structural problem in a kombi

dexta Learner Dubber

1 post · joined Jul 2005 · 4 Jul 2005, 1:22 pm

#379640

i was wondering if cutting the metal parts behind the front seats out of a 75 kombi would cause the car to be much weaker in any way? i have seen a couple of kombis that have done this and they seem fine but maybe someone knows a definate answer? cheers!

Andy Andy\'s Adventures

2,820 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 4 Jul 2005, 1:58 pm

#379667

My '77 has this from the factory, so not all the ones you see have it cut out. From what I have noticed there is a little extra strength in the seat base, as well as a small angle braket from the B pillar to the seat base on mine to allow for the removal of the metal behined the seat. On a '75 it will also mean you can no longer mount the passenger seat.

Don't forget a lot of mods, particularly replacing seats, need to be engineer approved.

david777 Officially Full-On Dubber

307 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 5 Jul 2005, 12:11 am

#380076

Those metal parts help support the 'b' pillar.
When you roll a kombi, the front windscreen pops out, and the side of the van will bend at the bottom of the side windows.
Your head is right about where the 'b' pillar is, and you want all the support at that part of the van you can get.
And also a harness seatbelt will help keep you in your seat much better than the standard lap-sash will! 👍

I'd always rather be in a kombi than a japanese van if you had a choice of what to roll in!!

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 8 Jul 2005, 10:35 am

#381713

I often wonered about the structural benefit from the seat backs. Thanks for posting this thread!

This is purely hypothetical by the way, but how much weaker would the van be if sliding doors were fitted on both sides? I always have an image of the van collapsing like a cardboard box with the top and bottom opened out.

I like the design of the passenger seat 🙂 It's so weird it's cool.

If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

wezley Officially Full-On Dubber

305 posts · joined Oct 2004 · 8 Jul 2005, 1:05 pm

#381778

General_Failure wrote:I often wonered about the structural benefit from the seat backs. Thanks for posting this thread!

This is purely hypothetical by the way, but how much weaker would the van be if sliding doors were fitted on both sides? I always have an image of the van collapsing like a cardboard box with the top and bottom opened out.

I like the design of the passenger seat 🙂 It's so weird it's cool.

Double door buses to exist, there is lots of extra reinforcement in the undercarriage.

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 8 Jul 2005, 2:37 pm

#381812

I see. Very interesting indeed.
Now for my final question.
How much weaker does the hole for the poptop make a camper? This has always concerned me. I always worry about structural alterations.

If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

Andy Andy\'s Adventures

2,820 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 8 Jul 2005, 2:45 pm

#381819

wezley wrote:Double door buses to exist, there is lots of extra reinforcement in the undercarriage.

Do they? Not the ones I've seen (early bay's, pre '72, have not had a close look at late ones). Only the extra bits needs to have both doors (paneling, runners etc).

Andy Andy\'s Adventures

2,820 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 8 Jul 2005, 2:52 pm

#381820

General_Failure wrote:How much weaker does the hole for the poptop make a camper? This has always concerned me. I always worry about structural alterations.

There are a couple of pillars that run across the roof, top of windscreen, just behined front door, just behind sliding door and above the rear hatch. From what I have read VW only ever authorised cutting the roof panel, not the pillars, just like factory sun roof's. The better Camper manuacturers either did the same (small pop top) or added strengthening to allow for the reomoval of the pillar (ususally only the one behind the sliding door).
That being said, many Australian conversions didn't bother with the strengthening and seem to have survived.
:thumb

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 8 Jul 2005, 2:55 pm

#381822

Aren't there some RAAF busses that are double door?

EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

wezley Officially Full-On Dubber

305 posts · joined Oct 2004 · 8 Jul 2005, 3:19 pm

#381831

Taken this morning in Ballarat, I will get some more photos of the reinforcement if you want.

MikeM Buggy Head

1,429 posts · joined Aug 2003 · 8 Jul 2005, 3:23 pm

#381832

That's cool! And looks like ex RAAF.

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57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 8 Jul 2005, 3:31 pm

#381837

Double doors have been an option since the early splits, 55's were the first I think as I havent seen a barny.
They were fitted with belly pans, sheets of metal from one sill to the other to add strength.
as for the pop tops, VW only authorised the ones by Westfalia as they had a small turret one that went between the roof spars.
If you cut out the bulk head behind the seats i think it will still have the hump in the middle as original ones were done so they would be walk throughs.

Cheers
Mr I dont know what I am talking about as I have No Van

rustycamper Officially Full-On Dubber

204 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 8 Jul 2005, 4:29 pm

#381855

Ive got a westfalia camper that was apparently rear-ended so hard that it ended up on its side (when owned by previous owner) and there are no signs of major structural damage (doors all close nicely and non effected panels all straight etc) so they must still be pretty strong.

57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 8 Jul 2005, 5:07 pm

#381863

Thats why VW would only authorise westies.

Cheers
Dave