Stand back! I'm going to drill a hole

Post by **kevtherev** » 05 Jan 2006, 16:08

Yes a hole for a table base , in the gap between the front seats (on the flat bit).
Now I know the petrol tank is under neath.
so how far is it before I go up in smoke, and is there any other thing lurking down there?

Post by **Horza** » 05 Jan 2006, 16:15

Gear Linkage? Handbrake cable? Something else?

how far forward/back will this hole be? Have you crawled under and had a look?

Post by **jokerdub** » 05 Jan 2006, 16:25

Spare wheel, gear stuff, steering.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 05 Jan 2006, 16:38

Brake pipes..

Drop the spare wheel and take a peek.... could save a lot of grief!!!

Post by **kevtherev** » 05 Jan 2006, 16:48

I've been under and it's much further back than the spare.
it is directly above the fuel tank..and I can't feel any pipes..or linkages attached to the floor but i's hard to see

Post by **corleone** » 05 Jan 2006, 17:31

The tank is a bit of a u shape and the dip is underneath the middle of the two front seats. The space was holds various bits & pieces such as the gear linkage and in my van (Aircooled) the warm air pipe and a vent for the back of the van. I doubt you would hit the tank without a fairly long drill bit.

Probably the best way is to put some tape round the drill bit and don't drill deeper than the tape, easier said than done

either that or drill a very small pilot hole and take a peek

Post by **kevtherev** » 05 Jan 2006, 19:12

Good idea..the drill tape

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 05 Jan 2006, 21:38

put a large DIY dash tidy on, It will cost you about £15 and a lot less hassle to fit.
bracket templates here

Post by **missusjen** » 05 Jan 2006, 22:23

Stand a coolbox between the front seats? Nice doily, vase of flowers, you'd never notice.......

Post by **futurecut** » 06 Jan 2006, 11:05

Build a table that attatches or bolts or even better glues onto the sides of the seat pods where the batteries are. Easier to do and easier to remove if required.

Post by **kevtherev** » 06 Jan 2006, 12:25

my seats swivel to face in but thanks any way ..

you see Mrs rev saw cookinacamper at vanfest and liked the idea of the extra usefull surface right by the cooker..

I want to put the telly on it...

I've bought the base now so I'm going in!

Post by **T'Onion** » 06 Jan 2006, 14:58

Kev does your have the plastic heater pod on the floor ?

Post by **kevtherev** » 06 Jan 2006, 19:04

I think I know what you mean, there's just a carpet on floor though.

and I've seriously had a good feel above the tank and apart from the obvious I can't feel owt ...however t'onion I have seen some sort of ducting with an outlet right where you say, but on earlier vans...have I a double floor in hiding?

Post by **blu trukkie** » 06 Jan 2006, 22:15

Just a thought...........If you still insist on drilling the big hole, maybe a good idea is to see if you can slide a biggish bit of card or cardboard onto the top of the tank, so that when all the drill swarf falls through, you can pull it out on the card, otherwise it may trap, and help to rot out the top of your tank.....( which they can do quite well on their own).

Good luck.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 07 Jan 2006, 08:14

and have a spotter to tell you where the pilot hole comes through, I'd say you'd want to be in the tank dip, coolant pipes hand brake cable would be the things to watch, from memory the brake pipes go down the passenger side.