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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2930
Location: North Carolina
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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 Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket bubble top or high top manufacturers? |
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Are there any updates on this thread?
Where and how to folks in North America get a hold of aftermarket or used hightops and how much do they go for?
And let me add to that > poptops...
I'd prefer a hightop but would take a poptop also....
Thanks
Ed
_________________
www.edwardpowell.com |
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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 29, 2016 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket bubble top or high top manufacturers? |
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We actually make 2 different high tops for T3 Vanagons
1.AdventureWagen tops made from the original AW top molds.
and the NAHT (North American High Top) that is made form a new mold
_________________
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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goskiracer
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009
Posts: 339
Location: Oslo, Norway
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 12:15 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket bubble top or high top manufacturers? |
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Paul, over at vwcamperroof.com makes exceptionally high quality roofs. That have many small design features that follow the lines and angles of the van.
See my thread here, page 4 for the install.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=505012&start=60
[/url]
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86' Syncro 2.2 Vanistan, WBXhaust, ski-pole shifter for +11hp |
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Vanhalla
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2016
Posts: 80
Location: Portland
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:50 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket bubble top or high top manufacturers? |
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Sorry to drag this from the depths of the forum.
I'm currently looking for a van and then a hightop. I can only find Fiberine and http://canadianhightops.ca/. Are there any more options since this thread tapered off? |
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airkooledchris
Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005
Posts: 2720
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| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:51 am Post subject: |
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those Canadiantop tops look pretty cool |
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drglaubnix
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2010
Posts: 21
Location: Brunswiek, Germany
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| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:43 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
under this URL
<http://www.dehler-service.de/osCommerce/product_info.php/products_id/28?osCsid=f4epoelkp2h4hg4jj1p4ac5hg5>
you'l find the original DehlerProfi roof like on mine, look at the Avatar
_________________
Greetings
Jürgen
Dehler Profi 1988
95 PS WBX MV
Build number 1156 |
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timber tech
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2010
Posts: 15
Location: notts uk
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| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:37 am Post subject: |
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The 10 replacement tops are being crated and shipped next week complete with windows and roof vent. Im very sorry for the delay but things went wrong that were beyond my control but lessons have been learned from it.
So go here http://canadianhightops.ca im sure John will be happy to help you |
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morymob
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2007
Posts: 4683
Location: east-tn
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 10:33 am Post subject: |
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| Anyone know if the hi-top off a late bay would fit onto a wbx or is the contour way off. |
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djbside
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2008
Posts: 114
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 8:02 am Post subject: |
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Why not just cut the top off an old Tin-Top at the base of the pillars, and weld it in place on the top of the other Van? Then just skin the windows with thin sheet metal and call it good!
KIDDING!!!!! 
I can see how using an old Econoline Van Top could work... With cutting it in to fourths and then trimming down the length and widths of each quarter till it fits, then glass it back together. I wonder if I can find an old Ambulance Top... Hmm...
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Brandon...'83 Westy "Rose" |
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reptiles
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009
Posts: 19
Location: PHILADELPHIA, PA
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 1:42 am Post subject: CF? |
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Hey, this is 2010; Where is the carbon fiber?
A few years ago, I made an intermold of the hood of my car in fiberglass, then made a carbon fiber/epoxy hood using a vacuum bag. A couple friends and I made 3 in my backyard (and a couple CF surfboards.) It was a fun project but an insulated van top would be a significant undertaking (even with existing molds.) Could easily cost $5,000 but would be stronger and lighter than fiberglass. |
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Sandi_k
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2010
Posts: 2
Location: NorCal
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: top |
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| J Charlton wrote: |
| You have an option - check out http://canadianhightops.ca Delivery chain issues are being worked out and the tops should start "flowing" soon. |
I looked at that thread, and it seems I have to go to Flagstaff to get it. Frankly, we don't have the time to drive it that far.
Any plans for a CA distributor?
Sandi |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4673
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 2:02 pm Post subject: |
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"I wonder if anyone has reconstructed a NA glass top (like Econoline) to fit a Vanagon."
This has been done and I used to have a link saved. The guy made cuts like + (seen from above, cutting the roof into quarters) in the top so he could make the top narrower and shorter front-to-back, then glassed it back to normal-looking. He also built some reinforcing ribs for the inside and lined it. |
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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: Wed May 26, 2010 1:37 pm Post subject: top |
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You have an option - check out http://canadianhightops.ca Delivery chain issues are being worked out and the tops should start "flowing" soon.
_________________
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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Sandi_k
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2010
Posts: 2
Location: NorCal
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 11:09 am Post subject: |
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| GhiaLover wrote: |
I just sold out - bought an Adventurewagen with one foot in the grave and am going to pull the top off of it. Hopefully it works out.
But as far as I can see, the options are:
1. Buy existing (if you can get one)
2. Pay about $2,000 at Fiberline (through Discountvantruck it might be a little cheaper)
3. Buy from Europe with crazy shipping (likely around $4,000 all-in)
4. Find someone to start up a new business with the existing molds, and since it sounds like a few people have tried that to no avail, I'm doubting that would be economically viable. |
That sounds about right. Grrr!
What does Sportsmobile use for their high-top piece? Who is their supplier?
Also, I just emailed my brother-in-law this thread. He owns a plastics shop in SoCal. Maybe we can beg for him to buy the AW molds. 
Sandi |
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Wolpi
Samba Member
Joined: December 25, 2009
Posts: 38
Location: Lacey, WA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to the photos!! |
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GhiaLover
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 25
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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We put the Aventurewagen top on last night. The whole exercise took about three hours.
Kirk Meeks from NorthWesty did all the cutting. We left all support struts in (I didn't want to weaken the frame any more than I had to) and cut out the sheet metal top.
The AdventureWagen top is secured by about 60 small screws, 30 along each side. There are no fasteners across the front or back, although it's caulked to the body with some pretty serious caulking.
So, the idea was (1) cut the roof out, (2) unscrew all fasteners on the donor van and cut the wires to the top's lighting system, (3) lift the roof off the donor and on to the recipient (four guys did this pretty easily) (4) drill and screw the top down along each side (using stainless steel screws) and (5) caulk all the way around, paying particular attention to the front and back.
It looks real good. I'll post pictures when it's light out tomorrow. |
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GhiaLover
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 25
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:30 am Post subject: |
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I just sold out - bought an Adventurewagen with one foot in the grave and am going to pull the top off of it. Hopefully it works out.
But as far as I can see, the options are:
1. Buy existing (if you can get one)
2. Pay about $2,000 at Fiberline (through Discountvantruck it might be a little cheaper)
3. Buy from Europe with crazy shipping (likely around $4,000 all-in)
4. Find someone to start up a new business with the existing molds, and since it sounds like a few people have tried that to no avail, I'm doubting that would be economically viable. |
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wiartonallan
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2006
Posts: 165
Location: Wiarton Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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I have been looking for a top for over a year. No luck. I have an 86 Syncro which I would like to make into a high (not that high as I am 5' 8") top. I wonder if anyone has reconstructed a NA glass top (like Econoline) to fit a Vanagon.
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wiartonallan
85 Westfalia/Bostig
18 Tigun
08 Frieghtliner Sprinter |
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blakeck2
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2009
Posts: 939
Location: Los Osos, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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| wildenbeast wrote: |
Well- that leaves importing the timber tech tops (which would be great) or someone would need to take on producing tops from the Adventurewagen molds. I exchanged messages with the current owner and he is willing to sell the molds for $1500 which is the cost he put into repairing the molds; http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanagon_awmolds/page3/
Since Sportsmobile thought they were too expensive to reproduce (and they fetch big $$$ for their products), I am having a hard time thinking a larger outfit will think it's worthwhile. It will require a smaller shop with plenty of fiberglass experience to pull it off. Otherwise, I would safely recon that high tops in the USA will slowly become extinct. |
This would be a great deal, I think it would be really cool if we can get enough people in on it and make the purchase and get the molds into circulation that way if you want it all you have to do is pay the initial cost to make the group buy and then the material to make the top, labor would be free as you make it yourself. |
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