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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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 Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| Kombi///M3 wrote: |
| Do they come with back window? Hunt is on! |
I thought about a flip up rear window also. It would then allow you to store long objects inside from a rear hatch very easily. 
But as mentioned, with the large side windows it is very bright and open in the van now. Also installing the power vent on the rear deck increases the light coming from the vent cover.
After 6 months owning a NAHT I cannot express a single reason I would not make the swap again. My wife would agree!
I just sold my Pop Top and Sky Box that helped pay for the new High Top.
Everytime I look at my phone I want to take the van out and go camping!
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3052
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Kombi///M3
Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2011
Posts: 427
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Thanks Joetiger!
Syncrojael that’s a very nice looking van👍🏼
So is there anything else that holds the top to the van besides
Glue? |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| Kombi///M3 wrote: |
| So is there anything else that holds the top to the van besides Glue? |
The 2 part Epoxy and Tiger Seal that bonds the top to the van is incredibly strong.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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There are so many vans on the Samba and across the world that I admire more than mine. The time, effort, and funds to keep these wonderful vehicles on the road is immeasurable.
But thanks.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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J Charlton 
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 1546
Location: The True North Strong and Free
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| Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 6:39 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Thought I'd respond to a couple of the questions
Kombi///M3 wrote:
Do they come with back window? Hunt is on!
Several people have asked this in the past, a few have installed windows or hatches. In discussions with them prior to them doing a rear window install I ask them to carefully define what it is they hope to achieve with a rear window:
Ventilation? As folks have mentioned - the 2 side windows and the power vent provide excellent ventilation
Light? Yes - a rear window would provide more light - but, again, the two side windows are quite large and in daylight the "upstairs" is well lit
Down side to a rear window - Security!! How does one lock it? Its a very long reach over the rear bed platform to get to where you would have the window - in fact, one would have to literally climb up there to lock the window.
Having said the above, there are a couple of guys who ( in spite of the security issue) have added a marine hatch in the rear and use it to slide long surf boards into the van through it.
The area at the rear of the top is certainly large enough for a variety of windows and there are lots of available windows. I encourage folks to define carefully what they hope to achieve and then make a considered decision. The vast majority decide against installing one.
So is there anything else that holds the top to the van besides
Glue?
I don't know what it is that differentiates an "adhesive" from a "glue" but I know that the 2 part epoxy adhesive that we us is far different from any glue that I have ever used. Its the same "stuff" used to fasten vehicle body panels and aircraft wings. It forms an incredibly strong bond. Folks need to remember that the adhesion "power" of a through fastener - screw, bolt etc - is limited to the strength of 3 components - the fastener itself, then the strength of each of the 2 materials being held - and that this strength is localized to the immediate area being held together. With a 2 part adhesive bond, the area being bonded is far larger than that achieved with through fasteners and that bond does not deteriorate the strength of either the fibreglass or the steel van roof.
The secondary adhesive ( a 1 part adhesive) provides additional sealant and adhesive properties.
_________________
NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024 |
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Energy Concepts
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 352
Location: Yacolt, WA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Last edited by Energy Concepts on Sat Feb 15, 2020 10:34 am; edited 1 time in total |
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J Charlton
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 1546
Location: The True North Strong and Free
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 9:29 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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I am really pleased to welcome Gulf Coast Van Werks. gulfcoastvanwerks.com as our newest installer distributor of NAHT hightops . Gulf Coast Van Werks is located in Bradenton Florida - about an hour south west of Tampa - and does complete vanagon restorations, repowering etc as well as installing hightops. Their plans include having a small fleet of hightop rental vans available for Florida.
Welcome James Dimmer and Gulf Coast Van Werks !!
_________________
NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024 |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| dobryan wrote: |
Finally got to install the windows that come with the NAHT.
After a lot of head scratching this is what I did.
Decided to place the window fairly high in the side panel since I am going with a 4" mattress up top and I have seen that these windows tend to be a little low and near the mattress. Nothing I can really do except elevate it as much as reasonable.
Flipped the window and placed it on the outside of the top in the position I wanted. Traced the window frame outline.
Made marks 5/8" inside the outer frame outline as a cut line. This should give me 1/8 clearance or so around the window to insert it into the resulting hole.
Pray, call Joetiger for moral support and cut the outline with a jigsaw. (Ignore the extra inner line, that was an artifact of a failed idea.)
View from the inside shows the plywood backer in place from assembling the NAHT.
Then a laid a good bead of flexible marine adhesive on the flange so it would seal and hold the window in place. (It wil be a biotch if I ever decide to remove the window though.)
Slide the window in the hole and press to keep in place.
Go inside and attach the inner trim piece with 5/8" self tapping screws. (To facilitate this I pre-assembled 4 screws on the trim to the frame and then removed them for use when the window was in the hole. It made it much easier to align the trim with the frame since I had those 4 already set in their location. One on each side, top, and bottom.)
I will replace the stainless screws with black ones....
All done. Now on to the Fantastic Vent tomorrow.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7466
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 9:03 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| Syncro Jael wrote: |
I just sold my Pop Top and Sky Box that helped pay for the new High Top.
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I don't recall the exact math I used but in the end I think I had the high-top install funding the first three years of my retirement (whenever that actually happens).  
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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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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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7466
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2020 2:18 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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High-top build thread and roof rack options...
This thread is a great source of info, but it's hard to find stuff in the 60 pages of posts. At the risk of reposting, below are some high-top roof rack threads.
This is a good build thread on thesamba with a notable backstory and info on a Thule high-top rack option.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
I'm now on the search for a Thule 420 high-top roof rack that I can get in the US or shipped to the US...
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/roof-rack/roof-rack-components-and-accessories/thule-420-_-420000
Here's another (possibly less elegant) turnkey solution...
https://vantech.us/product/h1-diy-rack-system-for-conversion-vans/
Here's a custom roof rack build thread...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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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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Bcassin
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2009
Posts: 13
Location: MA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 10:07 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Ron,
Where did you get the mountain stickers on the NAHT shell? Looking for inspiration.
Anyone else using decals of some sort? |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 10:57 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| Bcassin wrote: |
Ron,
Where did you get the mountain stickers on the NAHT shell? Looking for inspiration.
Anyone else using decals of some sort? |
Lots of choices here:
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=car+mountain+decal
Mine's kinda bland but it fills the space a bit.
I've seen some cool ones on the big back area as well.
Here's a world map decal for the back:
Link
_________________
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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Bcassin
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2009
Posts: 13
Location: MA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| Oh wow this is a rabbit hole! Thanks joetiger! |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7466
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| Bcassin wrote: |
| Oh wow this is a rabbit hole! |
You came to the right place...
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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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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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 6:51 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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| Bcassin wrote: |
Ron,
Where did you get the mountain stickers on the NAHT shell? Looking for inspiration.
Anyone else using decals of some sort? |
I cut them myself. It is enough to break up all the white. But keeping a light colored top really helps keep the interior of the van cooler.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:18 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Ok...Perhaps we need to do a Poll and start voting for Absolute Best License Plates!
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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tjet
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 3533
Location: CA & NM
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 8:38 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Here's my hightop rendering...
Maybe in a year or two after I re-engine it.
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