Westfelica

[Rattlenbang]

I've decided to take the plunge and install the main Westy cabinet in my 91 sooper exceed. The plan is to pull the driver's side captain's chair and install the cabinet against the wall. I'm going to make it fully self contained, with a water reservior and a small propane bottle inside the cabinet under the drawer. I'll plumb a small flexible line through the floor for the drain. It will be set up so the whole shebang can easily be pulled for off-season, without altering the interior. The cabinet will plug into the lighter socket behind it for the water pump and fridge. I'll make the fridge still work with 120V via an extension cord, and the propane will come from the bottle in the cabinet.
It's only 16" deep so it's not that obtrusive, although it is a bit high. I tried it in place and you still have plenty of room to open it up to cook and access the sink.


I got the complete unit really cheap at $140.00, which is why I was willing to put up with the nasty faux woodgrain. I was really hoping for a white set. Oh well. With a rooftop tent and this installed, I'm good for a roadtrip. I'll post some pics as I start modifying the unit.

[konadog]

Great project - looking forward to following your progress.

[Rattlenbang]

Cabinet installed today. I have to wait until tomorrow to hook up the 12V as my VW manual with schematics is in storage.
The water jug is 12litres and it's a 5lb propane tank. I've also installed a 600W inverter in it.





It doesn't do anything for storage, except the fridge and small drawer, but that I'll figure out later. As it is I can cook, make coffee, run the laptop and wash hands/dishes with just the one cabinet.

[Rattlenbang]

Picked up a very sweet Autohouse hardshell rooftop tent from a retiree in Qualicum Beach. My Westy conversion is almost complete!



The amount of space inside is surprising; you can actually stand up inside. The tent is self-popping by a pair of gas shocks, has a 3" mattress, and the roof is insulated.



Showing my Westy interior. I think I want to permanently install the ladder on the back hatch as the largest opening for the tent is there.

[Artacoma]

Very nice!!!!

[Rattlenbang]

Installed a Westy table today. It looks like it was made for this van! I installed a removable pin in the leg to lock it in place while it's near the window so it can't accidentally hit the glass or swing out and hit a passenger. Those hand clamps don't work that great alone.




I think I'll want to drop the table about 2"

[psilosin]

cool cool looks like it is meant to be in there. If I had an L300 I'd do it too...but mostly for the enjoyment of destroying a VW Westfailure in the process.

[nvanadm]

Love it! Ever since we went on a road trip with our friends and their Westy I've been thinking about a Rooftop Tent because I was jealous of how much extra room they had.
The hard shell is exactly what I've been looking at from Autohome. They are quite pricy starting at $2500 plus shipping.
Do you mind me asking how much you picked that used one up for?

Keep us updated.

Westy.Delica.jpg (93.27 KiB) Viewed 8652 times

[Rattlenbang]

If you look around and are ready to jump, you can get them quite reasonable. One showed up (and soon vanished) for $800.00 in Langley, and I got mine for $1000.00. They guy I bought it from had a phone call from L.A, wanting him to hold it until his brother could get across from Vancouver! They really are the cat's ass. The Magnollia goes straight up so there's less room, while the Columbia, which I have, has enough head space you can stand up inside. There's actually a lot of storage space inside for bedding and clothes and luggage. The fabric is in pretty much immaculate condition, and the top just a few gelcoat marks. They are expensive but sure show quality. I'm considering painting it to match the colour of the van.

You have to scour kijiji, craigslist and usedvic.

[thedjjack]

looks awesome

what are the final dimensions? My kitchen/furnace is in the same spot but not sure I could fit my bench seat bedside it (need 4 passenger).... and my slide out for my bed behind it...

I can stand up in my van (love the high roof thanks Jay again for all the help)

Cheers

[Rattlenbang]

I don't understand...final dimensions for what?

[thedjjack]

final dimensions of it against the side of the delica (ie how much floor is left so I can figure out if you can fit a bench seat in)

again it looks awesome

[Rattlenbang]

Thanks. The cabinet sticks out about 18", although I don't have it jammed tight. It's 35.5" across.

I picked up the cabinet with fridge stove and sink for $140.00 and table +arm + mount for another $50. Pretty inexpensive conversion.

[jaggedfish]

I really like what you have got going here! The Westy stuff looks like it fits nicely and I'm not adverse to the faux wood grain. The RTT is cool too!

[macro]

and my slide out for my bed behind it...I can stand up in my van

Is there a build thread around for your high top?? I'm mighty curious how you went about it.. (sorry for the thread hijack..)