Westy Cabinets removal

[vanagonhopefull]

looking at doing the old behind the fridge rust repair. But before I can get at that, I need to remove the fridge/stove cabinet and perhaps the one just behind that which has the water tank.

Is there a step by step guide somewhere for how to remove the Westy interior ? Or can folks post up some helpful hints for someone doing this for the first time.

Thanks.

[JudoJeff]

Hi
It's all in the Bentley manual.
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[michaelasnider]

It's all pretty straight forward, start with the gutter, than the overhead cabinet, then the large cabinet, than the cabinet with the water tank in it.

It's all detailed VERY well in the Bentley, I wouldn't do a whole lot on the van without it.

[campism]

Agreed on following the Bentley. One thing you might find helpful on the reinstall that the book does not mention is to slot the holes in the bottom of the sink cabinet. Remember having to lift it over the disconnected gas pipes to get it out? Once those holes are slotted to the rear you can set the cabinet on the floor and slide it back into place.

Also, bag the fasteners from each component (curtain tray, sink cabinet, tank cabinet) and label each bag. You'll never keep it straight otherwise. Good luck!
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic, tragically crushed by a falling hickory tree in my own driveway and now gone, leaving me Vanagonless and with no plans to replace it, alas.

[michaelasnider]

[dobryan]

[llilibel03]

Resurrecting an old thread because I'm in the process of doing this and want to add a couple more tips.

I'm following the Bentley but I took the fridge out before the cabinet. The Bentley shows doing with the fridge in place. Only do that if you have two people.

While trying to lift the cabinet up and over the propane lines, and having to reach over with the cabinet in one hand to straighten and "persuade" the LPG lines through the hole, I was thinking, "I could never do this by myself if I was trying to hold the cabinet with the fridge with one arm."

Also, the Bentley, as far as I can tell, forgets to mention to disconnect the wire harness that connects to the LED panel. I was lifting the cabinet and getting resistance and couldn't see around to the impediment. I had to put it down and investigate. Didn't take long to figure it out, but it would have been one less lift if they had mentioned it.

I did all this to do some maintenace on the Fridge (won't start on propane) and because the only spot of seam rust on the van was under the kitchen. Of course now that I have the fridge cabinet out I discover the rust is only behind the water tank cabinet....

More searching....

[campism]

[B.O.B.Wanders]

Good luck! This is what I found. The bagging/labeling is crucial if, as in my case, it is several months before you put it back together.

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83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown