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Ride-Fly
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2015
Posts: 621
Location: PDX
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 Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 2:41 pm Post subject: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super-secure that cooler/box/item) |
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Ok, so there is a lot of great info here on the Samba. Lots of great, in-depth, DIY instructions for complicated and simple jobs alike, but you have to do a lot of research and thread dredging, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
What I thought might be useful though, is to have a thread on one step, one trick ponies to help the Vanagon life be better. I know I’ve seen a lot of cool tricks and hacks, but again, I’ve found them deep in the recesses of different threads on how to do this or how to do that. So if you don’t mind, please add to this thread with a Title to best describe what the hack is about, even if you’ve already posted them in other threads.
I’ll start with something I came up with to secure a Yeti 65 cooler. I initially used 3 bungies when I was using a lightweight, POS Coleman cooler. But when I got the Yeti, I realized I needed something way more secure because in an accident, the Yeti would go flying with my current bungy system.
Awhile back, I replaced a couple of rear seatbelts and rather than throwing the old belts out, I kept them thinking they might come in handy. As luck would have it, the bits did come in handy. I cut out the old anchors off the belting and used them to make a secure holding/anchor point for the Yeti. Remove the current seatbelt anchor bolts and add the old anchors on top (or bottom) to the current ones. Voilá!
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32563
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4753
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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K-Bar! have my Dad's old one from WWII and a couple new ones. great gear for camping or wrassling large critters.
say... that fire extinguisher looks pretty vintage, had one just like it. didn't work when i tested it. the powder can pack down in really old ones and not release. Dave and i regularly flip ours upside down a couple times, hopefully monthly, to keep them free. but i'd get a new, bit larger one.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7752
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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x2 re: fire extinguisher... 
I have similar strap setup but prefer cam-locks for easy operation: https://www.amazon.com/Audew-Ratchet-Tie-Down-Stra...ock+straps
Personally, I hate ratchet straps...I never seem to flip 'em or strap 'em the right way,
result being a frustrating waste of time. Must be the Norwegian side of my brain...???
 
- Dave
PS: Dad was Army, so I'm a Randall man... 
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12114
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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I recently used those same seatbelt anchor brackets in my T4 to secure a WBX I was transporting to/from NWCR for a rebuild. Very convenient.
_________________
Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Ride-Fly
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2015
Posts: 621
Location: PDX
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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| DanHoug wrote: |
K-Bar! have my Dad's old one from WWII and a couple new ones. great gear for camping or wrassling large critters.
say... that fire extinguisher looks pretty vintage, had one just like it. didn't work when i tested it. the powder can pack down in really old ones and not release. Dave and i regularly flip ours upside down a couple times, hopefully monthly, to keep them free. but i'd get a new, bit larger one. |
I know that fire extinguisher probably won’t work so I need to replace that one, but I do have a new 5 lb extinguisher behind my seat.
I love knives. I’ve got the Benchmade next to the Ka-bar. I need to find my navy issue aviators survival knife and put that next to these two.  |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9600
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| I used the eye bolts you can get that are threaded for seatbelts. All cast, work great. |
A cast eyebolt would not be suitable for a seatbelt anchor.
You mean "forged"? A forged eye-bolt is very strong. I'm a little surprised you can find an eyebolt in "seatbelt thread".
| dhaavers wrote: |
| Personally, I hate ratchet straps...I never seem to flip 'em or strap 'em the right way, |
You need a lesson then. Ratchet straps are one of the world's greatest inventions and once you know the (very few) simple details about their operation you will come to worship them. One of the details is that when you open it flat, it releases.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Ride-Fly
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2015
Posts: 621
Location: PDX
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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| Sodo wrote: |
| You need a lesson then. Ratchet straps are one of the world's greatest inventions and once you know the (very few) simple details about their operation you will come to worship them. One of the details is that when you open it flat, it releases. |
So true! Ratchet straps are the best. Used them all the time in the C130! |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7752
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:14 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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| Sodo wrote: |
| ... I'm a little surprised you can find an eyebolt in "seatbelt thread"... |
FWIW: http://www.gowesty.com/product/seat-belts/4372/eye-bolt-kit-
I have them too, and love them!
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3794
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 5:29 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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Yes the eyebolt kit is very nice. I built a full size set of cornhole boards and stood them up right behind the passenger seat and use a ratchet strap to hold em up
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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clift_d
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Hackney innit, UK
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 7:33 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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Not sure how you'd get the eyebolts to the correct fixing torque?
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1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker syncro |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15141
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 7:36 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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they're shouldered. they tighten in just fine.
ALL seatbelt bolts are a standard 7/16-20 thread.
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Gordo_89
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2018
Posts: 89
Location: UK.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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I used climbing hangers to secure the spare wheel and create a lashing point.
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1989 Vanagon 2.1L |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3430
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15141
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super secure that Cooler/box/item using) |
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I do NOT see how that would keep the tire secure in any form of traffic accident.
appears that it would launch it into or past the front seats..
| Gordo_89 wrote: |
I used climbing hangers to secure the spare wheel and create a lashing point.
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7752
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super-secure that cooler/box/item) |
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x2...
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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IdahoDoug
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10248
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:32 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super-secure that cooler/box/item) |
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Funniest recent thread cave in I've seen in a while.
OP: Hey guys, share your best hacks.
US: Let's criticize each hack and chase our tails.
Me specifically: Total amusement, no malice at all, I just think it's kinda funny and it's totally situation normal with a bunch of smart, alert types. Heh.....
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3430
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 2:52 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super-secure that cooler/box/item) |
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[quote="Ride-Fly"]
I have a extra seat belt facing backwards in this location to "secure" the cooler, but I'm thinking it might not really secure it in a bad accident. I think your way is certainly better.
My Weekender has threaded holes in the floor for clamps for the factory fridge-perhaps I can utilize those with your anchor method, as well.
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32563
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32563
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 4:28 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Hacks go here! (Super-secure that cooler/box/item) |
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| IdahoDoug wrote: |
Funniest recent thread cave in I've seen in a while.
OP: Hey guys, share your best hacks.
US: Let's criticize each hack and chase our tails.
Me specifically: Total amusement, no malice at all, I just think it's kinda funny and it's totally situation normal with a bunch of smart, alert types. Heh..... |
Well...... yes and no.
When securing items to stay in place there are amazing forces at work in an accident that many fail to recognize.
That tire? Its a giant hinge, it needs to be secured not only from front and rear movement but also movement off the floor.
It is far better to learn this now while healthy and whole rather than later after the tire removes your head.
I'd view this as an teachable moment rather than as a criticism.
I know that I'm always happy to learn from members here which is why I post photos like I do. There is tremendous knowledge on the site! I've been corrected more than a few times over the years.
I also share my "Oops! Don't do this moments" to help others who follow after doing the same tadks.
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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