OK, Bj�rn!!! This is the best thing I've heard of in a while for our
Westies. Did you make these hinges or are the commercially available?

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Bj�rn Ratjen [mailto:bratjen@DIRECT.CA]
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 1999 1:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: [VANAGON] Is lifting a Westie bed really this simple?

Lifting the bed is simple if you are transporting only children on the back
seat. The headroom in a regular Westy is limited already. Raising the bench
in sitting position is compounding the problem.
 
There are hinges available which raise the bed in sleeping position only. I
have them installed. This is the way to go. You have about 13cms (8 inches)
above the engine compartment and can mount engines whichever way you choose.

Bj�rn

David Marshall wrote:

>Why hasn't anyone ever lifted their bed on their Westfalia?  It doesn't
>look that hard to do.  Looking at how the seat is fastened in it is quite
>simple - or am I missing something.
>
>To lift the rear seat up two inches would require some 2x4" pieces of wood
>to go on the floor to raise the bench part up.  The "L" brackets on the
>bench that are bolted to the floor would need longer bolts and they could
>go through the 2x4s for added stability.  The rear heater would stay where
>it is - bolted on the floor. This would leave a 2" gap on the top of the
>vent leaving the first real "cosmetic" problem.   The next problem to
>overcome would be the two metal brackets on the engine hump.  A 2x2" piece
>of metal tubing would make this a quick fix.  The last problem would be how
>the rear of the seat would rest when in the reclined position.  I think the
>simplest way to eliminate this problem would be some 2x4" pieces of wood
>and some plywood - creating a false floor that could be packed with
>insulation to reduce engine noise and heat or some storage compartments for
>things like booster cables or other seldom used knickknacks.
>
>Is there anything that I am missing or is it really this "simple"?

Bj�rn Ratjen, Ph.D.
Mill Bay, B.C.
phone/fax (250) 743-7575