If I were to redo my Westy's interior (and I may yet), there are
several things I would tweak.

For instance. I can't lean back my drivers seat due to the stove
cabinet (not that the Vanagon seat reclines all the way anyway, but
even as much as it can, I can't...)

It wouldn't hurt to redo the cabinet, with a bit of an offset towards
the top so as to relocate it back about 3 inches.

As to materials, solid woods would usually be heavier than the plywoods
(though there are exceptions). As stand suggests, though, you can do
layer real wood with plywood and get the beauty and still have a good
weight savings. You'll also get the strength advantages of the plywood
and will likely have less chance of splitting of the solid wood.

I don't need another project right now, otherwise I'd have to seriously
start drafting up something...

Kim Brennan
86 Syncro. 91 Westy Syncro. 90 Tristar
Vienna VA. Sugar Grove WV.