Wanted Z Hinges

[MMMC]

I sent Slim adi a pm yesterday on the off chance that he could make them - he makes good roof racks...

I have a 'wanted ad' on the samba for some. Some guy just got in touch wanting 250 plus shipping for some....! Hopefully that was dollars but thats still pricey.

 

[ddffrost]

Hi,

Yer i have an add on there to but to be honest i've had alot of reply's most of which arent the Z Hinges were after they are the ones from the Z Beds which is something different so be careful.

Also a few people have said they have some then when you ask for pics they never arrive.

I think we would be better getting a few sets made here could even turn out to be a earner for someone!

 

[ddffrost]

Hi,

Right i'm going to start a new Thread and everyone who wants some of these put your name down.

 

[slim_adi]

eyup chaps - i'm gonna point Andy in the dirction of this thread - Andy runs DESIGN21 and is the fabricator, so he'll be able to give an honest answer as to whether they can be easily made or not.

If Tim / bayview is willing to take one out of his van as a sample for us, then that would be a real boost

Adi

 

[ddffrost]

hi

thanks mate i'm sure we can sort something out

i cant see them being to difficult to make its 30 year old technology after all.

i'll let you know if Tim is willing to part with his hinges for a week or so.

Dave

 

[concrete hippo]

I will definitely want a set of these too.

(Even before I've got a van if a bulk-order is sorted before then)

 

[bayview]

If Tim / bayview is willing to take one out of his van as a sample for us, then that would be a real boost

No problem, just need to find the time to get down to the van. She's tucked up in the barn for the winter! Away this weekend but I'll hopefully get a chance next week. Would there be any sort of patent issues?? :? Z products went out of business so not really stepping on anyones toes.

I think if someone started making these and even installing there would be a decent market for them.

Bayview - are they any good?

They're great if you want a weekend/occassional camper. Not sure how practical they would be for touring. Araon's right, the seat and back rest go flush with the engine cover - you therefore need an inflatable mattress or a back of steel. I've always taken the middle seat out before setting it up. The instructions show it remaining in situ but it would definetly be tight. You also need to remove the rear armrests and make sure your rear seatbelt housings (if you have them) don't interfere the seat when you move into position.

Installation is very easy. I took the rear vents out when I fitted them but and never got around to putting them back - they will go back however.

All in all, if you want a microbus first and a camper second they're the perfect solution.

 

[flynster]

i`m deffo after a set please :wink:

 

[Araon]

I thought Z-productions were still going under there other business names.

To be honest its only a pair of pivots raising the seat to the correct height and forward position with a pair of hinged arms dropping the back rest down and supporting it, so should be fairly easy to produce and refine..

I suspect the patents have now expired....but then you just need to adapt it and make enough changes to circumvent the legalities of the copy.

This does sound like an interesting developement and I'll be keeping my eyes on it since I've not 100% commited myself to an interior yet...

 

[MMMC]

If Tim / bayview is willing to take one out of his van as a sample for us, then that would be a real boost

No problem, just need to find the time to get down to the van. She's tucked up in the barn for the winter! Away this weekend but I'll hopefully get a chance next week. Would there be any sort of patent issues?? :? Z products went out of business so not really stepping on anyones toes.

I think if someone started making these and even installing there would be a decent market for them.

Bayview - are they any good?

They're great if you want a weekend/occassional camper. Not sure how practical they would be for touring. Araon's right, the seat and back rest go flush with the engine cover - you therefore need an inflatable mattress or a back of steel. I've always taken the middle seat out before setting it up. The instructions show it remaining in situ but it would definetly be tight. You also need to remove the rear armrests and make sure your rear seatbelt housings (if you have them) don't interfere the seat when you move into position.

Installation is very easy. I took the rear vents out when I fitted them but and never got around to putting them back - they will go back however.

All in all, if you want a microbus first and a camper second they're the perfect solution.

sounds perfect mate...a blow up bed will do the job nicely. I'd like to leave me middle seat in which I presume you can do.

 

[scamperbus]

I was desperately looking into to getting some z-product hinges a few weeks ago. Put posts on here and the Samba but had no joy. So I got impatient and a couple of weeks ago fitted a steel framed rock n roll bed. I'm still waiting for the foam/vinyl covers which I've just splashed out on to come back from the upholsterers. Bad timing on my part methinks :x

I too wanted to retain the standard look and middle seat. (I've managed to keep my middle seat by moving it forward 4 inches. There's still plenty of leg room and the bed opens out easily. I secured it using the original clamps bolted up through the thicker metal of the outrigger flanges/floor from the underside. It took a long time and a lot of measuring but it still looks pretty stock and is secure and safe). Seat belts still reach too.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to say that the original z-product kits also had some extenders that fitted to the middle seat legs to position it forward and allowed you to fold out the rear bench without it getting in the way. Take a look at the fitting instructions here:

http://www.vintagebus.com/gallery/image/3465.JPG

You'd need to get these made up too or else do what I've done. Alternatively remove the middle seat altogether which is a crime if you love your 7 seater!

If you do get enough people together to warrant getting the mechanism made at a reasonable price I would still be interested - that is, if I'm able to sell on my brand new rock n'roll bed, cushions and covers! :wink:

 

[spikehouseofdub]

hi all
i have been looking at the pictures and they should be easy to make i have back seat and a few empty bays so i will see what we can do . the hinges look simple enough as does the other bracket . as they fold down level with the rear floor all you need is two big bits of foam over the back floor that lay flat over seat when folded out . also the foam means no engine noise . i have a t25 with south african micro bus seats that fold in the same way to make bed .
regards spike 8) :lol:

 

[ddffrost]

Hi Spike,

I gave you a text about these the other day its Dave by the way you lowered my 68 Microbus a few weeks back now!

If you need a set to work from Tim on here is willing to part with his for a week or so.

Let me know mate could be a little earner for you i'm sure.

Dave

 

[slim_adi]

Andy is just waiting for his registration email from admin - as soon as he gets registered, he'll be on for a look / comments

 

[ddffrost]

cool

let me know when your ready

Dave

 

[Anonymous]

I sent Slim adi a pm yesterday on the off chance that he could make them - he makes good roof racks...

I have a 'wanted ad' on the samba for some. Some guy just got in touch wanting 250 plus shipping for some....! Hopefully that was dollars but thats still pricey.

that was me who contacted you and as i said a friend has them and thats what he wanted for the complete seat 250 US and i told you i thought it was high but he would have no use for the seat after selling the hinges and it would cost way too much to ship the whole seat over. i was just giving you a option. you could have offered less as he might take it but i dont know if he would or how low he would go or i would have told you the lowest price he would take. :lol:

 

[ddffrost]

Hi

Hinges from a Z Bed are a different thing i belive! They are more like a rock and roll bed hinge.

The hinges were after are a more complecated set of hinges which allow you to convert a micro bus rear bench seat into a bed rather than a original camper bed etc!

Dave

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

Hinges from a Z Bed are a different thing i belive! They are more like a rock and roll bed hinge.

The hinges were after are a more complecated set of hinges which allow you to convert a micro bus rear bench seat into a bed rather than a original camper bed etc!

Dave

if this was directed at me i know what a z bed is :roll: and that is what my friend has. it is a regular rear seat that folds into a bed just like the picture in this thread. :wink:

 

[ddffrost]

Hi,

ok thats cool then wasnt trying to argue or make you look silly mate i had no idea what the difference was a week ago!

$250 dollars is alot of money but they are pretty rare!

trying to get hold of some to make a few sets for some of the peeps on here which is the point of this thread!

has your friend got any pictures etc?

Dave

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

ok thats cool then wasnt trying to argue or make you look silly mate i had no idea what the difference was a week ago!

$250 dollars is alot of money but they are pretty rare!

trying to get hold of some to make a few sets for some of the peeps on here which is the point of this thread!

has your friend got any pictures etc?

Dave

the pictures would be just like the one that is already posted. i can take pics tomorrow when i go over to his house. do you want any certain pics? the seat is still in the bus. send me a email address and i will send you any pics of it that you want. i just dont know how to post them on here. i know he wants too much for them, thats what i emailed the guy with the wanted ad on thesamba. as i stated in the above post if someone is serious about wanting them then make a offer and i will pass it on to him. i have no idea if that price is firm or not.