Most people have either owned (usually many) or rode/slept in an old VW bus.
The rear bench seat that morphs into a bed platform is genius and the parts are available to make your own. I remember someone wanted these specific hinges but can't find the thread. This application would make for a nice platform in both L300/L400's.
Cheers
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=98553
Plans and walkthrough on samba
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352049
EDragnDean wrote:Finding the measurements or any directions for installing a rock and roll bed, z-bed (yes I know it is not a z bed, but many call it that), is nearly impossible, and the measurements included are incorrect/not sufficient. Hope you find the informantion usefull (YMMV), and I attached links to two other write ups which include similar information (I didn't find the second until after I was finished, thanks type2.com members for the link).
I made two modifications for my application which I will address and you may/may not wish to do. I wanted a slight recline for comfort, and I wanted an easily removable bed so mine attaches to the t-bolts and the previously installed seat belt mounts. I also made my seat base longer so that the bed would be longer for me. Both attached links show cut out handles, I found it just as easy to use the support brackets to open and pull the seat base forward.
Parts required
* Hinges from Just Kampers (UK) or Bus Depot (US)
* 2 -- 3/4 inch 4x8 sheets of ply -- I used birch from Home Depot
* Bolts/screws -- need quite a few, I used stainless, and longer ones for the brackets.
* 2 -- 4ft angle iron, I used it for connection points, you could use wood etc.
* 1 -- 4ft u-channel alum strip for a cap to protect from the mounts on the front facing.
* pretreatment, stain, sealer.
* Drill bits, tape measure, circular saw, jig saw.
Have you lumber supplier cut the large pieces, it will save you a lot of time, and you will have straight long cuts.
Start with your side supports, this is the only really challenging portion. Cut two 14 1/4 by 16 1/2 pieces and scribe your wheel arch with the jig saw, i used one of my interior panels as a pattern (If you are not using a base piece, add 3/4" to the 14 1/4). Then drill your rear most hinge hole, line up your hinge to make sure your front hole is in the right location and drill the second (if you don't wish your seat to have a recline, drop the front bolt down about a 1/4 inch).
You will be tempted to increase the width of your bed, don't. 55" is the maximum you can go with these hinges, the reason is the bus narrows towards the roof. 55" barely clears my pop out latches, I may have clearance issues when I add the foam pads/upholstery, so you may even wish to go with 54"
Assemble the basic box before you work with the seat base and seat back. Bottom, sides, then front. My base is designed to attach to the t-bolts, sides sit on top of the base, but the front goes in front of the base, for visual. Then install the seat base and seat back.
Finally decide where cross support and support brackets will be located. you will need to measure the gap when flat to get the right height of the cross support. I added a second taller cross piece in front of the cross support to add additional front tilt support. Once you determine the location of your metal support, you can notch the front panel to accomodate the support bracket, this is designed to keep the bed from falling/tilting forward when you sit on the edge.
I cut a rectangle where my t-bolts install to hold down the OG seat, and the t-bolt slides in as originally designed, add a large fender washer and it installs easy.
Instead of drilling another hole and attaching the rear of the hinge, I used 90 degree metal and attached my side plates to my existing seat belt mounting plate. If you are not adding seatbelts, bolt the back side of the hinge, however, don't forget that the gas tank is directly behind that mounting location.
Good luck, let me know if you need any clarification, feel free to add your own opinions or share any critisism or better ideas.
Dean
http://www.aircooledtech.com/camper_int ... d_install/
http://volkswagens.wikia.com/wiki/How_w ... _split_bus
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