Single cab Treasure chest Door Graft

[aspro]

Hey All

Anyone know of anyone who has successfully cut and grafted a treasure chest door into the off side of a single cab to make it a dual treasure chest model?

I've been looking into it as there is some warping in that panel on my SC and I just scored a NOS door to go in. Looks like a lot of work.

This is the only thread I could find on the net. What do you think, go for it of not?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=315766&highlight=treasure+chest" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[bigdaz]

im restoring a late bay single cab at the moment i looked at doing it but couldnt find a good door
in the end i just kept it the same i used a large sill repair panel from schofields , its from van but fitted ok just needed to fabricate a bit near the rear arch.

i would say you are taking on a lot of work there even if you have a complete cut panel to play with.
heres mine cut out

then with new panel

nearly finished it now

 

[aspro]

Bigdaz that SC is looking very nice, even if it is a lte one. Great work on the repair. Shame you didn't attempt the extra door.

To my advantage I've got access to a fabrication wizard who has his own steel press and fabricates his own panels. Just want to get some insight before I jump in. Sending you a PM.

 

[Slammed]

Be interested to see how this goes. 8)

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

Interesting. You got the door catch as well? It's a sc only part, I struggled to get a lock/latch for mine, god knows where you'd find the catch itself.

The guy on the samba had a lot of donor cuts, it's a lot of fab work to replecate all that metal work exactly. If your fabricator is **** hot, and your welding is half decent there is no reason why it shouldn't work. It's just a lot of work. The only time I really wished I had a double treasure chest was when I was replacing the floor!

 

[aspro]

I'm hearing you Wheeto. I realise it is a hell of a lot of work that's why I'm trying to see if anyone has successfully done it. As for the cath and lock, I think that is the least of my worries. The catch itself looks like quite an easy piece to fabricate. I know the pics below are from splits but there is no reason I can't use a different locking mechanism.

Here's a pic of the lock itself.

And a pic of the catch. Looks pretty simple to fab. Almost like a standard house door latch

Would really like to give it a go but don't want to end up in a position where I wished I never tried it.

 

[aspro]

Here's a NOS split lock mech. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1196478" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[aspro]

Hey Professorwheeto check it out. Gerson make the latch plate http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=922196" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and the stricker plate is the sam as the tailgate door http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=928465" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[vwed]

The lock, catch and fittings are the least of your worries. I've tracked down and acquired 6 locks including NOS in the last 18 months.
261 829 561 B = lock up to end July '68 (same as last year of Split by the way).
261 829 561 C = lock from August '68 onwards. Note the barrel/keys change from August '70 from L to R profile but the lock itself stays the same.

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

Ah I always though the striker plate was slightly different!

Good luck with the build!

 

[aspro]

Not ready to jump in quite yet. Just trying to see if it is possible. Looks like a nightmare job to be honest. :shock:

 

[bigdaz]

Here's a few picks of the late bay hatch

 

[aspro]

Thanks for the pictures Bigdaz. It appears your set up is exactly the same as an early bay and late split. The doors changed around 75/76. The NOS door I have appears to be a very late one with a different hanging system.

 

[davidoft]

i dont think it wouls be all that hard, may take a week to do though

 

[mattp]

i dont think it wouls be all that hard, may take a week to do though

WHS plus you have the other side for reference -do it

 

[aspro]

Now I have fully investigated it and determined the parts are all available, the only think holding me back is screwing around with a well sorted pickup and it's originality. Also started to think about whether or not the effort will be worth the gain. :?

 

[davidoft]

did you buy the nos door with the wire hinges?

 

[aspro]

Yes, got it. Just deciding whether or not to keep it or return it.

 

[mattp]

It is your bus so do what you want, this is exactly what I have done to mine.

It would be a very cool and subtle mod

 

[aspro]

Got any pics Matt? Would like to see how it turned out. Internals in particular.