On 8/13/04 7:53 PM, "Peter Lackner" <peter.lackner@VERIZON.NET> wrote:

> Hi fellow vanagon freaks-
> To get away from the antifreeze debate fo a moment:
> On both the driver's and passenger's side I can recommend creating two
> discreet storage areas for valuables by  carefully removing the carpet on
> the front vertical surface, cutting out the metal rectangle blocking the
> empty space right under the seats, then creating drawers that slide in from
> the front. The carpet can be velcroed to go back into position so that these
> drawers are hard to spot for any thieves who are in a rush.  And they can be
> easily reached by the driver and front passenger.
>
> Re the bigger compartment accesible from behind the seat, I've got my 2nd
> battery in there with fuses etc. But on my earlier vanagon I kept my tow
> rope, jumper cables and emergency tire filler there - perfect fit.
>
> Peter Lackner
> Santa Barbara
>
I made a similar mod to Peter's but I cut carefully and kept the cut outs
I mounted cabinet door magnets to the top of the compartment under the seat
and mounted the door plates to the cut out piece to match
Then I glued the carpet back on to the cut outs so that they open and close
using the carpet as the hinge
I know this description is hard to follow
If anyone is interested mail me and I will send pix

Cory Sammons
84 Westy
99 New Beetle
Gardiner, NY