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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 8:40 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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tjet wrote: |
Here's my hightop rendering...
Maybe in a year or two after I re-engine it.
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Definitely going to need a higher garage! _________________ 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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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2795 Location: North Carolina
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MayorMcCheese Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2009 Posts: 658 Location: Lancaster PA
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Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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jimf909 wrote: |
High-top build thread and roof rack options...
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How do you get up there to load anything? It's hard enough to load kayaks on my westy with a step ladder. |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7462 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:56 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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MayorMcCheese wrote: |
jimf909 wrote: |
High-top build thread and roof rack options...
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How do you get up there to load anything? It's hard enough to load kayaks on my westy with a step ladder. |
I'm planning on solar panels on the top and attaching SUPs or a kayak to the side.
As for the dude with the kayak way up top, he mentions a few ways of getting the kayak or canoe up to the top. each appeared to require anti-gravity-judo effects of some sort. _________________ - 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 8:14 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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[/quote]
How do you get up there to load anything? It's hard enough to load kayaks on my westy with a step ladder.[/quote]
I'm planning on solar panels on the top and attaching SUPs or a kayak to the side.
As for the dude with the kayak way up top, he mentions a few ways of getting the kayak or canoe up to the top. each appeared to require anti-gravity-judo effects of some sort.[/quote]
Pretty sure that the fellow with the kayak on top uses a "loading bar" or "loading arm" Its a removable bar that would extend outward from the top of the rack about 3 feet. You attach it, then put the front of the kayak/canoe on the bar - then standing on whatever, lift the rear of the kayak up and onto the rack at the rear - slide the front across the bar and onto the rack at the front and its done. You are never lifting more than 50% of the weight of the kayak. _________________ 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:12 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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In about 24 hours, Terry - our hightop fabricator, and I will be leaving to pull my trailer with 12 NAHT hightops on board to Staunton Va. I would ordinarily post a picture here with the tops on the trailer ready to go - but the picture Terry sent me was of the tops on the trailer after a 12" snowfall at his location - white tops covered with white snow on a trailer covered with snow against a totally white background - ie. nothing to see
In any case we'll be leaving tomorrow (March 1) and will be dropping the tops at Complete Auto in Staunton with Keith MacDonald Monday morning - a couple of folks have availed themselves of the "production run discount" for both Staunton Va distribution and Bradenton Florida distribution (Gulf Coast Van Werks https://gulfcoastvanwerks.com/ ). Anyone else who has expressed an interest in the tops on the Eastern Seaboard has been contacted a number of times by email so I feel that there has been ample opportunity to avoid the inevitable price increase of the tops in 2020.
Terry will, over the next 18 months, be taking a larger role in the entire NAHT hightop endeavour. He will be involved in the distribution and installation sides of the hightop scene as well as manufacturing.
We are well into the production of the numbers of tops required for distribution to the West and PNW with the "production run discount" for those areas ending on March 31 and the delivery run scheduled for early April _________________ 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
Last edited by J Charlton on Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4491 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:16 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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J Charlton wrote: |
...but the picture Terry sent me was of the tops on the trailer after a 12" snowfall at his location - white tops covered with white snow on a trailer covered with snow against a totally white background - ie. nothing to see
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Probably looks like a highroof van. _________________ '87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6829 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:08 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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J Charlton wrote: |
In about 24 hours, Terry - our hightop fabricator, and I will be leaving to pull my trailer with 12 NAHT hightops on board to Staunton Va. I would ordinarily post a picture here with the tops on the trailer ready to go - but the picture Terry sent me was of the tops on the trailer after a 12" snowfall at his location - white tops covered with white snow on a trailer covered with snow against a totally white background - ie. nothing to see
In any case we'll be leaving tomorrow (March 1) and will be dropping the tops at Complete Auto in Staunton with Keith MacDonald Monday morning - a couple of folks have availed themselves of the "production run discount" for both Staunton Va distribution and Bradenton Florida distribution (Gulf Coast Wagenwerks). Anyone else who has expressed an interest in the tops on the Eastern Seaboard has been contacted a number of times by email so I feel that there has been ample opportunity to avoid the inevitable price increase of the tops in 2020.
Terry will, over the next 18 months, be taking a larger role in the entire NAHT hightop endeavour. He will be involved in the distribution and installation sides of the hightop scene as well as manufacturing.
We are well into the production of the numbers of tops required for distribution to the West and PNW with the "production run discount" for those areas ending on March 31 and the delivery run scheduled for early April |
Do you have a "snowtop" in front of your house like a snowman?
Sounds like good news for the business! Glad to hear it.
Have you a website or contact for "Gulf Coast Wagonwerks"? I did not find anything through an internet search or Samba Business Listing. _________________ 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:46 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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I don't have a "snow top" on the front lawn - but I do have two hightopped vans with an igloo like snow cap on each in my driveway
Sorry about the Gulf Coast misinformation - It should be Gulf Coast Van Werks https://gulfcoastvanwerks.com/ - I'll make that correction
J.C. _________________ 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: 16501 Location: Brookeville, MD
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7462 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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J Charlton wrote: |
Pretty sure that the fellow with the kayak on top uses a "loading bar" or "loading arm" Its a removable bar that would extend outward from the top of the rack about 3 feet. You attach it, then put the front of the kayak/canoe on the bar - then standing on whatever, lift the rear of the kayak up and onto the rack at the rear - slide the front across the bar and onto the rack at the front and its done. You are never lifting more than 50% of the weight of the kayak. |
Thats a great explanation of the process. The extension bars could be stowed inside the rack crossbars.
With a reasonably lightweight kayak this could possibly be done with a RMW ladder mounted on the side of the van and fitted stick of some sort to lift the second end of the boat after the first end was loaded onto the extension bar.
- insert bow and stern lines into the boat
- lift the bow of the boat onto the extension bar
- lift the stern using the fitted stick (a broom handle that attaches or hooks to the boat)
- climb the RMW ladder, push the boat onto the rack, secures straps
- climb down and attach the bow and stern straps
Voila!
Or use side hooks similar to these used for a rowing shell:
_________________ - 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Our fabricator Terry and I drove from Toronto to Staunton Va on March 1 to drop tops off for the Staunton area and Florida.
12 tops 11 window sets (discovered 1 set was damaged - I'll have to ship a replacement) in total 6 are allocated for install or DIY pickup from Complete Auto in Staunton and a further 6 will be picked up and taken to Bradenton Fl for Gulf Coast Van Werks for installs or DIY pickup there
Now - on to completing the run of tops for Colorado, Salt lake City, California and Washington. Delivery to take place mid April _________________ 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: 16501 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Here is my post on finishing a portion of my NAHT for my euro bus project.
Now on to finishing up the inside of the NAHT, at least the bottom portion.
I wanted to have a bed platform that could slide out from under the rear portion without having to unload the rear platform portion. I also wanted to have an option to make a longer than normal bed and also have a way to keep stuff from sliding forward when driving, these two came together well.
I started by using a level to determine how tall I needed to have the side framing to allow the lower bed pull out to clear the tin top by about 1/4".
Then I glued and screwed together sets of 3 1x4 pieces of clear pine to create the side frame and lower bed runner recess.
These were then cut on a table saw to match the angle based on the curved tin top portion. The angle came out to about 10 degrees for my application. (I did cut the first piece backwards regarding the angle and had to buy some more wood. D'Oh.)
Next I needed to create recesses in the frames to clear the ribs in the tin top. I used a skill saw to make cuts that could easily be knocked out by a wood chisel.
Of course these frames had to be done in two pieces per side since there is not full length access. I used a small piece of leftover pine to splice the frames on the outside.
Now the frames could be glued in place using the same two part panel adhesive I used to adhere the NAHT. (No pics of the actual process but clamps and weights were involved.)
These pics are prior to gluing.
Now I used clear 2x4 squared pine to make a frame around the opening. By holding the pine against the curve of the tin top for the front and back I could trace the outline on the wood and use a jig saw with a fine blade to follow the curve. I could then use the panel adhesive and clamps to bond the frame to the tin top. The sides were done with just a bottom piece.
The front storage area bottom section has to be installed in two pieces since there is not enough room to get one big piece up thru the opening and turned to fit the bottom. I added a center rib. The wiring is for future power outlets and lighting.
For the rear bed I wanted to be able to accommodate a 6' 8" bed (we are tall folks). That was going to be too long to fully pull out and have enough of a hole for access to the top. So I decided to hinge the last 6 inches. This solves three issues. The lower bed platform to make 6' 8" would be too big to fit up there in one piece but would be OK if I cut 6" off it. Now the pull out bed could be folded back 6" to allow access, still be able to install it, AND that 6" hinged section could be folded up at 90 degrees to stop stuff up top from sliding forward. The pics show it better.
The rear bed pull out platform was made from 3/4 high grade plywood so it would not bend at all under load.
The fixed rear bed platform was made with 1/2" plywood cut in two sections, one rear, and one forward. One piece would be too big to fit through the opening.
All the bed pieces and the forward storage base were finished in the same gray marine carpeting used on the inside of the NAHT.
Front storage portion.
Rear pull out in place before fixed portion installed.
Fixed two pieces test fitted.
All bed pieces covered.
Note that the access frame has been finished off by clear pine 1x4 sealed with polyurethane trimmed to width and glued in place to give a clean look.
The lower bed portion partially pulled out and the hinged section up. (I need to make some stops/wedges to hold it in the position for travel.)
The bed pulled out. It can be pulled out to whatever length is needed. If you want the full 6' 8" version you fold back the hinged portion to get up top and then fold it down for the full length bed....
The view from below.
One of the nice side benefits of this setup is the ability to completely close off the upper portion of the high top from below (not while you are up top of course). This allows me to completely keep prying eyes away from whatever may be up there... or keep whatever is up there from being able to hit me in the back of the head in the event of an accident.
Next for the high top is to finish the vent, add a front bulkhead with tambour door, and add lighting and power outlets. _________________ 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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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3018 Location: MD
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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That looks great! _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7462 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 9:59 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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^^^Brilliant! I've been waiting for this post. _________________ - 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Great job David. One of the most rewarding things about this entire hightop endeavour has been seeing how folks have individualized their install to fit their needs.
Another variation of a bed was done by David S. of Vancouver Wa. a number of years ago. His featured a bed extension that extended lengthwise over the entire opening but over only half of the width. He used it this way when he was soloing
Perhaps if he reads this he could post some pics of his adaptation.
EDIT I found David's old post - a fair bit of the install process has been updated since then but his treatment of the upstairs bed is interesting
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=0.
Again - great job David O. _________________ 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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jamin307 Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2015 Posts: 82 Location: Denver, Colorado
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Dropped my van off with the guys at Urabus over the weekend, pumped!
Full disclosure - no conversations took place, we unfortunately we all had to settle for a wave through the shop windows. I wiped down the interior of the van and the exterior door handles with bleach wipes before leaving.
Can't wait to pick it up, although I admit I'm a little nervous to see it looking so different. |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5076 Location: denver
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Congrats! The first time you see it, it's a mind bender... Takes a bit to get used to it. _________________ 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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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7462 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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^^^ You're going to love it! consider putting the fan (if you have one) on the rear deck similar to syncro jael and dobryan. _________________ - 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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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5076 Location: denver
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 9:33 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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jimf909 wrote: |
^^^ You're going to love it! consider putting the fan (if you have one) on the rear deck similar to syncro jael and dobryan. |
I very much prefer the exterior look of the fan mounted over the back, but for my van it wouldn't have worked out as well. I have soft gear packed to the roof back there on trips so I don't know if I'd get good flow. And I like the extra light so the center fan mount works well for me.
Here's a pic from where I'm sitting right now.
_________________ 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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