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calsurf
Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2022
Posts: 194
Location: SoCal
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 Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:43 am Post subject: Re: Another Syncro Tintop to Hightop Camper Converson - Long |
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| Wow, 1st time seeing this thread. I love the loyalty staying with it. How many miles have you put on the motor? Would imagine a lot of mods since 2013. |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4383
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:04 am Post subject: Re: Another Syncro Tintop to Hightop Camper Converson - Long |
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That's super rough. Hopefully this rebuild lasts much longer.
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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Atadloco
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2012
Posts: 257
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Another Syncro Tintop to Hightop Camper Converson - Long |
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| Holy thread revival batman!! Glad to see she lives!! |
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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 452
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Another Syncro Tintop to Hightop Camper Converson - Long |
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She lives on!
Got her back recently from Reference Automotive here in Bellingham after a full transmission rebuild (by Rancho) - thanks Josh! A bolt came loose in the transmission, punched a hole, drained the oil and seized it, needless to say lots of damage and North of $10k altogether with a new clutch, upgraded starter motor etc.. Almost certainly the result of a poor transmission rebuild only 40k miles ago by a certain infamous VW shop in NE Portland. She shifts great now!
_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517
Last edited by shepherdsond on Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:07 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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cptgreenvalley
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2011
Posts: 86
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feedback and the link.
Lets just hope that I can get my hands on a few tubes of that kickass epoxy here in Norway...
Yeah Im gonna go with the same approach as the link you sent. We will be sleeping mostly downstair anyways. But if needed one or two can fit up in the roof. My bay popup (sportsman conversion) is actually lower up there than the westfalia high top will be and I was fine up there.
Thanks
_________________
1979 T2 Camper 2.0FI - Sportsman Conversion ( US import)
1987 T3 Syncro Vanagon 1.9TD ( Decoupler, Double Diffs, Westfalia conversion)
1991 Golf MK2 Country Syncro 1.8
2010 BMW 330xd & 320xd |
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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: Sun Feb 02, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject: size of opening |
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Similar to the other post. Check out http://canadianhightops.ca/installphotos.html for pics that should give you a pretty exact indication of the location and size of the opening.. If in doubt, email me for more details.
Re the "glue". Its the same epoxy material that aircraft wings made out of carbon fibre are fastened together with.
_________________
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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cptgreenvalley
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2011
Posts: 86
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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Do you have the measurements of the hole in the roof? Your size seems perfect and I would probably follow your lead instead of cutting the roof of the whole car. Also I can't believe the only thing holding this to the car is glue? On the westfalia high roof I just bought it seems to be some welding involved as well.
By the way what gearbox do you have? How is it running on the highway... mine is not build for speed thats for sure, but I guess one can't get both off road and highway performance.
Thanks
_________________
1979 T2 Camper 2.0FI - Sportsman Conversion ( US import)
1987 T3 Syncro Vanagon 1.9TD ( Decoupler, Double Diffs, Westfalia conversion)
1991 Golf MK2 Country Syncro 1.8
2010 BMW 330xd & 320xd |
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cptgreenvalley
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2011
Posts: 86
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 12:51 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for clearing that up
Cant wait to start my own high top conversion 
_________________
1979 T2 Camper 2.0FI - Sportsman Conversion ( US import)
1987 T3 Syncro Vanagon 1.9TD ( Decoupler, Double Diffs, Westfalia conversion)
1991 Golf MK2 Country Syncro 1.8
2010 BMW 330xd & 320xd |
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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 452
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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There is room to climb down into the van through the gap between the end of the bed and the front edge of the roof hole. Just the same as with a Westy (although a bit more difficult as you dont have the same height that you have with a Westy pop top tent which allows you to sit on the edge before descending).
_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517 |
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cptgreenvalley
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2011
Posts: 86
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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Great build thread!
I take it if two camping guest where to sleep up in the top, they are isolated from the rest of the van due to the bed filling the hole downstairs?
I want to do something similar but would try to incorporate some kind of a emergency exit upstairs, specially for winter camping with the propane or diesel heater running through the night.
Cheers
Magnus
_________________
1979 T2 Camper 2.0FI - Sportsman Conversion ( US import)
1987 T3 Syncro Vanagon 1.9TD ( Decoupler, Double Diffs, Westfalia conversion)
1991 Golf MK2 Country Syncro 1.8
2010 BMW 330xd & 320xd |
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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 452
Location: Bellingham, WA
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kuleinc
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2007
Posts: 1604
Location: East Bay Area, California
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t'sunamibus
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2012
Posts: 202
Location: Westport, Washington
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| Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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Looks great!
The kayak shot makes never being able to use a Mc D's drive thru worth it  |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3465
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: loading a kayak |
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| J Charlton wrote: |
| Think about using a boat loading bar - . |
Yep, it might not work given the height of the hi-top but it's probably just what the doctor ordered for Hans' poptop. With my Yakima boat bar and gunwale feet, the Westy is the easiest and most secure of our 3 vehicles to load our 80lb canoe onto.
The Jetta Wagon is the worst. That little antenna in the middle of the roof really gets in the way.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 452
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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Succesfully returned from a whale watching trip to Telegraph Cove, Vancouver Island with two tandem kayaks. Felt stable despite the 150lbs up top.
_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517 |
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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 Jun 29, 2013 6:38 pm Post subject: loading a kayak |
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Think about using a boat loading bar - its a detachable bar that extends out from one of the cross bars about 2' - usually with an upturn at the outboard end. One puts one end of the kayak/canoe up on the extended bar then goes to the other end and lifts it up and onto the rack. Then back to the loading bar and slide the kayak into place, remove the bar and carry on. They're great - Ive used them to load a 125 lb aluminum boat on top of a Jeep by myself. You're never lifting the entire weight at one time, which makes it possible.
_________________
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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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 452
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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That's certainly a promising idea hans j. I did figure out a way to do it today before a short paddle in the Willamette. To get it on, starting from the side I can just lift the bow onto the front roll mounts and then push/roll it forwards until it reaches its center of gravity and then I can lift the stern up onto the rear rollers by standing on the rear bumper. Not easy but workable.
_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517 |
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hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2742
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome. What about a pulley on the top rear and the back bumper that allows you to use a rope (under the van tot he front) to pull it backwards while loading it on the front of the van? My plastic touring kayak weighs around 70 pounds and I still haven't decided how to get in on just my poptop. But the ability to pull it along while pushing might make it easier.
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 452
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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Tandem "Seascape" Kayak uptop. Height is 10' 2", seems fairly sturdy but I need to practice getting it on and off. I was hoping I could do it single handed but have not figured out a system that works yet.
_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517 |
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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 452
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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I have thought about painting it white, maybe when I have finished experimenting I will. But I also think that I will probably only put it on when I need to carry something like a kayak. In its present form it sticks out quite a bit and I think there is a significant risk of something catching on a branch when off roading. It is quite easy to remove. It remains to be seen if it will work for what I want.
_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517 |
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