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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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 Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Side step pics |
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| ALIKA T3 wrote: |
It's mostly for bragging rights, it's gonna go at some point on a van project I have, I doubt I'll ever step on it to get in the van especially with Carat springs.
I'm glad I bought the missing inner door plate from VW back then, it's long NLA now. I'll take measurements for the archives. |
Ah! Someday maybe then! My floor is 24" off the ground and the older I get the more I like it! (It's a godsend!)
I'm wary of bashing it on a rock, but I've been mindful in my driving so it hasn't happened yet.
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6360
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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| Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Side step pics |
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It's mostly for bragging rights, it's gonna go at some point on a van project I have, I doubt I'll ever step on it to get in the van especially with Carat springs.
I'm glad I bought the missing inner door plate from VW back then, it's long NLA now. I'll take measurements for the archives.
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Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6360
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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| Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2022 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Side step pics |
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| ALIKA T3 wrote: |
| slackin' at work wrote: |
| djkeev wrote: |
I ordered my BusDepot side step but stumbled upon this parts drawing of a Vanagon step.
Anyone ever seen one? Curious how it works, it has a spring but does it slide or flip?
[illustration]
Dave |
this is the ambulance step. it slides out and is controlled by the door itself.
if you open the door more than half way it allows it to slide out.
there is a bracket you need to mount on/through the slider which may be a deal breaker for some.
I pulled the trigger last night on the GW step.
I'm on east coast and shipping was weirdly high on it… but I had to place an order for some GW specific parts and shipping didn't get higher with the addition of the smaller pieces.
I also looked at a few more modern hide-away truckbed steps, but ultimately decided to keep it a period-correct vw accessory. |
Yes, factory option, not only ambulances.
I have one I never mounted in France, all powder coated.It's super sturdy and well built. The chassis frame actually has the holes where to bolt it 
You can buy a new one from VW Classic Parts not much more than the Go Westy step... You cannot install it on side cladding vans (unless modification of cladding).
You cannot have an extra water tank if you have that automatic step. |
Finally picked up this summer:
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget |
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weisswurst
Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2013
Posts: 233
Location: south florida
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| Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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| mikemtnbike wrote: |
| I just want to know if Steve travels with a pygmy goat all the time. Because that would be awesome. |
Ha! Steve should travel with her but that goat is ours.
Her name is Dottie and she was abandoned by her herd the day she was born so we bottle fed for a few weeks and gave her to our dog to raise.
She has been to a few VW shows already (Lakeland Classic) and was invited to the Beach Buggy Bros show "Buggies on the beach" on Memorial day weekend in Jax Florida this year. She is not afraid of vehicles including loud VW engines (the dog training I guess) and loves to jump into any car I start up around here to go for a ride. Here is a pic of her walking at the show with her adopted "mom dog"....
and one at the lakeland classic 2019
see you at amelia island in May!! |
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mikemtnbike
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Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2797
Location: North Carolina
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weisswurst
Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2013
Posts: 233
Location: south florida
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| Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:41 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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[quote="Steve M."
Two images of the "Ambulance" step as it was named earlier in the post.
The spring on this step really adds a bit more effort into getting the door all the way open into the locked position.
When I first saw it on VW Classic Parts it was listed for 1650.00€.
Now last time I saw it it was down to 350€.[/quote]
I saw Steve's step in person when he visited us a week or so back to pick up an engine and it was pretty nice (the sliding step I mean)
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Jake de Villiers
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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| Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Powdercoat glossy black Bully side steps! |
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| Gnarlodious wrote: |
| Another shot of the glossy black side steps with the VW Beetle ‘Heritage’ wheels! |
You're not really going to put your gritty shoes on that gorgeous shiny powdercoat, are you?!?!? 
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'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
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http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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Gnarlodious 
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2323
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:56 am Post subject: Powdercoat glossy black Bully side steps! |
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Another shot of the glossy black side steps with the VW Beetle ‘Heritage’ wheels!
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:46 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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Two images of the "Ambulance" step as it was named earlier in the post.
The spring on this step really adds a bit more effort into getting the door all the way open into the locked position.
When I first saw it on VW Classic Parts it was listed for 1650.00€.
Now last time I saw it it was down to 350€.
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Side step pics |
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| djkeev wrote: |
I ordered my BusDepot side step but stumbled upon this parts drawing of a Vanagon step.
Anyone ever seen one? Curious how it works, it has a spring but does it slide or flip?
Dave |
I missed this thread!
Check out my thread as I have this on mine and not going to part with it!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
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Honuak
Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2009
Posts: 521
Location: AK
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| Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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I had a local shop bend these for me. Solid steel. Heavy but I can jack the van up on them and they make getting in and out much better.
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Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2323
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 3:39 pm Post subject: Powdercoat glossy black Bully side steps! |
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I thought the aluminum looked stupid, and after a few winters looked even worse. So I had them powdercoated UV resistant glossy black:
The step collects a lot of abrasive grit during winter, so I think I’ll glue down some rubber, or spray on some of that peelable polymer.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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Just saw these steps on JC Whitney website:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/lund-modular-rock-rail-st...90g651u0j1
They say these will not work without the Lund rock bar, but scroll down and they show other varieties of steps.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2323
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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I’m getting sort of old, and I carry a lot of old people around. So:
When I first took it apart I found this horrible situation (some of you might say this is hardly any rust):
…rather than fight with it I decided to just take the job to my metal guy.
My welder did a solid job but left it real messy:
Thanks to Dave ‘djkeev’ for the hot tip on the flat head 5/16x18 ELEVATOR BOLTS, which allowed me to glue the original rubber footpads down flat.
A view from the bottom welded on dropdown extensions that leveled out the step bar, all painted in Rustoleum:
I had to cut off the long bolts with a Dremel and carbide cutter. WEAR GLOVES doing this! Better yet, plan ahead and get shorter bolts! Notice that I used ⅛ nylon spacers between the aluminum and steel. Not sure why except that I know the metal difference can aggravate corrosion.
Wire brushed the slag off, painted and ready to glue the rubber down:
Pretty happy with this mod. I just need to be careful of sideswiping high curbs.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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| You should grind the Y in Bully so that it is an I instead = Bulli. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 1:09 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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I am very pleased with the step......
Was it worth the price I paid?
The construction of the step is really nice, I do not know the value of heavy extruded aluminum or highly polished aluminum castings but I figure that while it was on the high side of affordability, for one who needs an exterior step to continue enjoying the Van, it is totally worth the price!
Ok........ What about ground clearance?
For sure it is decreased...... Here is a photo looking under the Van, the step hangs lower than the gas tank (2 wheel drive) .....
The gas tank has 9 1/2" of ground clearance..... (The tape measure body adds 3")
Here the tape at the step shows approximately 8" to the ground, a loss of 1 1/2" .....
The issue is that the step runs jack point to jack point at an 8" ground clearance. Any off road rocks or road humps could easily make contact with the step mid span.
Just be aware of this before you venture off the beaten path.
Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 1:03 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Entry Steps |
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Now..... I had two problems with this design ....
And.....
A third problem of my creation..... 
First my problem..... I measured in for the 9mm hole I drilled in the rear jack point 1 3/16" instead of 1 11/16" !!
Easily fixed with a redrill.
This mistake made the step angle away from the body and looked really bad!
My Bad.... Fixed!
The first design issue is with the rear mount. They had me install the 25mm bolt from the bottom threaded up into the bracket.
This bolt is intended to supply angled adjustment for the step...... A very true fact....
BUT.....
It ends up that the mounting point flexes when weight is applied...... the inner part of the step bracket is not firmly braced against the top of the jack point!
I think if you Flex this a number of times, the long mounting bolt will probably break.
My solution was to thread the 25mm bolt down from the top to brace the bracket against the top of the jack point and thus prevent movement when weight is applied.
That worked great!!!!
But.....
I now had no lower step angle adjustment!
For now I simply slipped a few washers under the inner bracket point.
It works fine but I will source two bolts, about 15mm long or so, and thread one from the top and one from the bottom in the same hole which will give me the support AND the adjustment needed.
Here is the current assembly with the washers in place......
Now, problem number two was just as heineous but easily fixed.
The bolt supplied for the front step inner mount was too long and jammed up against the Van's frame without yet being tight!
A few washers under the bolt head fixed that in short order.
But, a third design installation flaw raised its ugly head once I was able to fully tighten this bolt......
As you tighten the front bracket mounting bolt (the one with the washers under the head to shorten it) the bracket is pulled into the jack point as you do.
It pulls the step in excessively causing it to once again not be parallel to the body!
To solve this I simply threaded in a bolt, from my bolt supply (not provided) and the head wedged up against the jack bracket keeping the step parallel to the body.
The washers and the additional bolt are seen in this photo......
These issues are not catastrophic and the step is really high quality. I would recommend the step for little Children, those with a bad knee or those who are older.
The step makes entry SO MUCH EASIER.
I will also add a support handle inside the sliding door behind the passenger seat too.
The install is just better if these changes are incorporated into the design.
Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Last edited by djkeev on Sat Mar 05, 2016 5:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
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