Transporting stock Thing Hardtop In 1991 Westfalia? |
Not a chance in hell, buddy! |
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Maybe |
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Yes, I have done this exact thing and only scratched the F$#@ out of my...... |
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No, here are the dimensions that you asked for in your first post =)~ |
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Total Votes : 11 |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:34 am Post subject: Transporting stock Thing Hardtop In 1991 Westfalia? |
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Hello all:
I am always amazed at the cargo capacity of my 1974 Thing as well as my 1991 Westfalia, but, I am wondering before I venture all the way to Nevada from Portland to purchase a hardtop if anyone has had one inside a Westfalia. I can't drive the Thing down there as I am concerned about my soft top's state of disrepair and would hate to see it get trashed!
I am certain that the rear part will fit in the camper floor area, just curious as to if the corner can be turned and the front of the top can make it into the back. I am figuring that I will need to remove the posts from the top and that is not a big deal. Anyone done this before?
Anyone have measurements of a stock thing hardtop at the tip of their fingers?
Anyone rolling up from the Reno area to Portland in the next couple weeks?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Jeffrey _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!
Last edited by carterzest on Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:45 am; edited 4 times in total |
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CF Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2005 Posts: 802
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:45 am Post subject: |
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sorry to say it but with all the cabnets inside it would not fit..
why even risk the damage to the hard top..rent a trailer and haul it with the westy |
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spaeth Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2005 Posts: 355
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:47 am Post subject: |
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A thing hardtop just fits in the bed of my DoKa. I can't picture it fitting into a Westfalia with the cabinets, maybe it would go in a Multi Van, but in a Westy I really doubt you can get it in there.
Craig |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:15 am Post subject: |
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Prior to making a space judgement calls, I'd pick up the phone and call the guy that's selling you the hardtop & ask him the measurements.
The space is pretty tight inside of a Vanagon Westfalia--I'd inquire about the hardtops exact size. _________________ T.K. |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:24 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Anyone have measurements of a stock thing hardtop at the tip of their fingers?? |
Thanks all. I think it could fit. Tilt down, turn corner, lift up......push in? I can get a washer and dryer in a Westy, just do not have the measurements handy to verify.....Not a lot in back of a thing hardtop @ 3'....then tilt and turn and...just MAYBE? How long is it? How tall is it...Maybe it could slide in from the back on the roof, upside down, (with the support bars taken off).
Someone hook a brother up with some dimensions? Por favor? _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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devesvws Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 1540 Location: madison va
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mccabe Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Olympic Peninsula
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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Why take the risk? I think it might be time to borrow a truck from a friend or rent a U haul, trailer ect. _________________ 1991 Carat 2.1wbx
vans "checkerboards" size 9.5 |
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RGS Paul Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2007 Posts: 663 Location: Los Alamos, NM
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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Can you take the soft top off the Thing and drive it to get the hard top? It would be like driving an early car with no roof. Think of it as an adventure. Just get good driving goggles, and a killer hat with ear flaps, and see if you can borrow a shearing bomber jacket.
Paul _________________ '87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman |
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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4026 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: HArd top transportation |
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Or tow the Thing to your destination with the Vanagon and put the top on and tow it home.
That way you can keep warm and put some miles on your Thing as well. |
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GWTWTLW Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008 Posts: 2174 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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RGS Paul wrote: |
Can you take the soft top off the Thing and drive it to get the hard top? It would be like driving an early car with no roof. Think of it as an adventure. Just get good driving goggles, and a killer hat with ear flaps, and see if you can borrow a shearing bomber jacket.
Paul |
Road trip, baby! Woohoo!! When do we leave? Can you fit a couple of snowboards too? _________________ 89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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GWTWTLW wrote: |
RGS Paul wrote: |
Can you take the soft top off the Thing and drive it to get the hard top? It would be like driving an early car with no roof. Think of it as an adventure. Just get good driving goggles, and a killer hat with ear flaps, and see if you can borrow a shearing bomber jacket.
Paul |
Road trip, baby! Woohoo!! When do we leave? Can you fit a couple of snowboards too? |
Possibly Pete - Snowboards no problem! We may want to roll your syncro Westy though. that way if it gets damaged, NOT MY PROBLEM! Besides, yours is older I do like the idea of towing the Thing to PU the hardtop. Would have to do it with the Mercedes though as I have no hitch on the Westy. Got some dimensions....time to go out and do some measuring after the honey do list is done..
Uhaul out of the question and I am not sure about Greyhound. May be worth a call. I will let you know what I find out.
Strapping it to the top is an option, but not preferred option for me.
man130 wrote: |
basic dim. are 60" wide 83" long 21" high iff you more specific dim. e -mail me [email protected] |
_________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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bmwmango Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2007 Posts: 74 Location: Bayonne NJ
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Now that you've got the dimensions, mock up a 3 dimensional template hardtop out of furring strips.
If you can fit the template in, you should be able to fit the real thing (no pun intended).
If it doesn't fit, mount the template top on your Thing, drive to town and count the stares from the locals
A blue tarp is a nice upgrade for rainy weather. _________________ 1990 Westy converted to a Syncro Westy
2009 BMW R1200GS
1990 BMW K75
1986 BMW K75 Parts (Deer 1, Beemer 0) |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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It ain't gonna fit inside the Van---come hell or high water--no way Jose'.
Think Trailer.
The Silver Dog isn't gonna haul it either.
Forward Air will ship it cheaper than you can haul it. _________________ T.K. |
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject: Music Plays... |
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Shove is a many-splintered Thing!
<dodges hail of lug nuts>
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:34 am Post subject: |
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I like the idea of the bomber jacket, goggles, and you must have a scarf!! Think Snoopy on the doghouse flying against the Red Baron!!
Once you get there and install your hardtop, think how nice and comfy the drive back will be!! _________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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pj welch Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2008 Posts: 17 Location: 29 palms, ca
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:47 am Post subject: |
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I was going to measure the inside of my 84 Westy and the hardtop on my Thing, but I didnt even bother. There is no way it will fit. Also, be careful when moving the hardtop. I broke a side window by flexing the top too much when I took it out of the back of my truck. |
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