Wanted T5 SE Rear shelf and/or fixings

[Rob1972]

I'm looking for the fixings for the rear parcel/mattress shelf. For some reason the previous owner removed them and VW have discontinued the spares.

Will consider buying a complete new shelf as an alternative.

 

[calikev]

who told you vw had discontinued them?

 

[Lizziwhizz]

I'm looking for the fixings for the rear parcel/mattress shelf. For some reason the previous owner removed them and VW have discontinued the spares.

Will consider buying a complete new shelf as an alternative.

Do you mean the two metal turn latches that are attached to the underside of the metal bed / mattress frame? I presume you still have the plastic fixings in either side of the van?

 

[Rob1972]

who told you vw had discontinued them?

The club shop when I ordered them through there.

 

[Rob1972]

Do you mean the two metal turn latches that are attached to the underside of the metal bed / mattress frame? I presume you still have the plastic fixings in either side of the van?

Yes, I only have the plastic fixings to the sides. The board has nothing to allow it to be fixed in the upper position and is in danger of breaking the plastic fixings since that's all it is resting on.

 

[calikev]

 

[calikev]

 

[Lizziwhizz]

Hi, no14 is called a cam index plunger & no 15 is horizontal mounting bracket for cam index plunger

Cam Action Indexing Plungers (WDS 675) 675-22012​

Horizontal Mounting Bracket for Cam Action Indexing Plungers (WDS 675)​

675-620B
You can order them direct from WDS Components. I removed my metal bed frame, I presume yours is the wood version but stil uses the same fixings I think. I designed a new bed system that attaches to the back of the seat, uses the index plungers and original bed locations to lock into. I gain valuable space inside the van in day mode, still have 1.8m length bed at night. Can get porta loo out of cupboard when bed is fully out at night. I have much more standing room in van at night and in morning Bench seat is now over rear axel, so better on suspension and handling. Better access to wardrobe, cup holder now in use and 12 volt power plug. Can slide whole bench seat forward to behind driver and passenger seats if I need load area. Still have a good decent amount of storage in boot.
The VW design metal / wood over sized ironing board is ridiculous and the worst design I have ever come across… I’m sure my opinion will be challenged, but when you have had other vans with a complete rear bench seat that doesn’t require any additional platforms, it had to go!
VW don’t always get it right, so I just remove the parts that are useless, re design them so it works more efficiently.
Took over a week to design and make but is awesome.

Best regards Wayne and Liz

 

[Rob1972]

View attachment 105500

Some parts were available but not everything. I don't have any fixings whatsoever on my board so I need everything.

If you have the full diagram that would be helpful. Thanks

 

[calikev]

 

[Rob1972]

Hi, no14 is called a cam index plunger & no 15 is horizontal mounting bracket for cam index plunger

Cam Action Indexing Plungers (WDS 675) 675-22012​

Horizontal Mounting Bracket for Cam Action Indexing Plungers (WDS 675)​

675-620B
You can order them direct from WDS Components. I removed my metal bed frame, I presume yours is the wood version but stil uses the same fixings I think. I designed a new bed system that attaches to the back of the seat, uses the index plungers and original bed locations to lock into. I gain valuable space inside the van in day mode, still have 1.8m length bed at night. Can get porta loo out of cupboard when bed is fully out at night. I have much more standing room in van at night and in morning Bench seat is now over rear axel, so better on suspension and handling. Better access to wardrobe, cup holder now in use and 12 volt power plug. Can slide whole bench seat forward to behind driver and passenger seats if I need load area. Still have a good decent amount of storage in boot.
The VW design metal / wood over sized ironing board is ridiculous and the worst design I have ever come across… I’m sure my opinion will be challenged, but when you have had other vans with a complete rear bench seat that doesn’t require any additional platforms, it had to go!
VW don’t always get it right, so I just remove the parts that are useless, re design them so it works more efficiently.
Took over a week to design and make but is awesome.

Best regards Wayne and Liz

Wow, that sounds brilliant. Now you've got me thinking!

Looks like I am missing 14, 15, 16, & 17. I don't think I have 32 either whatever that is. I will check WDS now.

Thank you

 

[WelshGas]

Wow, that sounds brilliant. Now you've got me thinking!

Looks like I am missing 14, 15, 16, & 17. I don't think I have 32 either whatever that is. I will check WDS now.

Thank you

Worth giving Kernow Transporters a ring. They specialise in Transporter and California 2nd hand parts and regularly convert Transporters with California seats, kitchens and Hydraulic roofs etc.

Volkswagen Transporter Armrests | Kernow Transporters Ltd | England

Kernow Transporters Ltd No1 used Volkswagen Transporter spares, parts & replacements. Seats, Armrests, Lights, Panels, Fixings and more. Volkswagen T6/T5 Armrests, Volkswagen Transporter seats, Volkswagen California, Volkswagen T6/T5 Passenger Seat. Based in Newbridge, Penzance, Cornwall, UK

www.kernowtransporters.co.uk

 

[Lizziwhizz]

Hi, pleased to help, I ordered from WDS only a few months ago, they are very professional, rapid postage.. I bought two of each. Don’t worry about the screws, you can obtain them from B&Q or amazon. The cam index levers that was on my original metal shelf I removed, then used them on my new design rear bed shelf. I decided to buy replacements to put back on my metal shelf just in case I decided to sell van and put it back to standard..
We also got them to send their parts book which was free of charge, it’s huge! They stock everything.
I prefer the revised bed board, as I was always frustrated with the VW one. I know the storage is good, both on top and underneath, but I found the weight of the Brandrup topper that was placed on top, trying to lift it up to engage prop under, sometimes caused it to pop out of its front fixings, as it pushed against the back of the bench seat, causing it drop down onto body mouldings… always frustrated the hell out of me! you lose so much space inside the van, it’s crazy.. We had three Autosleepers a trident, topaz, another trident, all these campers had a bed that didn’t use too much of the vehicle room when fully open. After buying our first California, we was shocked how little room we had left when bed was deployed.. hardly any room to get changed or use toilet. I’ve seen other people on this forum do similar work arounds, I wanted to keep mine minimal so it could be put back to stock if required..
I have gained 40cm extra space in the day, that’s about the same amount of space between a LWB Transporter and SWB..
At night we have gained about 20cm more space which allows us to gain access to slide loo in and out of cupboard! We still have a 1.8 m bed.

It all looks factory finish as we covered the 12mm ply panels in grey vinyl with rubber edged trim.
Only negative, you have to remove headrests, as it hooks into the apertures with two turn key fixings. As it’s all covered in foam grey material, you still have full support for your head, you just lose the little gap of visibility between where the two headrests were. My partner prefers the privacy, especially when using loo in the day, she only has to pull side blinds down..

Happy to pm you some pics, there are many great positives with a California, my only gripe was the rear bed board….you sacrifice far too much space in such a small area. Our van is now perfect and my partner was shocked how much room was available. We have turned our swb into a lwb withour having a bigger van! Some high end after market van converters use the Cali rear bench seat but don’t use the rear board, these are £90k plus conversions and are pretty amazing inside.


Best regards

 

[Rob1972]

Hi, pleased to help, I ordered from WDS only a few months ago, they are very professional, rapid postage.. I bought two of each, off them. Don’t worry about the screws, you can them from B&Q or amazon. The cam lever index levers that was on my original metal shelf I removed, then used them on my new design rear bed shelf. I decided to buy replacements to put back on my metal shelf just in case I decided to sell van and put it back to standard..
We also got them to send their parts book which was free of charge, it’s huge! They stock everything.
I prefer the revised bed board, as I was always frustrated with the VW one. I know the storage is good, both on top and underneath, but I found the Brandrup topper that was placed on top, trying to lift it up to engage prop under, sometimes caused it to pop out of its front fixings, causing it drop down onto body mouldings… always frustrated the hell out of me! you lose so mush space inside the van, it’s crazy.. We had an Autosleepe, trident, topaz, another trident, all these campers had a bed that didn’t use too much of the vehicle room when fully open. After buying our first California, we was shocked how little room we had left when bed was deployed.. hardly any room to get changed or use toilet. I’ve seen other people on this forum do similar work arounds, I wanted to keep mine minimal so it could be put back to stock if required..
I have gained 40cm extra space in the day, that’s about the same amount of space between a LWB Transporter and SWB..
At night we have gained about 20cm more space which allows us to gain access to slide loo in and out of cupboard! We still have a 1.8 m bed.

Happy to pm you some pics, there are many great positives with a California, my only gripe was the rear bed board….you sacrifice far too much space in such a small area. Our van is now perfect and my partner was shocked how much room was available.
Best regards

We have to do a sliding puzzle to get the bed set up each night with the loo just about fitting behind the passenger seat. If you wouldn't mind sending some pictures I'd be very grateful. We have 2 kids up top so always need to use the bottom bed and had considered a bigger van but in all other respects the Cali excels so it would be a reluctant change.

 

[Lizziwhizz]

My partner will pm you some pics. We also considered the bigger vans, looked at the hymer free s, all these type of vans tend to go with the rear fixed bed, hardly any room between kitchen and loo and sometimes not as much space as you have in the Cali. Plus the ridiculous prices, they are not worth it! I’m an engineer by trade, if you look in most of these vans as I have, the quality isn’t that great. We looked in two new vans from hymer, control panel fell out and hung down on wires, lights come un clipped from ceiling… that was on a new free s (Sprinter based). Westfalia although fairly good, again fit and finish in places is poor… most people can be fooled by the badge and rightly assume they are buying quality. That’s not always the case in my opinion. Considering what you are paying for these hotels on wheels… Save your money, keep the Cali, and use the money saved for the odd break away in a cottage! You then have the best of both worlds. There is never a vehicle that will do everything!. We have gone through several and all have their positives and negatives.
You always convince yourself that bigger is better, which we have found not to be the case. Bigger is much more expensive and you would still find you would need more space….
Let me know your thoughts on the pics, would really appreciate your feedback

Best regards
Wayne

 

[Rob1972]

I completely agree with you on everything you have said. That's why we decided to keep our Cali. Also some of the places we go a big van would be a liability.

I have mentioned to my wife about your modifications and she is quite excited about it. So we will have a proper look at the pictures you kindly sent and let you know. I hope you don't mind more questions!

 

[Lizziwhizz]

Happy to help answer any questions,
Kindest regards
Wayne and Liz

 

[Vagophile]

C'mon, now you've got a lot of us wondering just what exactly you have done and you've taken pics, why not share them with a wider audience?

 

[Lizziwhizz]

Here you go ... Shows when folded, bed mode and amount of extra interior space during the day
Kind regards

 

[Vagophile]

@Lizziwhizz, thanks for the photos, certainly gives more space.

 

[Lizziwhizz]

Your welcome, I don’t normally post any modifications we have done, as everyone has their own opinion on what works in a California, especially when some have pets, kids etc to accommodate..
I’ve always been impressed to see other fellow owners taking a saw to their pride and joy!
We have tried every way possible with the rear bed extension board / shelf. We even bought the Brandrup I extend thinner mattress, raised the frame to the higher position, which made it worse when lifting it up to gain access underneath, as the rear bench seat tapers out, it pushes the frame out of its fixings…
Our latest design, for us, works out really well, having extra space in the day and night is far more important and access to wardrobe, cup holder and 12 volt power is now available. The vehicle handles much better and I have a fork mounted cycle carrier that attaches to the rails, and we can get two mountain bikes inside the van in front of the bench seat for those odd days out! The van is so big inside, once that bench is pushed back.
Best regards
Wayne and Liz

 

[Rob1972]

I have decided to stick with the standard bed setup for now but will be thinking about how to improve things.

I have just ordered the plunger parts from WDS and.... they don't have them in stock. So they have ordered them from their supplier with a 3 week lead time. Hopefully I will eventually get these elusive parts!

 

[Lizziwhizz]

Good to here you have them on order. They had a lot in stock when we ordered so surprised they are on back order.
Have a great summer camping!
Best regards Wayne and Liz

 

[Rob1972]

@Lizziwhizz The parts have arrived. I looked in my selection of bolts and found the right size for the thread insert in the board but this bolt is too big to go through the holes in the mounting bracket. Can I ask what you used to fix it?

 

[Lizziwhizz]

Hi, our original bolts didn't fit either as the head sits on the top of the brackets rather than inserted into the bracket. I think we used either M5 or M6 bolts about 40 or 50mm long which you can get from B&Q. Hope that helps, glad your parts turned up! Best wishes