Cabinet options for a tin top.

[vwwestyman]

[orwell84]

I have a 73 Westfalia and I agree that it's not the best interior layout. The late 70's Westy's were way better. I have considered building my own cabinets to try to improve it, but have kept everything for the sake of originality. Because I have been working on my bus a lot over the years and also use it to transport stuff, I've often used it with only th 3/4 bed installed. I find having the extra space is useful for both camping and hauling stuff. I use a cooler and plastic bins for food and cooking gear. I'd rather cook on a picnic table and get all the gear out at once instead of ducking in to retrieve 1 item at a time from cutsie little cabinets and cubby holes while my bus fills up with bugs. Firing up a built in gas stove in a tin top is just asking for an air lift to the nearest burn unit. I have a Bus Depot side tent if I had to do those things in bad weather. It makes cleanup easier as I can just hose down the cooler bins, etc. I like being able to remove the interior easily for cleaning and to make sure there are no unseen water incursions.

It really depends what extent you are going for style or functionality. It's not either or but filling it up with cabinets that are hard to use can really make camping an ass ache. If I were starting with a clean slate, I would buy, build or have built the most comfortable full width bed I could that opened and closed easily, comfortable, high quality padding and upholstery, really well made with a lot of attention to detail. I would do really nice interior panels, flooring and trim. I might add an early bay table. They fold easily out of the way and are big enough to actually eat your lunch off of. You can still slide 4x8 sheets of plywood in the back hatch. Your already heavy bus will thank you for not making it haul 100's of pounds of pointless cabinetry, countertop and a sink too small to even wash your dick in it.

It won't look as cool as those #gofundmyvanlifebliss folks, but those people park their buses at the Hilton and only use that stuff in the photos shoots. Besides, how are you going to change into your wet suit if you have an entire IKEA showroom packed into a 5x5 space?

[dumptuck]

I am also interested in tintop interiors, I will likely be building a cabinet for mine in the near future. In my case, the full width bed is definitely a luxury. However, since I have an early bay (early protruding filler neck), the rear cushion is just barely too wide to fit between the spare tire cover and the opposite wall... It still lies nearly flat, but just something to keep in mind I suppose. I’ll probably just end up putting my spare tire on the roof rack eventually anyways.

[jonpanic]

I am building a CAD model of a set of cabinets for my 1977 bus. If there's some interest, I can make these available. If there's enough demand, I might be able to get these CNCed and available for purchase. If you are interested in this file let me know at [email protected]

[my59]

We found the set up in the late bay handy as the boys were in a fife and drum corps, and needed their uniforms hung in closet. The cooler has some mystery insulation that keeps stuff cold for days with a frozen gallon of water and on a run home from the Dogfish brewey in Del. To Ct. fits 2 full size growlers in it after we jettisoned the water. Beer was still nicely cool after a long day....
The 3/4 bed is fine if you spoon right.
I've only used the sink as an ice bucket for the blender drinks.
We made the boys sleep in tents, the bus is for us folks that maintain it and make the food. With no stove, all cooking is done outside.
But then again, we are not living in it nor camping for more than a long weekend.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[Quintanamobay]

[scubasteve321]

Thread Bump, e-mailed [email protected] and also curious as to if there's an update on the quest?

I have found a CAD drawing thread for a Vanagon interior and e-mailed Nacho in that thread as well....

I have a 71 Bus interior, complete, if anyone wants to take measurements and CAD it up and am looking to build out a 77 Bus Interior
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1971 Campmobile Tin-Top
1971 Campmobile Pop-Top
1974 VW Bus

[scubasteve321]

JonPanic was kind enough to e-mail me back

I now have a CAD Expert breaking out the file he shared into a 'flat-pack' so, someone can follow the dimensions and make it themselves

Next I am going to have the CAD Expert create a CNC File, with drill attachment holes and all, so I can have a local shop CNC it; he estimated it would be about 4 hours of CNC time at a hundred bucks an hour

I've been quoted 4-6 grand from local carpenters for the build out

Stay Tuned
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1971 Campmobile Tin-Top
1971 Campmobile Pop-Top
1974 VW Bus

[scubasteve321]

I have quite a few tabs open and e-mails sent out; excited to share with you all a compiled list of the information, lots of it out there but it can certainly be a bit here and there as it were

On a similar vein; does anyone have a link, or two, or three, of preferred ways to attach the cabinetry to the bus?
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1971 Campmobile Tin-Top
1971 Campmobile Pop-Top
1974 VW Bus

[HoboBus]

[Brian]

Hobo with the superior early bay camping setup
The late bay setup is nice, but having the table on the driver's side is where its at.
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Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

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