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tsombrero1 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2006 Posts: 288 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:53 am Post subject: |
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Dharma_Bum wrote: |
I am curious how the 3-window Sunbrella would roll up with the pop-top closed. |
Mine rolls up just fine, I'd say it's a non-issue _________________ Tennessee Sombrero
1988 Westy, Syncro-nated
2003 Aprilia Caponord (now with Jif)
Atari 2600
1970 Earthbound Humanoid |
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airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2713
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:20 am Post subject: |
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dragonfire709 wrote: |
Thanks Mightyart!
Lets try this;
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they make those visors for vanagons also?
is there any benifit in them, other than as a sun shade and to look funky?
just wondering how they effect the drag/wind. |
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tom power Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2006 Posts: 16
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject: Sunbrella canvas |
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I bought mine from go-westy sunbrella ?? I guess they can't use that name anymore, they now call them acrilic. Anyway the fabric is good, no rain passes through. I paid a auto top place to do the install, Nice job. Sometimes it makes no sense getting into a project like this where you really need the outcome to be perfect. Job wasn't cheap $550 to put it on, and yes they removed the roof to to it. |
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mamalemon Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject: Pop Top Replacement |
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First timer here! Welcome to me!
O.K. I'm getting a little less courageous about tackling the replacing of my '84 pop top canvas. Anyone know of a person/business who will do it for a very reasonable price in Vancouver/Burnaby? Is the best place to buy the canvas from gowesty? Also, is there a place that will give you a "tour" of the camper, how things work, etc. I'm new to the world of campers too. Does the Camper Supplement for the westfalia help?
Thanks! |
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Cat and Walter Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2006 Posts: 244 Location: Soutern Utah
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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my wife and I are going to do our canvas, ours screws in i believe. it's an 89 and i saw screws. |
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scottcollins72 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Coquitlam B.C. Canada
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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mamalemon, You bring it to my house in coquitlam and we'll have a go. Mine's in great shape so no need to futz with it but I'm always willing to have a go with anything Vanagon/Westy. Always happy to meet another local. PM me if you're interested. Bring loads of beer.
Cheers
Scott. |
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dragonfire709 Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2005 Posts: 154 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:52 am Post subject: |
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Aircooledchris
I dont think there is any great benefit to the visor on my friends Van, just breacks up the whiteness of the van. I know that over 60ish he complains of it wobbing about a bit, but on these beasts we dont find dragb to be a major issue!! _________________ My name is Roy |
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mcbrydem Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Wabash, Indiana
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: Bus Depot top trouble |
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I've just tried installing one of those less-expsnsive Bus Depot tops on my '84, which has the screw-on top. Unlike the original, the top lacks a bead. I started by anchoring the top (top off and upside down) at the midpoint of each side (four screws) and then pulling it into the corners. At the first stretch, the first screw just ripped out. Should I try another approach? Bus Depot says this isn't too hard to do, but I don't want to keep tearig the top. Happy for any suggestions. |
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wbx Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2005 Posts: 1254 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Depot top trouble |
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mcbrydem wrote: |
Should I try another approach? Bus Depot says this isn't too hard to do, but I don't want to keep tearig the top. Happy for any suggestions. |
Does it not have any sort of edging or seamed edge? Just fabric that is cut and nothing else? If that is the case, i would definitely return it. Otherwise, it will just fray and come apart. The one i bought from bus depot years ago had a grey fabric edging to prevent fraying.
Assuming you have some sort of anti-fray thing, try just tacking it up along the top edge every third screw or so, working your way out from the middle, going all the way around. You don't need to pull hard - just take out the slack.
This will hold the canvas in place as you install the top/canvas combo. Then you can do the more cosmetically obvious work of the bead along the inside of the van and get that right. Then you switch back to the top and take all the slack out, starting in the middle working your way out to the sides (alternating L/R) with the top up.
This is what i did, and am very happy with the install (despite the cheap material), but it also sounds like mine was bigger than the average canvas, so YMMV. _________________ '84 Westy (first owner).......but my daily driver has pedals
My "perspective" mantra:
A Volkswagen Vanagon is just a material thing,
As such, it is of the earth,
And if i need to, I can let my Van go. |
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mcbrydem Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Wabash, Indiana
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:05 am Post subject: Westy pop top |
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It does have a hem, so it's not just plain fabric. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that when I get back from vacation. |
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Penttila4 Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Vancouver,WA
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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What is a good website for instructions on how to install the new canvas for the pop top? |
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westylife Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007 Posts: 409 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Penttila4 wrote: |
What is a good website for instructions on how to install the new canvas for the pop top? |
http://www.limbobus.org/poptop.htm
Hope you didn't buy the one from Just Krapers! _________________ 1983.5 Westfalia Bostig RG1 |
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jerrydog411 Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009 Posts: 388 Location: North Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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rudar wrote: |
Would it be possible/ advisable to ``upgrade'' from the staple system to one using screws if and when I get around to replacing the canvas? All one would need, it seems, is a rail with some grip to it and holes for the screws; I'd imagine something from the insulation section of the hardware store could be pressed into duty... |
My question precisely. I was chatting with Peter at Van-Cafe today and he suggested I ask on TheSamba ... did my search and am now 'quoting' an almost five year old post.
I have an '82 and before I go tearing into this job; does anyone have any experience as to whether the wooden strips can be replaced with a salvaged set of the aluminum rails and appropriate screws.
Hopefully someone has been through this and successfully atempted this 'upgrade'.
Thanks,
John
1982 intercooled 1.9TD Westy with JX pump |
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JN99 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2011 Posts: 96 Location: Redmond, WA
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Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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Wow as a prospective buyer looking for our first Westy I am glad I stumbled upon this thread. No more looking at ripped, stained, moldy tents and saying "they can be replaced and aren't too expensive" Now it will be "they can be replaced and aren't too expensive but someonelse is doing it because I will end up in fits of rage" (because I AM just that type). I can totally relate to the comments here on some of the work and getting pissed off - and as such I had to laugh!
Either that or after we borrow our friend's Westy to confirm we want to buy one, we'll then have them over for a tent replacement "party" on our new purchase. Hey, what are friends for? |
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whynotvw Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1322
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Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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I used www.atelierspk.com Very happy with it. Made in Canada. I paid $485 shipped to California in 8 days.( 2 years ago) Acrylic with three windows.
I heard of horror stories of how fitment can be a issue on cheaper tents so I made sure I went with the best company.
Ben, reputable restorer in Canada recommended which was good enough for me, knowing how many Westy's he restores.
I installed it myself with no help in 8 hours with the top on. (first time) Fitment was like Armani suit or Hugo Boss suit. near perfect.
honestly it was not that hard installing it, bit time consuming but not hard at all. having a few handy tools will definitely help
I'm glad I went with this company because they are not a middle man like gowesty or bus depot or van cafe. they make it themselves.
these are some useful tools to have. The speaker stand you can buy and return at SAM ASh or Guitar Center.
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Microbusdeluxe Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2003 Posts: 980 Location: Bellingham, WA
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:00 am Post subject: |
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Getting ready to do this on my '81. From the photos and comments I can't see if folks left the rear hinges attached to the top or left them on the van or if it doesn't matter. Any tips would be appreciated. (I'm going to remove & invert the top to do the job) _________________ '69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig! |
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BillWYellowstone Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2011 Posts: 767 Location: Yellowstone NP
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:01 am Post subject: |
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Westylife, Fantastic write-up! Now to find 3 guys. Fortunately, my top is OK, but figure I need this at some point for my 86, also happy to have an 86 without staples.
With our nomadic lifestyle the 3 other guys, if I find them, I am probably best off just geting the canvas while they are near! |
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edgood1 Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004 Posts: 2049 Location: Plymouth, MA
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:31 am Post subject: |
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I bought the most expensive one from GoWesty and although it is well made, it did not fit.
I removed and reinstalled several times but it just wouldn't work on the bottom part. I had to fudge it a little by cutting the aluminum strips. _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia |
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GBA 88West LA Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008 Posts: 1279 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:53 am Post subject: |
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i was under the impression they are suppose to be tight on the initial install because they will "loosen" up over time...if you start loose she will be flapping in the wind after a couple years ...its a fine line , definately a PITA job but very gratifying every time you pop the top and marvel at your work and can say "yeah i installed that" _________________ 88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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There are clearly 2 schools of thought here: those who remove and invert the top and those who replace the canvas with the top in situ.
I took the latter approach simply because I was alone in the middle of almost nowhere. The replacement with the top is place was really pretty easy.
I got to do it twice because the first canvas was totally incorrect and would not come close to fitting. After that I measured before installing and when I got to the 4th canvas I found one that was correct.
Both methods are no doubt fine, but no that if you must try this solo it can be done. Pics on request. |
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