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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: Re: c'mon guys |
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J Charlton wrote: |
Hey Witless Joe and TDI Vanagon - we read this forum to gain and share information - no one needs or wants to see two or more people, obviously with expertise in a topic, flaming each other over choice of words or minor innacuracies. |
I agree, if you guys want to have a pissing contest, share e-mail addresses and take it off-forum. _________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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snowsyncro Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2009 Posts: 1557 Location: East Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:01 am Post subject: RE: c'mon guys |
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Well put, J Charlton, Lester B. would be proud!
I hope we can see lots more such informative posts on composites from TDI Vanagon.
RonC |
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westyventures Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2004 Posts: 2305 Location: Oregon Outback
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:50 am Post subject: |
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As with any project, until one has built something equal or better, it's a good idea not to criticize or ridicule another's work or knowledge. I have yet to see anything as imaginative and well-done as Dave's van, ever, on this site. I've seen the van in person, driven it - a true one of a kind van. And I wouldn't blame him for not coming back - sometimes this forum goes way beyond sharing and information-gathering, into a giant ego-fest for some. |
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Kburns737 Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2008 Posts: 184 Location: Ventura County
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:00 am Post subject: |
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No I don't think I'm going to end up getting the fiberine. I'd accepted its appearance as something that would work for the project, but after hearing so many issues with the construction quality of it, for instance the warping, I decided it was a no go. And to make matters worse, I emailed fiberine with some questions/concerns about the quality of their tops and whether or not there was any satisfaction guarantee that would ensure I would get a refund if I wasnt happy with a top I ordered, and I havent even received a reply yet. And that was sent 4 days ago, my other inquiries recieved replies within 24 hrs. I just don't feel comfortable spending a grand on their product. No replies for the SCA producer either. Guess that leaves finding a used AW top or building my own, which thanks to dave we've all learned a ton of usefull information about it and the top he ended up building is far superior to any you could purchase, AW tops included.
Kerry |
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Witless Joe Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 460
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: c'mon guys |
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hiram6 wrote: |
J Charlton wrote: |
Hey Witless Joe and TDI Vanagon - we read this forum to gain and share information - no one needs or wants to see two or more people, obviously with expertise in a topic, flaming each other over choice of words or minor innacuracies. |
I agree, if you guys want to have a pissing contest, share e-mail addresses and take it off-forum. |
I agree too. With my first post, I had hoped to develop the conversation into discussion of various pros & cons of composite construction techniques. Instead, I got defensiveness, open hostility and personal insult.
So I was in a mood to meet his flame with a flame of my own.
I apologize for letting him get my goat and wasting bandwidth in an otherwise useful thread. |
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mikey9 Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2009 Posts: 126 Location: Inverness, Scotland
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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Karl, I never spotted the most common Brit hightop so here are a couple from me for your great and weird collection
The unkind over here reckon they used an old boat mould for this ours? i like the luggage rack at the rear - handy. |
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westyventures Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2004 Posts: 2305 Location: Oregon Outback
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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mikey9 wrote: |
Karl, I never spotted the most common Brit hightop so here are a couple from me for your great and weird collection
The unkind over here reckon they used an old boat mould for this ours? i like the luggage rack at the rear - handy. |
Ah yes, I've seen those in photos but somehow never got one in my collection. Sort of looks like the Reimo top on my 16" Syncro (the white/blue one in the photo collection) but shaved down a bit. That luggage area in the rear can be put to good use! |
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240Gordy Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008 Posts: 2354 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: c'mon guys |
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Witless Joe wrote: |
hiram6 wrote: |
J Charlton wrote: |
Hey Witless Joe and TDI Vanagon - we read this forum to gain and share information - no one needs or wants to see two or more people, obviously with expertise in a topic, flaming each other over choice of words or minor innacuracies. |
I agree, if you guys want to have a pissing contest, share e-mail addresses and take it off-forum. |
I agree too. With my first post, I had hoped to develop the conversation into discussion of various pros & cons of composite construction techniques. Instead, I got defensiveness, open hostility and personal insult.
So I was in a mood to meet his flame with a flame of my own.
I apologize for letting him get my goat and wasting bandwidth in an otherwise useful thread. |
I am planning on making a new top for my van, but more like the swiss race taxi top. thanks for sharing your insight re: vacuum bagging and different reinforcing materials. There is some stunning stuff in the boat building industry, custom vehicles are pretty crude by comparison. _________________ Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1544 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject: form |
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I once taught with a guy who developed a form the shape of which was determined by inflating various small segments individually. It was developed to be able to create prototype sailboat hulls that culd be tested in real conditions. I've lost track of him and his process - but it sure would be nice to be able to use something like that to create "one of's" high tops.
Personally my ideal high top would be one that was in 3 sections - front and back fixed and about 18" (toward the middle) above roof height, with a middle section that would go straight up. This would allow permanent mounting of cabinets and "stuff" fore and aft and lots of air and space when camped with the top up.
jc _________________ NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 3 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 5 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2023 |
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foodeater Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2007 Posts: 1318 Location: Newburgh, NY
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: form |
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J Charlton wrote: |
I once taught with a guy who developed a form the shape of which was determined by inflating various small segments individually. It was developed to be able to create prototype sailboat hulls that culd be tested in real conditions. I've lost track of him and his process - but it sure would be nice to be able to use something like that to create "one of's" high tops.
Personally my ideal high top would be one that was in 3 sections - front and back fixed and about 18" (toward the middle) above roof height, with a middle section that would go straight up. This would allow permanent mounting of cabinets and "stuff" fore and aft and lots of air and space when camped with the top up.
jc |
Aren't a lot of the carbon fiber bicycles made using an inflatable bladder method, I thought that I read that somewhere a few years ago. _________________ 89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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Witless Joe Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 460
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: c'mon guys |
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240Gordy wrote: |
I am planning on making a new top for my van, but more like the swiss race taxi top. thanks for sharing your insight re: vacuum bagging and different reinforcing materials. There is some stunning stuff in the boat building industry, custom vehicles are pretty crude by comparison. |
Next time you're in North Vancouver, give Rob Mulder a shout and check out whatever projects he has in his shop at that point. Carbon-composite art. It will give you food for thought.
http://robertssailboards.com/ |
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Kburns737 Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2008 Posts: 184 Location: Ventura County
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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So, I'm assuming that most everyone viewing this thread has seen that ad for the AW top in sebastapol. What do you all think of it for that price. I've been in contact with the seller, recieved a few pictures, its a bit dirty, from storage supposedly, and the seller claims it'll clean up nice with some elbowgrease. Came off an 83 aircooled van, blown engine. Window seals are fine, sunroof seal will need to be replaced sometime. No cracks or damage. I'm a bit leery of spending that much money on fiberglass that old, but I guess with the proper coating and assuming that coating has been maintained and is intact, it should be about as good as the day it was made, correct? And I do have quite a yearning for an AW top and this one is only a few hundred miles to pick up, which is pretty convenient. So what's the consensus? As usual, your opinions are much appreciated!
Kerry |
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wildenbeast Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2008 Posts: 680 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:20 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
They quoted me a price for the product, I didnt ask about freight because part of the year I live a couple hours from their plant. Heres the costs that they quoted me:
- 24" VW Vanagon Roof in a grey or white gelcoat........................ $975.00
- (Opitional) Inside Fiberglass Liner in a grey or white gelcoat......$400.00
- Trim Kit Black or White (ouside molding kit).................................$40.00
- Crating and packaging..............................................................$110.00
$1525.00 |
Quote: |
Vanagon Adventurewagen High Roof kit Price: 1900
This is a complete hightop kit from a vanagon adventurewagen. comes with all trim, the bed and hardware. |
Compared to the Fiberine top (which seems like it is not as good as the AW top), this one would be comparable in price when you consider that all the trim and bed are included as well. If you were to go the Fiberine route, what would you have done for the bed and trim? and how much would that have set you back? Personally, I would ask the seller of the AW top to match the price of the brand new Fiberine top (send him your quote from Fiberine) and see where that gets you. |
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Boltze Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Germany
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westyventures Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2004 Posts: 2305 Location: Oregon Outback
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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No more SCA? |
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Boltze Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Germany
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ragulka Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Estonia
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:05 am Post subject: |
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Does anyone know, where I could get some of those upper side windows for the hightop? |
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talfletcher27 Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2010 Posts: 6
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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It seems like this is a Vanagon thread from over a year ago, but I'm looking everywhere for a high top for my 1968 VW to replace the original poptop. Does anyone have a good direction to point me in? Thanks |
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3konas Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Cascades
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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[quote=I'm totally gonzo for one of the higher versions. If anyone reading this would be game to place an order for multiple units, I'd bet we could convince them to crate the roofs and ship directly to a US port. Jaeger, I'm pretty sure, doesn't actually stock the roofs but is merely a sales point and the roofs are shipped directly from SCA. AND, with the current great exchange rate (1 Euro = $1.30) the price is good too. Better quality, perfect fit[/quote]
Did anything come of this? I would be interested. This is by far my favorite hi-top.
I have question for those of you that have a hi-top? How bad do you get moved around in moderate windy conditions or when a cabover semi passes you on a two lane road? Much worse than a standard passenger van?
Thanks, Enjoy your long weekend! _________________ 1990 Syncro Passenger Van |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Those windows you were asking about, look exactly like my apt windows, so maybe you want to check out one of those large companies who redo apt and condo bldg. I don't know how well they do in a flexible environment. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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