but imagine this:  cut off the van just in front of the rear bench seat,
even with the pillars...then cut off the top at the top edge of the
beauty strip...then weld a panel across the front, then a tonneau cover
(or whatever) on top.  if you get creative, you can even make a
shortened rear hatch that works so to leave the top closed and put stuff
in and out, and how about a box welded where the engine compartment
bottom is?  just weld a plate across there, and "voila" instant
underdeck storage.  put a battery there and a brake master
cylinder/other components and use the stock rear brakes, with the
lights, turnsignals, etc.  rig a mount for the inner rear cv joints and
you've got your independent suspension as well, with good shocks and
springs and fairly light weight.  hell, if you do the cutting right, you
can use the forward frame members bent together as a mount for the
tongue...

i love the idea, and will be watching the picknpulls for appropriate
starting points...

bill
'87 syncro westfalia
santa cruz, ca

On Monday, April 22, 2002, at 12:16 , Terry K. wrote:

> I think this an ultra neat idea---
>
> BUT--the weight factor of the Van Body alone unloaded would exceed the
> Van's towing capacity----BIG TIME !!!
>
> Check out mt Web page, and see look at the trailer I pull with my 74----
>
> Loaded, this is just about the Max for size  and capacity of a
> trailer--------
>
> Later,
>
>             ______________
>            |[  ] [  ] [ ]\
>            |    |    |    |
>      ~~~ ~||-(())----(())-|
>
> Terry--
>
>        "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom"
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> http://community.webtv.net/CTONLINE/TerrysHighOnLife
>