Zach Woods
New member
The following is archival. This is a list of some of the many aftermarket modifications that folks have made to their Westfalias.
*****
Just starting a little post of various modifications folks have made
to Westfalia according to this forum, etc., including ideas for
possible mods (if you have other mods or did a mod or have more info
on how to do a mod, please add).
Exterior:
1. Addition of Parabolic/Convex Mirrors on top of standard mirrors
(factory mirrors)--A MUST DO, in my opinion.
2. Replacement of standard passenger Mirror with Convex Mirror
(factory mirror)
3. Removal of Airstream labels/logos
(floss/sun/hair dryer/Goo Gone)
4. Changeover to Mercedes logos (grill, star, labels, etc.)
5. Rearview camera addition
6. Wheel/Tires Mods
a. Switch from standard to factory optional alloy wheels
b. Switch to bigger/wider alloy wheels
c. Switch to different tires
7. Suspension Mods
a. Koni Shocks
b. Heavier Rear Anti-Sway Bar (UpscaleAuto.com)
c. SteerSafe (front steering dampener)
d. Rear Airbags (Sports-Rite?)
e. Supplemental Rear Leaf Springs
8. Bullbar in front (anyone???)
9. Covers
a. Windshield/Front Side Windows Cover???
b. A/C cover???
c. Cover for skylight/bathroom skylight???
d. Protective film for front of Sprinter (UpscaleAuto.com???)
10. Sportsmobile conversion had awnings on both sides; presumably
could use the holes on driver's side to add another Fiamma
awning
11. Westfalia Optional Kayak/Surfboard Carrier Rack
(Issue re kayak carrier not working bec. sticks out too far so
not legal???; mounts in holes on driver's side)
Interior:
1. Tint windows (except acrylic ones)
(Some states prohibit tinting front door windows and windshield,
maybe even other windows too)
2. Removals
a. Kitchen wastebasket for more storage space
b. Generator--but apparently spare tire still won't fit there
c. TV and TV antenna
3. Electrical Mods
a. Addition of 120 volt outlet (in gray) next to table
(Used to be a nice photo of this somewhere; a very useful
convenient mod than existing receptacles number and location)
b. Addition of 12 volt to 120 volt inverter in space next to
circuit breakers
c. GPS/Rear Camera/Radio/Speaker Replacement
d. Solar (anyone done solar yet????)
Maybe foldable solar panels (but much more expensive)
e. Replace bathroom vent with a Fantastic Fan vent (possible???)
4. Behind Cab Curtains
a. Velcro strip full-width below table door; gray fabric
material which clings on velcro strip
b. Westfalia possible option--cab curtain using snaps, including
existing snaps above seatbelt area
5. Toilet Seat--Retention in Up-position
a. Bungee cord and u-channel mounts
b. Magnetic latch (???)
c. Velcro (???)
6. Bathroom Door in Open Position
a. Latch (???)
7. Small Changes/To Do's/Ideas
a. Flip metal plate in middle of bathroom door opening so
don't scratch yourself
b. Fridge plastic storage cartons not that useful
c. Velcro strap seat belt receptacle buckles in upright position
d. Small Walmart clock in central console area (so dashboard
clock/temp can be left on temp)
e. Small clock/temp (with exterior temp sensor) mounted on wall
someplace (so don't need to push dashboard button for temp
when engine is off and don't need to push computer console for
interior temp): Tip--somebody posted that they use external
sensor and put inside fridge to monitor fridge temp--some
clocks/temps come with option for more than one exterior
sensor
f. Interior rear view mirror (so you know what's happening in
back seat; what you forget to close that's banging)
g. Wall-mount brackets for awning legs installed (so awning legs
hook-into these brackets on van body rather than stand on
ground)--(anyone done???)
h. Replace existing mushroom vent above kitchen cabinet with a
solarvent (don't know if available solarvents would fit)
8. Storage Ideas
a. Front Seat back storage pocket units (hangs on seats)
b. Acrylic/Plastic wall-mount glued 3-pak-file wall-pockets
(on bathroom door)(???)
c. Plastic Drawer Bins for behind back seat (if not using as
bed--don't have to pull seat out all the way to access stuff)
d. Thin storage map pockets glued to/screwed to bottom half of
back doors (maybe from JC Whitney?)
e. Suction cup hooks for bathroom (fall-off if too cold)
f. Duct tape bottom of front door storage pockets to prevent
things from falling out (OR, put everything in a Ziplock
Freezer bag to keep things from falling out through crack)
g. Eraseable calendar/bulletin board on bathroom/closet door
h. Some type of storage to mount on bed panel above table storage
area?
i. Some type of storage in sliding door? (any insulation there?)
j. Glued-on clips for awning wand--locate on inside of closet
door???
k. Glued-on clips for other stuff (locate on inside of closet
door)
l. First Aid Kit which fits in front door storage areas (somebody
found one that fit at Costco)
j. Levelers stored in small storage bin next to sliding door step
k. Reflective Triangles stored in small storage bin next to
sliding door step
l. Use back half of top step foot area to bed for storage
(bunch up plastic bags there; stick a tall plastic container
for wipes there--maybe velcro)
m. Large storage/laundry bin for rear storage
n. Any long plastic bin for storage behind little door next to
rear seat ???
o. Wasted space below fridge but warning not to use that space
(presumably for ventilation?)--also space underneath floor
below the fridge is also empty and inaccessible
p. Rear seat has heavy metal frame with little circular cut-outs
on side--anything which would neatly drop-in for storage???
9. Privacy/Screens/Covers
a. Reflective Thermo-something Windshield and Front Windows
interior covers (UpscaleAuto.com, Eurocampers.com)
b. Sliding Door Screen (same places; also upside down sock type
screens for front door--bugbarrier.com and/or skreenz.com
something like that
c. Interior curtain which slides onto sun visors and hangs for
privacy--velcros for side windows (don't remember where I saw
this--had one specifically for Sprinter)
10. Wished For Changes
a. Move Electrical All-Off and Water Pump Switch to more
convenient location
b. Locks--to lock up storage cabinets, underseat storage, ability
to move back seat, etc.--just to keep folks honest so don't
have to unpack entire Westfalia when in for service
c. Place to stick cushion behind backseat for more storage space
(maybe velcro to back of back seat)
d. Storage under front passenger seat (hard to keep things
stored under front passenger seat)--any solutions?
*****
Just starting a little post of various modifications folks have made
to Westfalia according to this forum, etc., including ideas for
possible mods (if you have other mods or did a mod or have more info
on how to do a mod, please add).
Exterior:
1. Addition of Parabolic/Convex Mirrors on top of standard mirrors
(factory mirrors)--A MUST DO, in my opinion.
2. Replacement of standard passenger Mirror with Convex Mirror
(factory mirror)
3. Removal of Airstream labels/logos
(floss/sun/hair dryer/Goo Gone)
4. Changeover to Mercedes logos (grill, star, labels, etc.)
5. Rearview camera addition
6. Wheel/Tires Mods
a. Switch from standard to factory optional alloy wheels
b. Switch to bigger/wider alloy wheels
c. Switch to different tires
7. Suspension Mods
a. Koni Shocks
b. Heavier Rear Anti-Sway Bar (UpscaleAuto.com)
c. SteerSafe (front steering dampener)
d. Rear Airbags (Sports-Rite?)
e. Supplemental Rear Leaf Springs
8. Bullbar in front (anyone???)
9. Covers
a. Windshield/Front Side Windows Cover???
b. A/C cover???
c. Cover for skylight/bathroom skylight???
d. Protective film for front of Sprinter (UpscaleAuto.com???)
10. Sportsmobile conversion had awnings on both sides; presumably
could use the holes on driver's side to add another Fiamma
awning
11. Westfalia Optional Kayak/Surfboard Carrier Rack
(Issue re kayak carrier not working bec. sticks out too far so
not legal???; mounts in holes on driver's side)
Interior:
1. Tint windows (except acrylic ones)
(Some states prohibit tinting front door windows and windshield,
maybe even other windows too)
2. Removals
a. Kitchen wastebasket for more storage space
b. Generator--but apparently spare tire still won't fit there
c. TV and TV antenna
3. Electrical Mods
a. Addition of 120 volt outlet (in gray) next to table
(Used to be a nice photo of this somewhere; a very useful
convenient mod than existing receptacles number and location)
b. Addition of 12 volt to 120 volt inverter in space next to
circuit breakers
c. GPS/Rear Camera/Radio/Speaker Replacement
d. Solar (anyone done solar yet????)
Maybe foldable solar panels (but much more expensive)
e. Replace bathroom vent with a Fantastic Fan vent (possible???)
4. Behind Cab Curtains
a. Velcro strip full-width below table door; gray fabric
material which clings on velcro strip
b. Westfalia possible option--cab curtain using snaps, including
existing snaps above seatbelt area
5. Toilet Seat--Retention in Up-position
a. Bungee cord and u-channel mounts
b. Magnetic latch (???)
c. Velcro (???)
6. Bathroom Door in Open Position
a. Latch (???)
7. Small Changes/To Do's/Ideas
a. Flip metal plate in middle of bathroom door opening so
don't scratch yourself
b. Fridge plastic storage cartons not that useful
c. Velcro strap seat belt receptacle buckles in upright position
d. Small Walmart clock in central console area (so dashboard
clock/temp can be left on temp)
e. Small clock/temp (with exterior temp sensor) mounted on wall
someplace (so don't need to push dashboard button for temp
when engine is off and don't need to push computer console for
interior temp): Tip--somebody posted that they use external
sensor and put inside fridge to monitor fridge temp--some
clocks/temps come with option for more than one exterior
sensor
f. Interior rear view mirror (so you know what's happening in
back seat; what you forget to close that's banging)
g. Wall-mount brackets for awning legs installed (so awning legs
hook-into these brackets on van body rather than stand on
ground)--(anyone done???)
h. Replace existing mushroom vent above kitchen cabinet with a
solarvent (don't know if available solarvents would fit)
8. Storage Ideas
a. Front Seat back storage pocket units (hangs on seats)
b. Acrylic/Plastic wall-mount glued 3-pak-file wall-pockets
(on bathroom door)(???)
c. Plastic Drawer Bins for behind back seat (if not using as
bed--don't have to pull seat out all the way to access stuff)
d. Thin storage map pockets glued to/screwed to bottom half of
back doors (maybe from JC Whitney?)
e. Suction cup hooks for bathroom (fall-off if too cold)
f. Duct tape bottom of front door storage pockets to prevent
things from falling out (OR, put everything in a Ziplock
Freezer bag to keep things from falling out through crack)
g. Eraseable calendar/bulletin board on bathroom/closet door
h. Some type of storage to mount on bed panel above table storage
area?
i. Some type of storage in sliding door? (any insulation there?)
j. Glued-on clips for awning wand--locate on inside of closet
door???
k. Glued-on clips for other stuff (locate on inside of closet
door)
l. First Aid Kit which fits in front door storage areas (somebody
found one that fit at Costco)
j. Levelers stored in small storage bin next to sliding door step
k. Reflective Triangles stored in small storage bin next to
sliding door step
l. Use back half of top step foot area to bed for storage
(bunch up plastic bags there; stick a tall plastic container
for wipes there--maybe velcro)
m. Large storage/laundry bin for rear storage
n. Any long plastic bin for storage behind little door next to
rear seat ???
o. Wasted space below fridge but warning not to use that space
(presumably for ventilation?)--also space underneath floor
below the fridge is also empty and inaccessible
p. Rear seat has heavy metal frame with little circular cut-outs
on side--anything which would neatly drop-in for storage???
9. Privacy/Screens/Covers
a. Reflective Thermo-something Windshield and Front Windows
interior covers (UpscaleAuto.com, Eurocampers.com)
b. Sliding Door Screen (same places; also upside down sock type
screens for front door--bugbarrier.com and/or skreenz.com
something like that
c. Interior curtain which slides onto sun visors and hangs for
privacy--velcros for side windows (don't remember where I saw
this--had one specifically for Sprinter)
10. Wished For Changes
a. Move Electrical All-Off and Water Pump Switch to more
convenient location
b. Locks--to lock up storage cabinets, underseat storage, ability
to move back seat, etc.--just to keep folks honest so don't
have to unpack entire Westfalia when in for service
c. Place to stick cushion behind backseat for more storage space
(maybe velcro to back of back seat)
d. Storage under front passenger seat (hard to keep things
stored under front passenger seat)--any solutions?
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