Newer, larger kitchen drawer in older van?

[sphet]

I am envious of the larger drawers on the later westfalias. Has anyone attempted to retrofit this into an older van? I'm thinking of trying to build up a drawer myself from scratch since I am tired of not having enough knife storage.
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1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee

[jimf909]

What model years are these earlier and later vans that you’re referring to? My 85 and 90 both have u-shaped drawers that are not large or awesome.

For knife storage, I sure do like a magnetic knife holder screwed to the hinged lid above the stove/sink. Mine holds theee knives, a bottle opener and another thing or two (sorry, no pics at this time).
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- Jim

[sphet]

[jimf909]

Ive also seen magnetic knife holders on the inside of the cabinet door below the sink. I think part of the solution is going beyond that drawer because it's constrained by the sink/drain.

FWIW, YMMV.
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- Jim

[kamzcab86]

[82westyrabbit]

My 82 westy has the smaller drawer with out the legs going back. Gowesty has the larger drawers for sale. I think the drawers are the same width and you could modify it to fit. I have not done it myself but I am shore some one will chime in who has. You might have to modify the sink drain. Good luck

[MarkWard]

I swapped out the drawer on our 82. The longer drawer just slid in. No modifications required.
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[danfromsyr]

modify the stove face with a knife drawer

from this thread https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507102

[Ahwahnee]

[shagginwagon83]

[SCM]

If I was in the OP's shoes I'd be looking for one of the later model drawers too. But here's another idea for knife storage. Super easy to build if you have a table saw with a dado blade.

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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[sphet]

I thought I would wrap up this post with my findings. I was able to buy a later-model drawer that matches the colours of my early van. It slid in just fine but the latch did not work. I measured it a bit and the latch is installed an 1/8 of an inch higher on the new drawer. There is also a noticeable recess in the rubber trim on the old one. I ended up cutting back the trim on the new drawer to match the old, and unscrewed, slightly bent and then re-installed the metal catch to make up the 1/8 of an inch. It's almost perfect but then the old drawer was always a bit finnicky anyways. My one thought is that I expect the slides installed on the inside of the cabinet probably extend back much farther in the late vans -- but since i store my anvils in the luggage rack and not in my cutlery drawer I doubt this will be a problem.

Comparison of the two styles -- look at that extra space for losing things!

The new later-model drawer

The earlier one with the recess cut into it.

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1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee

[spitsnrovers]

By modifying the sink drain to a smaller elbow, that "U" can be avoided. Photos of the back of the drawer here, down near the end:
http://www.griffco.ca/interest/vw/vwshower.htm
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

[81 Westy]

I am hoping to build the U shaped drawer to replace my '81 tiny drawer. Any chance you could send me the dimensions on the U shaped drawer to facilitate or ease my project?
Much Appreciated!!!
Ron

[vanis13]

[VeeDubn]

1980 Westy - we modified our silverware drawer; added drawer slides too.

[Pchill2]

[VeeDubn]

Pchill2 - Additional pictures of our interior . . .

[Pchill2]

Love it!

PM'd you (I don't want to railroad this thread with questions)
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87 Syncro Westy
Honda K24 swap

[spitsnrovers]

Thank you Vanis13 for updating my old link. I tried to edit that post, but was a long way too late!
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500