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Hodakaguy Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2012 Posts: 661 Location: Eastern WA
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:24 pm Post subject: Westy High Top Install - Photo Documentary |
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My friend Mike (Purplepeopleeater) decided to convert his pop top Westy over to a High Top for ease of camping and added storage space. I'll be taking pictures of the process and posting them up as progress is made.
First a shot of Mike's Westy with the pop top in place.
Mike purchased a North American High Top through Northamericanhightops.com, so with a trailer in tow we set off to pick it up from StreamLineAudio in Vancouver WA. With a Subaru H6 installed in his van the trip to Vancouver was quick.
Arriving at StreamLineAudio.
And now we get to see what this baby looks like!
Uh Oh....What did I get myself into! LOL.
Carrying the top to the trailer.
After a bit of thinking we came up with this support to keep the sides from flapping around to much. The top is sitting upside down in the 4x8 trailer on a piece of rug. Once strapped in place it was very secure.
Once loaded we chat a bit about the best way to install the top, what products to use, how to trim to fit etc.
Ready to roll for home....maybe we should stop off somewhere on the way home and see if it would make a good boat
The top made it home in one piece...now it's time to start having fun. The pop top is unbolted and ready to remove.
Top removed and on the grass...next remove the luggage rack.
You think Mike is excited to see the top sitting on the van?
We lift the high top on and stand back to check it out....going to look great!
Marking the high spots so they can be removed. Some minor trimming is needed to get a good fit.
Top propped up so the high spots can be trimmed.
Trimming the top.
Checking the fit and progress....little bit at a time.
More Trimming
Inside...Going to be Roomy!
Well its getting late so time to call it a night. Getting pretty close, some slight trimming on the right side needed still. More progress tomorrow.
I'll post up progress as it happens.
Hodakaguy
Last edited by Hodakaguy on Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:38 am Post subject: |
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This is a great thread, please keep the photos coming.
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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MidwestDrifter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012 Posts: 769 Location: Kicking Around Australia
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jamesc76 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2010 Posts: 1 Location: Nottingham UK
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:33 am Post subject: |
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I have the same hight top on my van best thing I ever did! Funny to see a mould thats from the UK used in the states! |
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:54 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting up Tom (and help) it will be nice having another shutter bug to help document the process.
Tryin to not rush things too quick here, this is about 80% head scratching and 20% work.
Glue, Seam sealer, Insulation all should be here on the 26th.
I thought about using FRP for the top to line it, but I think the weight will be too much over time for the glue, I will be using a vinyl product over the prodex insulation in either cream color or a sand/mocha color to match the interior.
Here are some links for products I used...
The top,
http://canadianhightops.ca/
The insulation,
http://www.insulation4less.com/
I ordered 4ft x 100ft Its buy one get one free so couldn't pass up the deal...I should only need about 100sqft
The glue used for the top can be bought online here....
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/
Evercoat 813
The U-Pol Tiger Seal Urethane Adhesive & Sealant
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GBA 88West LA Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008 Posts: 1279 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:09 am Post subject: |
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looking forward to following this thanks _________________ 88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:58 am Post subject: |
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I've been suggesting a documentary of step by step. Good for you. This will not only help people, it will help 'market' the idea for those who aren't sure. Here would be a thumbs up if we had one _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1544 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:38 pm Post subject: installs |
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There is a yahoo forum with step by step processes laid out for the install. It is intended for and restricted to folks who have either purchased tops or are seriously considering it. The entire process has been well documented and laid out. This thread documents the process being followed by Mike as he installs his top. We are in constant communication. _________________ NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 3 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 5 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2023 |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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For people who have just an ingling about the possibility/feasibility of going hightop will then appreciate this thread as it has no restrictions in the very early thought process Restrictions eliminate potential. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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JeffRobenolt Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1513 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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For me it is not if but when! I defiantly will be getting one.
Do you think it will be easier the finish the top off the van and sitting upside down?
I might need to paint mine and think it maybe to tall on the van to do that also.
Thanks for this post, much easier than a yahoo site. _________________ --------------------------------------------------------
jfats808 wrote: |
Most, some, few is not all. You can always learn something from everyone , even the fool. |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3039 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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jrobewesty wrote: |
For me it is not if but when! I defiantly will be getting one.
Do you think it will be easier the finish the top off the van and sitting upside down?
I might need to paint mine and think it maybe to tall on the van to do that also.
Thanks for this post, much easier than a yahoo site. |
Yes this site is much easier and I'll be doing the bulk of the inside work with the top off, going to paint it tomorrow.
Insulation and liner will be done top off too, can you imagine working with a large chunk of material like headined and trying to negotiate it inside with the top in place? Eeek |
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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photogdave wrote: |
What are you doing with the old top and tent? |
Sold the top ahead of time, going to be installing it sometime next week. |
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JeffRobenolt Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1513 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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With a white van I figured you would just leave the top the way it is. OR does it need paint to seal it or something like that???
Thanks Jeff _________________ --------------------------------------------------------
jfats808 wrote: |
Most, some, few is not all. You can always learn something from everyone , even the fool. |
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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The top is fine as it is but it's more brilliant white and my van is more pastel colored, I want more finished looki... I'm planning on doing some graphics On the top. |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5067 Location: denver
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Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:15 am Post subject: |
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purplepeopleeater wrote: |
I'm planning on doing some graphics On the top. |
Like in Cheech & Chongs Next Movie?
_________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3039 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:30 am Post subject: |
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I was thinking more along the lines of a black line down the side, not some acid induced painting, |
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Hodakaguy Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2012 Posts: 661 Location: Eastern WA
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Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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purplepeopleeater wrote: |
I was thinking more along the lines of a black line down the side, not some acid induced painting, |
I don't know... it might look good on YOUR rig lol.
Hodakaguy |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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Curious to see how much your gas mileage drops with the new top. |
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