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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 944
Location: Calgary, Canada
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 Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:22 pm Post subject: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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I realize this mod, in this form will not be for everyone - especially those who use the upper bed. But it may contain info others can use for other versions.
Following on from an earlier thread "Bolt-In Power Pop Top Kit"
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=699880,
I felt this thread might be better on its own.
http://www.griffco.ca/interest/vw/VWPowerPopTop.htm
The project is nearly complete, just some tidying up and wiring placement to do.
All in all, I am pleased with the results.
[Moderators - move or delete as required.]
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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hdenter
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2008
Posts: 2961
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Looks like a nice write up. Good pictures. I'm a little confused about the bed access. You state that you don't use the bed and that the actuators could be removed to use it. Then, shortly thereafter, you state that there is plenty of room between the bed edge and the tent. So... Is it, or is it not possible to mount this as you have and still use the bed?
Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender |
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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 944
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:01 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Thanks for the compliments.
I'm not sure of your interpretation of the text
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| You state that you don't use the bed and that the actuators could be removed to use it. |
The text said
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| We do not use the upper bunk as a bed so have removed the folding bed base, leaving plenty of room for actuators. If a future owner wished to return the van to original, it would be easy to remove the actuators. |
The intent is that a new owner could remove the actuators, re-install the bed and return the pop top to original - manually operated.
And
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| there is plenty of room between the bed edge and the tent. |
The text said
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| There is plenty of space between the bed base and the fibreglass top for the actuators |
I don't see where it says "between the bed edge and the tent".
So, no, I don't think it would be possible to use this mod and still retain the upper bed with its folding base and mattress. I would like to think someone could modify this mod and have the best of both worlds.
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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Gruppe B
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2007
Posts: 1331
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:06 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Great work!
Have you removed the H-bar with this modification? |
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cmayna
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 1173
Location: SF Bay area, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:13 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Very nice documentation. My shoulders would love it, if I went this route.
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'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Craig |
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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 944
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Gruppe B - I haven't removed the "H Bar", I refer to it as the Lifting Bar in the text.
After the tests I did, I feel it could be removed safely, but don't want to make it difficult to restore the van to original if needed.
I am will remove the bar temporarily to check the wear points soon, so will make a few more tests.
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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Gizmoman
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2011
Posts: 1561
Location: Nevada
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Excellent write-up! I believe the fiberglass lid actually has a wooden brace along each edge where you attached your maple pivots. I don't blame you for choosing the recessed area as it does appear stronger, but the wooden ribs built into the top edges run the full length. I know this as I have attached my roof-top carrier (made from electrical strut) to these internal braces.
Again, good job on the write-up. Mentioning the issues and how you resolved them really makes it informative.
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82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale). |
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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 944
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Thank you Gizmoman. I was aware of the full length wooden side beam but wanted to mount the pivot brackets just inboard from them. The reason being, each clevis pin will have a safety pin through the hole near the end (just visible in one photo). I needed room between the bracket and the wooden side beam to insert and remove this safety pin.
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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Gizmoman
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2011
Posts: 1561
Location: Nevada
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 9:21 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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| spitsnrovers wrote: |
| Thank you Gizmoman. I was aware of the full length wooden side beam but wanted to mount the pivot brackets just inboard from them. The reason being, each clevis pin will have a safety pin through the hole near the end (just visible in one photo). I needed room between the bracket and the wooden side beam to insert and remove this safety pin. |
Ahh, the details - makes perfect sense.
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82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale). |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8241
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 10:35 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Neato! It's nice to see some of the concerns raised in the other thread addressed by your real-life execution. Thanks for sharing.
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- Jim
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| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 4391
Location: SWVA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Lets see a video!
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin |
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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 944
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:15 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Well, the deed is done!
The power pop top DIY is in and working. In a couple of weeks we'll be making a road trip to fully test it.
Running on a test power supply delivering 750 ma, it takes 33 seconds to raise, and somewhat less to lower - gravity helps.
Sorry no video - I don't have the tech savvy on how to do that yet.
http://www.griffco.ca/interest/vw/VWPowerPopTop.htm
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4573
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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| spitsnrovers wrote: |
Well, the deed is done!
The power pop top DIY is in and working. In a couple of weeks we'll be making a road trip to fully test it.
Running on a test power supply delivering 750 ma, it takes 33 seconds to raise, and somewhat less to lower - gravity helps.
Sorry no video - I don't have the tech savvy on how to do that yet.
http://www.griffco.ca/interest/vw/VWPowerPopTop.htm |
updated the link
http://www.griffco.ca/VW/vwpowerpoptop.htm
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 944
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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Thank you Vanis13. I hadn't realized I made an error in my original post, and it is now too late to edit it.
I had wondered why there had been no interest in the project - now I know.
Just to let all know - the powered poptop works great.
The correct link is :http://www.griffco.ca/VW/vwpowerpoptop.htm
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'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 944
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2024 10:31 am Post subject: Re: Power Pop Top - DIY |
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I know it has been a long time, but the link above is no longer working.
The correct link now is:www.griffco.ca/VW/vwmods.html
Then scroll down to find the poptop mod.
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