> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Troy
> Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 5:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: DIY Westy chuck box
>
> Hi folks:
>
> For about the past three years I've been wanting to make some kind of a box
> to put behind the passenger seat. Something to sit on, and provide some
> extra storage was all I was originally thinking about. Somewhere along the
> line I stumbled on some plans for a chuck box,
>
>
> So, over the top or what do you think?
>

That space just behind the passenger seat does invite a storage box of some
type, for sure.  I have one I built for my van that usually contains the
other end of the food chain...Sorry for the crude joke, but my port o pot
lives in there usually, along with my dog leashes, and a few other
essentials.  I have the box sized so that it slips under my folded down
bench/bed and helps support that as well as being out of the way when my
kitchen becomes my bedroom.  It also doubles as a workbench outside the van
and a step, as well as a seat.  I made mine from birch ply and the lid
simply drops on top, held in place by being recessed into the box.  The top
of the lid is also recessed, which lets thing stay put on it's top, which
is covered with that rubber shelf liner...replaceable and washable.

  When I am packed for extended travel I have a rubbermaid cargo bin that
happens to fit the recessed top of that box, too.   I put that on the box,
then run a bungee around the bin using the passenger seat folding arms to
anchor that..

  The space and convenience of that area cries out for a storage of some
sort... A grub box....that's a great idea, too.   Mine usually lives back
where the hanging closet went in a real Westie...