Pop Top Shocks Rock!

Jon_slider · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject: Pop Top Shocks Rock!

Hello FolksWesties

Today I received and installed the pop top shock kit from username Jackbombay..
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=798951

It was too easy, no blood, no sweat, no cussing.

They work Fantastic.

I can raise my top super easily even with a surfboard on top, which used to take considerable effort.

Closing is equally easy, both with and without the board on top, pulling the lid down (very easily), it stops wherever I let go, allowing me to adjust the canvas before latching, without having to hold the top up with one hand..

This is one of the most gratifying upgrades I have done to my Westy..

HIGHLY recommended.

here are some photos to show how the top stays wherever I leave it, even part way open, and even with the weight of a surfboard on top..

inside

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

outside

hardware open

and this is all you see with the top down

note, because of the position of my surf rack, I mounted the shock 1" lower on the pop top than the instructions recommend.. everything still works perfectly!

scottjk · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject: I agree

I agree 100%. Well worth the money. One of the only projects that went off without any problems during the last month. I love well designed products.

Scott
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1985 Westfalia 2.5L EJ

jackbombay · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject:

Glad you like the shocks!
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Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies Smile

Samba ad here.

DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs)

Sigeats · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

Totally agree . . . one of the best modifications I've made. If you don't have them, get 'um. I can easily lift the top, and stop half way if I want with a fully loaded rack. Love 'um.
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'84 Westfalia

ranchero · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject:

What he said.

Bruce Wayne · Samba Member Joined: May 15, 2007 Posts: 1210

they are fantastic! can lift the top with my kayak up there with no problem. if you don't have them,get them. great product!!

yerbaadam · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:04 am Post subject:

OoooooHh!! This is definitly getting ordered before I hook up my solar palnels. Thanks for the tip!

westynova · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:53 am Post subject:

Already have a set but still need to install them. Now I am more motivated to put this project up the priority list of van fixes.
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84 Westy
2010 VW Golf TDI Wagon
2009 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, Lifted and Locked

MarkWard · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

Is anything done to improve the mounting area on the fiberglass top or is it just drilled and through bolted? I would be concerned over time that the fiberglass would develop fractures in the gel coat and eventually possibly crack. Brilliant idea. I like how the other end does utilize the stock hinge for attachment. I don't like drilling into the sheet metal. Are these common struts? Regards.
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☮️

Hallvalla · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:40 am Post subject:

Do these shocks make it harder to close? I know, weird question, but I have concerns because I have a 2" foam pad up top so it takes quite a bit of elbow grease to close the poptop. Or do they relax a little when you are the "closing" angle?

I'd like to put on my Thule box eventually, and these shocks would be a great help.
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85 Westy
Subaru EJ22

Sodo · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:54 am Post subject:

The Westfalia pop-top is much thicker and stronger near the hinge area. You will find that it's about 1/4+" thick and very very strong, much thicker than the rest of the poptop.

Furthermore, you can install now, and you will be in the same boat as the rest of us who have had zero cracking for 1 or 2 years. Then you have a 1 or 2 years window, to watch SAMBA for reports of cracking, and brace yours up with a doubler.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w ~~47k~~ 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

MarkWard · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:25 am Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:26 am Post subject:

> drilled and through bolted?

yes, the same as the surf rack gutters, in the case of the surf rack, with a metal plate on the back, in the case of the shocks, a metal washer on both sides.. The bolt leans on metal both outside and inside, thereby spreading the load, its not all on the bolt at the hole.. methinks your theoretical concern has cracks in its assumptions..<g> dont worry, be happy Smile

> Do these shocks make it harder to close?

yes, you do need to pull down on the top to close it, but to me that makes it easier than having to hold it up.. it takes very little force to lower the top, and the closer you get to closed, the less force required

> do they relax a little when you are the "closing" angle?

yes, at about 6" away from closed, the top drops by its own weight, for your concern closing down on your foam pad, I do not think there would be any added resistance from the shocks being installed.. except if your foam resists closing from a higher distance than 6" away from closing.. there IS still shock(ing) resistance if the top is 2feet from latched, not much maybe 3-5 lbs of force, guessing.... at what distance from latched does your bunk stop engage?

> watch SAMBA for reports of cracking,

youre cracking me up!
I agree the pop top is quite beefy, 1/4"+ where the bolt goes thru, , now no more wise cracks eh? Smile

, its just Shocking to hear so many wise cracks pop up..

Hallvalla · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:49 am Post subject:

Thanks, Jon. Sounds like they would work fine. I just have to give the last few inches the old grab pull down with my weight to get the pop top to "pop" shut.
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85 Westy
Subaru EJ22

j_dirge · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject:

buildyourown · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:

For those carrying a some weight on the box: How hard is it to pop the top?
I have the medium shocks, and with my Yakima Skybox, it takes every bit of strength I have, standing on the bed, to get the top up. And I'm not a lightweight.
Suggestions?

1621 · Samba Member Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174

madspaniard · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

Bruce Wayne · Samba Member Joined: May 15, 2007 Posts: 1210

nohabusguy · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:34 am Post subject:

Installed mine last nite. Due to my impatience, I installed the shocks before I received the instructions from Jack Bombay -- so the holes on the pop top were drilled down too low. However, it seems to work just fine with my empty cargo box on top, three yakima cross bars and my 55 W solar panel. This weekend I am loading up the cargo box, along with two kayaks. Highly recommended (but do read the instructions!!).
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1967 Double Cab
1967 21 Window Deluxe Bus
1989 Westy Syncro (Subaru 2.5, dreaming of installing a NAHT)
1990 Doka Syncro (WBX 2.1)


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