Better sliding door curtain setup for early Westfalias?

[shagginwagon83]

Not a huge fan of the early Westy curtain setup on the sliding door - the one that hangs off those 4 balls/knobs. Feels clunky and hangs low. Falls off when you try to sneak under it when using the bathroom in the middle of the night.

The later vans (like ’85 and up) had that sweet curtain track where it just slides open and shut. Not jealous at all...

Has anyone come up with a clean upgrade for us early Westy folks? Curious what others have done.

I suppose I could learn to sew and add magnets to my oem curtain
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram: @joannthevan

[VeeDubn]

I sewed two curtain panels that snap together and attach to the rubber window seal with velcro on the top and sides, and with little magnets sewn into the bottom hem. I like having two panels so that I can cover just half of the sliding door window if I so choose. I like attaching them to the sliding door itself so that I don't have to duck under them in when entering and exiting the slider. They fold up nice and small, and tuck away in the cabinet easily when not in use.

[Wellington]

Ho w the heck di you get Velcro to stick to the rubber seal???
I have tried, 3m brand and it just would not stay.
I ended up folding a a thin piece of metal that inserted behind the seal and folded over to attach the Velcro to.

[vanis13]

[danfromsyr]

my ASI has snaps screwed in the corners of the sliding door window and a curtain panel that snaps on..
it's quite convenient and goes on/off quick enough.
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[kamzcab86]

[bertobarb]

I'm with you! The sliding door curtain set-up sucks. I am considering the mod linked below. I really like the way they fit the sliding door.

Alternatively, I might just mount horizontal rods or cords near the top and bottom of the sliding door window for the curtains to slide on and then modify the existing stock curtains to fit. I like the split in the middle, so I would also add a snap and restraining strap at either end. Magnets might be added if necessary.

Good luck!

https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/us/lc4221-curtain-set-5-piece-dark-grey.html

[VeeDubn]

It has been a few years since I first made the panels for the sliding door, so I do not remember why I used Velcro instead of magnets. I am thinking my first attempt was prior to me learning about curtain magnets. In fact, I remember sewing a button hole in the middle of the curtain panel in which to insert a suction up to keep them from puffing! It could be that I used the Velcro to keep the curtain panels tucked in a bit better, to prevent them from hitting the outside of the van when the slider is open, thus keeping them free from dirt and grease from the side of the van and the slider. Honestly, I cannot remember my reasoning from back that far. I have noticed, however, that Velcro these days does not stick quite as well as Velcro did back then either.

All of that being said, we also made curtain panels for the windshield and the two front doors (three separate panels) using inexpensive, lightweight blackout drapes from Walmart, with Velcro and magnets as well. Those are just as easy and convenient to use as the slider curtain panels!