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Bed options
flippo1 - September 12th, 2007 at 12:36 PM

I want to iunstall a bed in my 72 Bay.

The thing I don't like about the rock 'n roll beds is all the wasted space between the rear seat and the front seat. I dont want to install a kitche or anything like that, and I want to be able to talk to my passengers.

Ideally I want the middle seats where they are, and bed behind that. That way I can talk to my passengers, and have a bed in the back, with hidden storage space undearth for my subs, amp, diving gear, other valuables etc. Not enough room for me between the back of the middle seat and the tail gate to fit, so I need to be able to have the middl seat backrest swing up and become the extended part of me bd, or sometihng similar.


Was thinking maybe I could have a rock n roll style hinge in the middle, where the seat cussion stays put, but the back flips up paralell with it to for the mrest of the bed? Or perhaps the back of the seat can be pushed fowards and down against the seat cussion, so that an extension can fold over ontop of it for the bed.

Anyone have an ideas? any else managed to get a bed in their kombi whilst retaining use of the middle seat for passengers?

Cheers!

[ Edited on 12-9-2007 by flippo1 ]


shaven - September 12th, 2007 at 11:33 PM

BUMP...
this info woulde be gr8 as im wanting to do the same :kiss: pics would be gr8 also.
cheers matty


Bookwus - September 13th, 2007 at 01:51 PM

Hiya flippo,

Up in the States there used to be an aftermarket parts producer called Z Products. They made what is properly called a Z Bed. (Many in the States mistakenly refer to any fold down bed - like a Westy bed or what you down in Oz call a rock 'n roll bed as a Z Bed) A real Z Bed is designed for use in a 7 or 9 passenger bus. It works to convert the regular third seat into a bed. When not in use the seat lloks completely stock. Very nice piece of equipment to have in a non-camper bus.


flippo1 - September 13th, 2007 at 04:08 PM

cheers Bookwus. So the middle seat is fixed? How does one fit on the bed if they are taller than 180cm? I'd have to have me feet up on top of the middle seat, or curl up the fetal position.


Bookwus - September 13th, 2007 at 05:08 PM

Hiya flippo,

Yes, middle seat is fixed. No change there at all.

The Z Bed works by making the back of the seat and the seat cushion level with the cargo area behind the third seat. So you have that area also in which to stretch out.


flippo1 - September 13th, 2007 at 05:12 PM

yes I know that, same as a rock n roll bed really. You cant fit a rock n roll bed in the back with a middle seat still intact. Even if it did, I would not be able to lie there without curling up in a ball :( Ive measured from the tail gate to the middle seat, not long enough. Think I will just have to do some engineering to get what I want.


Bookwus - September 14th, 2007 at 12:45 AM

Hiya flippo,

Quote:
Originally posted by flippo1
yes I know that, same as a rock n roll bed really.


Let me ask you a question................ When Aussies refer to a rock n roll bed, are you describing a third seat typically found in a camper? You know, plywood base and removable cushions. Or are you referring to a mechanism that makes the standard Bus third seat into a bed - just as I described the Z Bed?

Thanks from a Yank!


flippo1 - September 14th, 2007 at 09:12 AM

http://forums.kombiclub.com/showthread.php?t=7509&page=3 

this is a rock 'n oll bed.

I figured out how I'm going to do it last night, I'll draw a rough diagram in paint.


flippo1 - September 14th, 2007 at 09:45 AM

The blue lines are hinges, the light brown is permanent structure.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/dtph/kombi.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/dtph/kombi-bed.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/dtph/kombiseatlift.jpg

[ Edited on 13-9-2007 by flippo1 ]


flippo1 - September 14th, 2007 at 09:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bookwus


The Z Bed works by making the back of the seat and the seat cushion level with the cargo area behind the third seat. So you have that area also in which to stretch out.


yes, that length is still not enough for someone taller than about 160 cm to stretch out fully unfortunatley :)


shaven - September 16th, 2007 at 01:03 AM

Bookwus...
do u have any pics of the z bed u where talking about??? is there away of keeping the third seat in & still havin a bed?

flippo1...
HTFU... sleep on the floor or ground. :kiss:

matty


flippo1 - September 19th, 2007 at 08:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shaven
Bookwus...
do u have any pics of the z bed u where talking about??? is there away of keeping the third seat in & still havin a bed?


unless your back seat is very small or something, you will not fit both the backrest and the seat cussion lieing horizontal between the engine compartment and the middle seat. There is not enough room. Middle seat has to be removed.

Quote:

flippo1...
HTFU... sleep on the floor or ground. :kiss:

matty


?


Bookwus - September 20th, 2007 at 12:31 AM

Hiya Shaven,

Quote:
Originally posted by shaven
Bookwus...
do u have any pics of the z bed u where talking about???


Sorry, I do not. Z Products (the manufacturer of Z Beds) went out of business a few years back. Consequently, real Z Beds are rare up here in the States. I have been looking for one for the past couple of years and, so far, no luck. The ironic part of all this is that I live practically next door to the old Z Products Building.


Bookwus - September 20th, 2007 at 12:36 AM

Hiya flippo,

Your plan looks great. I would have a problem with losing my third seat but this seems to fit your needs quite nicely.
Have any ideas on what you'll fabricate the support bulkhead from?


shaven - September 20th, 2007 at 01:23 PM

Quote:
Quote:

flippo1...
HTFU... sleep on the floor or ground. :kiss:

matty


?


Harden The Fark Up... just shit stirring you. love the design of the bed but.:P