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BlueWeasel
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018
Posts: 29
Location: Bellaire, TX
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 Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 1:49 pm Post subject: Westy Compatibility |
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Can a Vanagon Westy top be used on a Bay?
I've not managed to find a Westfalia top for a Bay that doesn't cost $8500 with install so I thought I'd see if it can be salvaged from the more common Vanagon hulks. |
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Angus II
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2016
Posts: 708
Location: Mammoth Lakes Ca. 93546
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| Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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Hello, I'll say no on that one.
$8500 for putting a pop top on?? Are you trying to make a tin top into an westy???. sectioning a new roof to the body? |
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KrisBalfe
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 832
Location: SLC
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| Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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| Nope. |
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BlueWeasel
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018
Posts: 29
Location: Bellaire, TX
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| Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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| Angus II wrote: |
Hello, I'll say no on that one.
$8500 for putting a pop top on?? Are you trying to make a tin top into an westy???. sectioning a new roof to the body? |
Sites offering tin top to Westy conversions, yes.
If there's someone that just sells the tops, supports, and whatnot my Googling hasn't found them yet. |
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coolerthanelvis
Samba Member
Joined: June 30, 2003
Posts: 924
Location: San Diego, CA
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OB Bus
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2541
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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BlueWeasel
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018
Posts: 29
Location: Bellaire, TX
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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I keep forgetting that there's a split between parts and vehicles here.
There's some good leads there, thanks. |
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Angus II
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2016
Posts: 708
Location: Mammoth Lakes Ca. 93546
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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Hello,
The year split/difference in pop tops are 68-72 then 73-79. So what ever year your bus is, stay in that group so your top opens the correct way. Well, if that matters to you.... and the air ducts changed in 72 so that could effect the splicing/matting of the top if they are doing splice at the post....
I had to buy a new pop top piece for my bus(long story) but, the one I found was a complete top section like you are looking for a conversion. It was $900. They are out there..
Heck, $8500 for a top swap, I may have to get back into body work.... |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51149
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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| Angus II wrote: |
Heck, $8500 for a top swap, I may have to get back into body work.... |
That may be for installing a Spaceroof, shipping from the UK and parts cost may be a factor, or they are just hosing him for spiffing up a $200 junkyard find.
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BlueWeasel
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018
Posts: 29
Location: Bellaire, TX
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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| Angus II wrote: |
Hello,
The year split/difference in pop tops are 68-72 then 73-79. So what ever year your bus is, stay in that group so your top opens the correct way. Well, if that matters to you.... and the air ducts changed in 72 so that could effect the splicing/matting of the top if they are doing splice at the post....
I had to buy a new pop top piece for my bus(long story) but, the one I found was a complete top section like you are looking for a conversion. It was $900. They are out there..
Heck, $8500 for a top swap, I may have to get back into body work.... |
Thanks. I'm still searching for a bus. Was trying to figure if I could salvage one from a Vanagon to a Bay. Fortunately I think I've got the info I need ahead of making any purchases.  Really appreciate the insight! |
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Angus II
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2016
Posts: 708
Location: Mammoth Lakes Ca. 93546
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
| Angus II wrote: |
Heck, $8500 for a top swap, I may have to get back into body work.... |
That may be for installing a Spaceroof, shipping from the UK and parts cost may be a factor, or they are just hosing him for spiffing up a $200 junkyard find. |
Hello,
Junk yard find, funny you say that.
I was just going to have him look at the post "1974 Westfalia Junk Yard". That kid may have what he wants, but he is in Wisconsin...
Have the kid cut the roof off and go get it, Texas to Wisconsin isn't that far...
I'd just deal with the bus being what it is, a tin top... if you want a pop top westy buy one, don't make one...
Have Fun... Yet, keep it simple... |
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BlueWeasel
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018
Posts: 29
Location: Bellaire, TX
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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If I buy a tin top, it won't remain a tin top.
If I have to settle (best price/opportunity) for a high top it DAMN SURE won't remain a high top. Those are abominations and I'm short. |
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Angus II
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2016
Posts: 708
Location: Mammoth Lakes Ca. 93546
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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Hello, ??? WTF...
Hell, there you go big boy.. Buy an Original pop top Westfalia then. Save yourself some money and hassle. And, our time.
Why did you start this post/thread, if you don't have the bus in the first place?(to do a roof swap on).
I don't follow you.
But Hell Yea, you are 100% correct for sure; a Vanagon roof will fit on top of a baywindow bus just fine:wink:  .... Heck, so will a bug for that fact. I've seen them.
You can hack anything together, you just have to have that "vision" first..... Have fun with your virtual bus. |
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BlueWeasel
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018
Posts: 29
Location: Bellaire, TX
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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| Angus II wrote: |
Hello, ??? WTF...
Hell, there you go big boy.. Buy an Original pop top Westfalia then. Save yourself some money and hassle. And, our time.
Why did you start this post/thread, if you don't have the bus in the first place?(to do a roof swap on).
I don't follow you.
But Hell Yea, you are 100% correct for sure; a Vanagon roof will fit on top of a baywindow bus just fine:wink: .... Heck, so will a bug for that fact. I've seen them.
You can hack anything together, you just have to have that "vision" first..... Have fun with your virtual bus. |
I could have predicted this would go from helpful to grognard.
As the VERY FIRST post indicated I was trying to determine if there was a different size between Bays and Vanagons. But as soon as someone brings up cutting (that's perceived as unnecessary) on a bus all civility goes out the window.
There are scrap Vanagons from time to time.
There are scrap Bays from time to time.
There are intact Vanagons around. There are intact Bays around.
Sometimes there's a scrap candidate with a Westy and an intact without that aren't the same chassis.
So I was trying to figure out if I can buy the top from whichever scrap one I find and use it in either scenario for an intact purchase.
It's now clear that I cannot. At least you were helpful long enough for me to get the info I need so I can make the fantasy a reality.
Jerk. |
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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7632
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Compatibility |
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This thread went south fast. 
Width of bay window bus 67.7”
Width of Vanagon 72.6”
Legit question even though most of us know the answer. BlueWeasel. Dont get butt hurt and tap out. All these guys will help. Even the people that get feisty or sarcastic. However, “High tops” are cool. Not my thing. But high tops are very cool. They are not abominations. Just different. Like people. Same same but different
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