Fastening Westy bed to hinges... what hardware?

[Goge]

Hello-
When I bought my '73 it was literally all in pieces. I removed and cleaned the original mustard cloth (it came out dazzlingly nice). Now it's time to put the bed together, and it has been so long since I recovered the seats I can't remember what kind of fastening method is hidden in there. I know there is something metal, but I can't tell if it's threaded or what.

To possibly make things more confusing for me, there was one lag screw type of a thing stuck in one of the holes on the hinge. Is this the correct hardware?? Doesn't seem right.

Help me out if you can, I'm excited to get this bed into my bus!!
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'64 Beetle
'73 Westfalia
Too many kids
Not enough hair on my head
Not enough beer in my fridge

[Goge]

I might add, I tried an M6 and it didn't seem to want to thread in. At least not easily. I was afraid to wrench too hard. M5 too small I think, but I don't have one at hand that's long enough to really tell what's happening.
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'64 Beetle
'73 Westfalia
Too many kids
Not enough hair on my head
Not enough beer in my fridge

[alaskadan]

There is what's called T nut in there. IF its still fixed in position. Problem is they rust and often come loose when trying to remove or reinstall a bolt/screw. Then you are hosed. You have to remove the upholstery far enough to get to the back of the plywood the put in a newT nut . That sounds like the right fastener, maybe it got swapped for a standard one. Try a 1/4 x 20? Dont push too hard lest you pop the T nut free toe inside, then you are back to being hosed.

[Goge]

Thanks for the reply!
So it sounds like the sheet-metal/lag-screw shown in my pic is not the correct one then.
The T-nuts seem to be solid in there. I'll keep trying with machine screws of differing sizes.

-TH
_________________
'64 Beetle
'73 Westfalia
Too many kids
Not enough hair on my head
Not enough beer in my fridge

[vwwestyman]

I don't remember the exact size, but it'll be a metric size if it is the T-nut installed by Westfalia.

But if there is some rust in the threads the proper bolt/screw may be somewhat difficult to thread. If someone forced a different screw in there altogether, then the threads may be all messed up.

You could probably run a thread tap in to clean up threads. Or check out your local hardware store for some fresh t-nuts.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[Goge]

Thanks everyone!!
Taps- why didn't I think of that? I pulled out my set, and it was M6.

I used M6x40, seemed to be about right if a little long. And for the first time in at least the 3 yrs I've had the bus, it now has a back seat!

_________________
'64 Beetle
'73 Westfalia
Too many kids
Not enough hair on my head
Not enough beer in my fridge

[vwwestyman]

That dark paneling isn't original is it?

Looks nice! I like the contrast with the white trim.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[Goge]

Nope, sadly not original. Original was thrashed so I affixed new laminate. It's looking really nice I think, but it's nowhere close to looking like the original.

I still have the headbanger and sink cabinet to fix up, but I'm just trying to get it camp-worthy right now. Too bad it's gotten so late in the season, but maybe we can still squeeze in a maiden camping voyage this month...
_________________
'64 Beetle
'73 Westfalia
Too many kids
Not enough hair on my head
Not enough beer in my fridge

[KentABQ]