1500N M264 panel |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Keith Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2005 Posts: 3635 Location: Brodheadsville, PA
|
Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 9:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
obieoberstar wrote: |
x2 on the head splitter rubber trim. I think everyone needs one. |
X 1,000!! I have been looking EVERYWHERE for a replacement or reasonable substitute, even considered having something CNC made out of plastic. Such a simple part that is such a HUGE headache to find. I hope they read this and make it for us. The fact that they reproduced those threshold parts is amazing and gives me hope. _________________ Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"
"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty
"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind |
|
Back to top |
|
|
DaleNW Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2012 Posts: 169 Location: Boulder, CO
|
Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 10:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
Anyone ever seen the all aluminum version? Goes in place of the plastic part. It is how they are on the vanagons, but I have one that is made for the bay sliding door threshold. I heard rumor that they were from the Champaign edition buses, but haven't seen it on one in person.
I need to clean it up, but plan to use it instead of the plastic (which gets slippery when wet).
Mine is in a pod somewhere between Seattle and Boulder, but will dig it out and get photos of it some time in July.
Thanks for sharing this eche-bus! I'm going to get one just to be on the safe side since you never know how long these are going to be around. _________________ '78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Keith Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2005 Posts: 3635 Location: Brodheadsville, PA
|
Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 10:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
DaleNW wrote: |
Anyone ever seen the all aluminum version? Goes in place of the plastic part. It is how they are on the vanagons, but I have one that is made for the bay sliding door threshold. I heard rumor that they were from the Champaign edition buses, but haven't seen it on one in person.
I need to clean it up, but plan to use it instead of the plastic (which gets slippery when wet).
Mine is in a pod somewhere between Seattle and Boulder, but will dig it out and get photos of it some time in July.
Thanks for sharing this eche-bus! I'm going to get one just to be on the safe side since you never know how long these are going to be around. |
Definitely not from a champagne bus, I have one.
The aluminum vanagon ones can work if modified. There's a topic on it here. _________________ Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"
"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty
"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind |
|
Back to top |
|
|
alman72 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 2573 Location: MICHIGAN
|
Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 11:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
Keith wrote: |
DaleNW wrote: |
Anyone ever seen the all aluminum version? Goes in place of the plastic part. It is how they are on the vanagons, but I have one that is made for the bay sliding door threshold. I heard rumor that they were from the Champaign edition buses, but haven't seen it on one in person.
I need to clean it up, but plan to use it instead of the plastic (which gets slippery when wet).
Mine is in a pod somewhere between Seattle and Boulder, but will dig it out and get photos of it some time in July.
Thanks for sharing this eche-bus! I'm going to get one just to be on the safe side since you never know how long these are going to be around. |
Definitely not from a champagne bus, I have one.
The aluminum vanagon ones can work if modified. There's a topic on it here. |
yours must be long gone. check the rarest of the rare pics and discussion. page 78, second post from the bottom ( unless I am confusing parts) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Keith Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2005 Posts: 3635 Location: Brodheadsville, PA
|
Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 11:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
alman72 wrote: |
Keith wrote: |
DaleNW wrote: |
Anyone ever seen the all aluminum version? Goes in place of the plastic part. It is how they are on the vanagons, but I have one that is made for the bay sliding door threshold. I heard rumor that they were from the Champaign edition buses, but haven't seen it on one in person.
I need to clean it up, but plan to use it instead of the plastic (which gets slippery when wet).
Mine is in a pod somewhere between Seattle and Boulder, but will dig it out and get photos of it some time in July.
Thanks for sharing this eche-bus! I'm going to get one just to be on the safe side since you never know how long these are going to be around. |
Definitely not from a champagne bus, I have one.
The aluminum vanagon ones can work if modified. There's a topic on it here. |
yours must be long gone. check the rarest of the rare pics and discussion. page 78, second post from the bottom ( unless I am confusing parts) |
Nope, not long gone. All original second owner '78 Champagne westy. _________________ Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"
"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty
"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ernie Punkin Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2014 Posts: 84 Location: Hawaii/B.C. Canada/Seattle
|
Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 11:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I wanted a little more elegant look for my sliding door area vs the aluminum trim, so I ordered this stainless steel trim from Vanwurks in the UK.
http://www.vanwurks.co.uk/stainless-steel-sliding-door-trim-for-volkswagen-t2-bay-window.html
They make a left hand drive version. I thought I'd share in case someone was looking for another idea. Not the least expensive solution, but it's an alternative ready to install.
They don't ship to the US directly, but I used a shipping service Forward2Me.com.
Sorry, don't have installed pix to show yet. Hopefully it will turn out well. Will post in fall if all goes well.
_________________ 1977 Westfalia "Happy"
Bye Bye 1979 Westfalia ERNIE the REI Bus
-----
Ion Pod Trailer |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kguarnotta Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2004 Posts: 1160 Location: Woodstock, NH
|
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: New Westfalia sliding door carpet trim ! |
|
|
Is anyone in the US supplying these? Or do I need to order from overseas?
Why does it seem like most parts come from out of the country, doesn't the US have a large majority of these buses? _________________ -Kevin
Lincoln, MA
'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tristessa Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2004 Posts: 3992 Location: Portland, OR
|
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: New Westfalia sliding door carpet trim ! |
|
|
kguarnotta wrote: |
Why does it seem like most parts come from out of the country, doesn't the US have a large majority of these buses? |
Yes, and the majority of them in the US seem to be in the hands of cheap-asses who would rather spend six days and $60 (once they've been back a dozen times buying differnent stuff) so they can half-ass it with stuff from Home Depot instead of spending $45 for the correct part from a specialist vendor.
It's a common behavior of cheap-asses. I see all the time in the hardware store where I work -- same guy in the store a dozen times in a day and dropping $50-60 while half-assing the connections on a lavatory sink. He could have gone to the plumbing supply a couple miles down the road, gotten exactly what he needed and been done well before lunchtime for under $30, but he refuses to go there because they're "expensive"... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hoody Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2007 Posts: 1948
|
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: New Westfalia sliding door carpet trim ! |
|
|
It's less expensive to do it correct the first time. Some people prefer to trip over dollar bills to pick up nickels. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|