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Raggamuffin
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2006
Posts: 789
Location: GA
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 Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:45 am Post subject: Rag-top Vanagon? |
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Has anyone ever seen photos or heard of anyone making a rag-top for their Vanagon?
I know there are MANY reasons that it might be difficult...but I'm curious.
Thanks! |
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Raggamuffin
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2006
Posts: 789
Location: GA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:29 am Post subject: |
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| Nothing? I thought there would be at least one... The sliding cloth top was so cool on the split-windows. Maybe I'll be the first to try it...I do have a parts van to experiment with... |
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mightyart
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2004
Posts: 6188
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:45 am Post subject: |
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It's been done before.
A few times. |
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Van-go108
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2006
Posts: 2995
Location: Southwestern, NM
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: |
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Well....mine kinda is a "rag-top". I used the frame from a taneau cover from a pick up truck. The side rails have a sliding track for the snaps and three removeable supports that I shortened and reshaped. I bought new material and custom shaped my new cover. the picks below are old but you can see the frame sort of. I did this to have the largest opening possible. (and I'm an artist  ) I could have picked any color for the cover. I went with the trusty old black.
You can see the tape in the corners when I was fabricating this.
_________________
"Okay, so there's 6 beers and 5 of us. You know what this means don't you? 4 of you are going to have to leave."
1973 Thing
1957 Continental Mark II Click to view image |
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Steelhead
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1791
Location: Kentfield, CA
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Waldemar Sikorski
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2005
Posts: 573
Location: EU
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Van-Go108, more is better. |
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Raggamuffin
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2006
Posts: 789
Location: GA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all of the info! Van-go I doubt that I have your fabrication skills, but it does look killer! I followed the other link, thanks for providing it, and hope to hear more about the Streetbeats kit.
Thanks again! |
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Van-go108
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2006
Posts: 2995
Location: Southwestern, NM
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Waldemar Sikorski wrote: |
| Van-Go108, more is better. |
Uh...Thanks?
They first time I attempted this was on a 68' Ford wagon. I cut it open from the front window to the back. I learned a lot from that. It seems that one continueous role of canvas shrunk way more from front to back rather than side to side. I was going to cut the vans complete top out. I planned on seeming three square sections to help control the expansion and contraction. After seeing the structure of the van I decided a single square opening was better and simpler.
I knew that replacement tarp would be a bit difficult to replace. (I.E. The streetbeat kit, which I almost bought.) I opted for my method because I could always make a new one myself cheaply. The snaps press in and edging off the tarp is easy. If you have the right sewing machine, of course. I like being able to take the whole tarp off and stashin' it in the back. In the high winds, it is planted solid too.
I remember that forum on the streetbeat kit. I do like it. $600 is not bad but I spent under $50.  well, not including beer. I'm trying to save my money for a 10 cent motor anyway.
_________________
"Okay, so there's 6 beers and 5 of us. You know what this means don't you? 4 of you are going to have to leave."
1973 Thing
1957 Continental Mark II Click to view image |
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Raggamuffin
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2006
Posts: 789
Location: GA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Van-go108 wrote: |
| Waldemar Sikorski wrote: |
| Van-Go108, more is better. |
Uh...Thanks?
They first time I attempted this was on a 68' Ford wagon. I cut it open from the front window to the back. I learned a lot from that. It seems that one continueous role of canvas shrunk way more from front to back rather than side to side. I was going to cut the vans complete top out. I planned on seeming three square sections to help control the expansion and contraction. After seeing the structure of the van I decided a single square opening was better and simpler.
I knew that replacement tarp would be a bit difficult to replace. (I.E. The streetbeat kit, which I almost bought.) I opted for my method because I could always make a new one myself cheaply. The snaps press in and edging off the tarp is easy. If you have the right sewing machine, of course. I like being able to take the whole tarp off and stashin' it in the back. In the high winds, it is planted solid too.
I remember that forum on the streetbeat kit. I do like it. $600 is not bad but I spent under $50. well, not including beer. I'm trying to save my money for a 10 cent motor anyway. |
$50 plus beer?
Any more detailed pics of the snap system and the rails?
You've appealed to my cheap side!
Thanks. |
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