An unexpected bonus of the seat project was finding an unused space under the passenger seat. Imagine that - wasted space in a VW Westfalia!
It compares to the space available under the driver's seat, accessable from the opening behind the seat - unless you have an auxilliary battery fitted. This space under the passenger seat is blocked from the rear by the battery compartment.
By cutting out the strip of sheetmetal (now shown standing up at an angle) from under the front of the passenger seat, a space of about 3 inches high by the full size of the seat pedestal is available. The only obstruction inside is the vent hose for the main battery box in the back inside corner.
I do not feel that removing this piece of tin has compromised the strength of the seat mount.
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View under the pasenger seat.
A 1/4" lip was left projecting up from the bottom of the opening and 3/4" left on the right side (as viewed here). The floor of this space will be carpeted, and the edges covered with smooth trim (taken from the rain channel of a derelict Vanagon GL).
The compartment is not easily reachable while seated, but can be reached easily from the outside when the door is open.
The power wires for the seat were taped up to the top of the opening to prevent snagging by maps, etc. (The black and white wire in the photo does NOT go through the bottom of the opening.)
If a problem develops where maps slide out from under the seat, I will add a door or elastic mesh over the front.
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