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toomanyveedubs
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2007
Posts: 596
Location: Great White North
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 Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject: is it possible put a pop top on a van? |
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of course anything is possible.....
how easy is the install if you have a donor westy? |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke."
It has been discussed before. Plus look in the best threads sticky also.
-W
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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devesvws
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004
Posts: 1540
Location: madison va
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D Clymer
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005
Posts: 2987
Location: Issaquah, WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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If you have the whole westy it is possible, but not easy. You need to change the whole roof panel and the second bow. There have been some people who have cut a hole in the standard roof and then fitted the poptop, but then there's no place for the bed mattress to sit. You end up with a poptop that only gives you headroom.
A lot of work, but if you have a special van it might be worth it. But that's only if you can do the work yourself. Paying someone to do all that body work would make it prohibitive.
David |
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bucko
Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2004
Posts: 2617
Location: Coppell, Texas
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| D Clymer wrote: |
If you have the whole westy it is possible, but not easy. You need to change the whole roof panel and the second bow. There have been some people who have cut a hole in the standard roof and then fitted the poptop, but then there's no place for the bed mattress to sit. You end up with a poptop that only gives you headroom.
A lot of work, but if you have a special van it might be worth it. But that's only if you can do the work yourself. Paying someone to do all that body work would make it prohibitive.
David |
And dangerous.....
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Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia
Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181 |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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If I had a Syncro window van while I had a totaled Westy, I would have done it too. We parted the Westy finally as it really tweaked bad in the right front plus it was an older 83.
But if you have a donor Westy and a regualr Syncro van, then why not? But to convert a regular van, it is cheaper to get a real Westy.
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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D Clymer
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005
Posts: 2987
Location: Issaquah, WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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| r39o wrote: |
But if you have a donor Westy and a regualr Syncro van, then why not? But to convert a regular van, it is cheaper to get a real Westy. |
Well said! These days it seems like Syncro + poptop = large dollars.
And Bucko, if the work is done correctly, there's no reason why a retrofitted roof won't be as stucturally sound as if it was fitted at the factory.
David |
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Terry Kay
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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If you have a bunch of time, a 14ft tall garage ceiling joyces, a good spot weld drill, a good spotwelder, or at least a mig welder--with somebody trained in welding handy, then the removal and installation is no big deal.
And it will be as bullet proof as the real thing.
If you lack, or are short on any of the above---you'd be much better off buying a complete Campmoblie with the roof prre attached at the factory.
You'll never get it done right without the right tools or knowledge.
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T.K. |
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