What would you do?

[Ashmando]

Hey.

I have a small dilemma. I brought my 72 bay last month as a project. When I brought it I noticed the rear metal panels behind the seats have been cut off. Don't ask why, it's baffles me!

Now the guy has replacements he has given me with it that need welding back on to repair them. But the question is what would you do? Leave them off and modify the front seating area to have a bench that flips over (Think I saw it vw mag last month) or put them back to original?? I understand everyone's different, but as they're off already am I closer to doing something different? I'm swaying to keeping it original.

 

[ronski]

I like the idea of a spin around seat, if it's already been cut?

 

[ozziedog]

I think we would all like the idea of a swivel or two in the front or possibly the over center bench seat. But in real life we need the strength that those panels bring to the setup as VW intended. I think it`s all the more critical now as them busses ain`t getting any younger.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, Would be nice though, if only :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Ashmando]

My thoughts exactly Ozzie. I thought if I was half way there then I could crack on and add the bench or swivel. But being realistic......... Back to original it is! :lol:

 

[reezvaan]

When I brought it I noticed the rear metal panels behind the seats have been cut off. Don't ask why, it's baffles me!

I know how exactly you feel mate

I wish it was as simple for me as simple it is when you are somewhere in Europe/US and have plenty of early bays around to chop and source parts from. Unlike US/Europe, the country where I am (Pakistan), the whole country has only three known surviving EBs and I was even in bigger **** because the one I owned was country's oldest known surviving EB (11/68) and thus had to be restored to factory specs. Absent cut up panels, trust me its a huge task. Because the shipping/postage costs thrice the price of the panel to start with. Yet, I have done what I could and brought 68 correct Bulkhead Panels from US to Pakistan, paying an arm and a leg in postage.

And thats not all. I had to bring in all the original RHD seats from UK and full sliding door as my slider was cut up in the middle by the PO to convert it into barndoors. How did I do that and how much it cost me, a thing of obvious proportions when you know that only the postage on bulkhead panels was $272.

So mate, do whatever you must. Your van, your choice.

 

[Ashmando]

Wow I don't envy you mate. Luckily the guy supplied me with them so I think it's back to original for me! It's all about a doing a good job on the welding work! Thanks for the help!!!

 

[aogrady]

Hi,

I think there was a discussion on this some time ago, I forget what the general opinion was. The late bays have swivel front seats, what is different regarding any strenghtening VW did to the late bays? perhaps take a look on thelatebay.com?

Your bus your rules. If it has a sunroof hole, maybe best to have the bulkheads, but i doubt somehow that it's gonna fold in two. A bit of reasearch i think, handy that you have them, maybe tidy up the area and go for late bay swivel seats, trimmed to suit the early bay, as the lates have plaid trim. You can always refit if you decide to?

Cheers,

Alistair

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Those panels are part of the rigidity and structure of your van, they should be replaced, if you ever roll your van these panels are designed to help protect the people in the cab and stop the van from going out of shape.

 

[easy]

^^^^ this. I had one removed in my old bus and put it back straight away, its there for a reason :mrgreen: