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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9603
Location: Western WA
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 Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:43 pm Post subject: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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Another little van enhancement today, a project! Them're GOOD days!
Got tired of stepping on the seat to access the rocketbox. I've been wishing I didn't have to step on the seat for 15 years. And then access got more difficult when I added the ARB awning.
So today I made a step out of stainless steel. It's a little safer too, a better step. And higher, I can reach farther into the box now.
Screwed to the van with four #12 sheetmetal screws.
Tig welded stainless steel.
_________________
'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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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16501
Location: Brookeville, MD
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foodeater
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2007
Posts: 1318
Location: Newburgh, NY
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 4:40 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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You could "keyhole" the holes so that it can be easily popped on and off, leaving just the screws in place. Also needs grip tape on the step surface, your local skate shop probably has scraps large enough to cover the whole thing.
_________________
89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1857
Location: anchor pt. alaska
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:39 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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I need a tig. But welding in flip flops,? I just hear the molten blob sizzling between two toes before it blows right through the flip flop to the floor!  without the nipped corners a brake pedal pad from something might have made a good cover. Good mod. |
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bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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| alaskadan wrote: |
| I need a tig. But welding in flip flops,? I just hear the molten blob sizzling between two toes before it blows right through the flip flop to the floor! without the nipped corners a brake pedal pad from something might have made a good cover. Good mod. |
don't forget the wood floor.
that step should be rounded and padded me thinks. maybe a wood top with rounded edges that thing will hurt if bumped into hard.
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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Gnarlodious 
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2319
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 7:38 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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I would just suggest a piece of sticky traction tape on that surface, hardware store item.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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furrylittleotter
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2008
Posts: 1506
Location: West Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:09 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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Another cool mod!
It's great that you aren't too uptight to put a few extra screws in the van when needed.
Neil2 |
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Pcforno
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 575
Location: Santa Fe, nm
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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| Very nice Sodo! |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9603
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:41 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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| furrylittleotter wrote: |
| It's great that you aren't too uptight to put a few extra screws in the van when needed. |
I am way uptight about holes. Only did this because it's all hidden behind the armrest.  I might change to countersunk though, (this was all done last night after dark).
It's a little narrower than the 'armrest'. Hope it doesn't bother my wife, it's on her side & I will be notified if a problem. But in the past she has expressed concern of risk to the family's bacon as I rustle thru the nether regions of the rocketbox.
I'm a little disappointed in how "heavy" it looks but thats the Stainless Steel that I had. There are no sharp edges. I've been trying to think of different methods but putting all my weight on one step, while carrying stuff with one hand, etc etc etc ....seems like it should be sturdy. I thought about making it fold down, and I might make a new one if it causes trouble. Or maims someone in a horrible accident.
I'll put traction tape on it. It's a whole new ballgame, now I can just jump up there with wet shoes!
| alaskadan wrote: |
| I need a tig. But welding in flip flops,? |
Dan then you need to get one. Great fun! Incidentally it's very civilized. No molten blobs, no spatter, just a silent, tiny glowing orb, heat controlled by a footpedal, that melts only what you want to melt.
_________________
'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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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:47 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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I like the idea, and was wondering how I was going to access our carrier in lieu of a ladder. I'm thinking of a tube bracket permanently mounted to seat base, and then a foot step could then be temporarily inserted when accessing the carrier--this would be similar (or the exact same unit) to the bunk steps folks are using with the camper vans.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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i access the roof mounted storage via the slider windows. open the windows and step on the bottom rail. no damage to the rail, although I am not a fatty. can step up to the slider window from the front door openings, call it the two step.
I sometimes have kids in the back and they like to thrash about, that step might impale them, id consider razor sharp edges to deter the kids thrashing about, but then Id have to deal with blood stains, of course it would probably only happen once, then they will behave!
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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Terry Kay
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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Yea, but that would cause everything in the back of the bus wet & slippery.
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T.K.
Last edited by Terry Kay on Tue Aug 30, 2016 9:49 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50337
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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| I would want it to have a wooden step that was covered with some kind of padding. As is it could really cause damage in an accident or even if someone rolled over against it while laying in the bed. |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9603
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:01 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| and then a foot step could then be temporarily inserted when accessing the carrier |
Removable is cool, I like mods that hide. But I'm thinking in practice you would never remove the step. Being able to pick up an item with one hand and climb for the rocketbox (with no extra motions required) is the benefit I've been wanting.
There is no additional danger beyond hurtling along at 75mph in a 30 year old vehicle with no ABS and no airbags. It just "looks sharp" because it's brushed stainless. All corners have been rounded.
Does not seem to be a problem from the bed.
Its 1/4" narrower than the armrest because the bench has to pass by it when folding up.
With the door open I thought maybe you might hook a hip on it jumping out, but it's not 'in the path'. Actually, since there is no OTHER handhold, the natural ergonomic reaction is to grab onto it going in or out, an improvement.
Looking at it in the daylight, I wish it looked more "Westfalia" (painted gray). Nipped corners & stainless doesn't match the westfalia construction style. Anxious to see what you fellas come up with, and may copy yours if thats OK. I glue some gray formica ontop. In use it does not seem like it sandpaper-grip will help at all, because it's small.
What about building a Westy table mount for there? And just step on the socket? It would fit there, and could be built to look like a Westy table mount. Then your table can be moved away from the bins. But it would be pretty difficult to jump in and out of the seat (with a table on that side). The table could swing outdoors, but would be kinda high for outdoors.
_________________
'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
Last edited by Sodo on Wed Aug 31, 2016 9:05 am; edited 8 times in total |
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foodeater
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2007
Posts: 1318
Location: Newburgh, NY
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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Also forgot to say in my first post, Sweet mod. I like it!
_________________
89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6243
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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Great idea for a common problem. If you redesigned and rebuilt the entire arm rest though, you could add a concealed step that pulled out and flipped up for use. It would be totally stealth but functional.
I just use my ice chest or sub box or step on the seat.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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designer
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2009
Posts: 484
Location: Idaho-but just the tip
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| Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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Sweet mod there.
Just dip it in plasti-dip a few times and call it good.
_________________
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87 Syncro Westy : 2.5l
"It is that annoying, accelerating downhill so I can make it up the next hill in the same gear. Foot to floor hoping I can get out of the way of other cars getting onto the highway." - somebody on here around 2013. |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9603
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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The “old” from way back in ‘16.
The new.
I was always happy to have it but never liked looking at the stainless steel angular thing.....
Made a new step from a Vanagon brake pedal.
_________________
'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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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3019
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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Clever and pretty cool looking!
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7466
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Made a step to access rocketbox (with slider door open) |
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That looks like a vast improvement. May I suggest dressing it up for $3.95? (How is anything $3.95 nowadays$ I'm going to buy two just on general principle.)
PRICE: $3.95
https://www.gowesty.com/product/pedals-parts/4190/oem-german-pedal-pad-for-brake-or-clutch
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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