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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7400 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 12:10 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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J Charlton wrote: |
2. I suggest - strongly - that you consider using the back panel of the hightop to mount some tail lights, turn and brake lights and a dedicated (big) brake light bar
The tail lights on a vanagon are ridiculously small and ridiculously located - they are virtually unnoticeable from the rear at the best of times - with all of your gear on the rear you're likely to get rear ended by some pinhead millenial texting on their phone but who will blame the poor lighting for their lack of judgement. Lots of good stuff out there at Harbor Freight (Princess Auto in Canada) - put lots of it up there and be safe |
Agreed that rear-end conspicuity is important. I've added these and am Siri's ford (edit: my phone wrote those words for me...I'm leaving them while I try to figure out what it's like to be "Siri's ford" ) with them (not including the street light)...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H3G5N86/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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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: Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:49 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Yahoo - this picture of the empty saddle on the trailer means that all of the tops for Salt Lake City, Bend Oregon (and California) and Kennewick Wa, have been delivered and are ready for pickup or installation.
Its been a long Covid delayed process getting these tops produced and delivered.
_________________ 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1544 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2020 7:48 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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The latest NAHT hightopped van on the road. This done by Urabus in Buena Vista Colorado.
The Urabus guys are doing 3 hightop conversions sequentially, this is the first completed.
Urabus bulkhead
They're busy folks with 3 more conversions lined up after these 3 are completed
With DIY conversions currently underway in Nevada,Texas and Maryland there'll soon be 10 more NAHT'd vans on the road _________________ 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1544 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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My daughter gave me an amazing headlamp for Christmas - the BioLite 750 from these folks
https://ca.bioliteenergy.com/products/headlamp-750?variant=34188684197947
Then I started poking around their web site and found this
https://ca.bioliteenergy.com/products/campstove-2-bundle
among other items - pretty slick - uses twigs etc and charges your phone while making coffee or soup etc - since I cook outside 99% of the time I'm kinda rethinking my 3 burner propane stove, propane BBQ ....... If these are as well thought out and as good as the headlamp is ... and its all even more eco friendly _________________ 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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tjet Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 3528 Location: CA & NM
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Does anyone have this interior height measurement (green arrow) from floor to ceiling? Also, what is the biggest "hole" cut you can make (L x W) in a tintop? Does the hole start near the green arrow (top fwd corner)?
Thanks.
Last edited by tjet on Sun Feb 07, 2021 8:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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10degnorth Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018 Posts: 470 Location: Bend, Oregon
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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: Sun Feb 07, 2021 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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The "ceiling "in the NAHT hightop is 6' 10" above the floor of the van. The access opening that we recommend runs between the roof ribs over the B and C columns. Anything larger would involve removing structural elements of the van body. It can be done, but cross members to maintain lateral integrity must be fabricated and put in place. _________________ 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
Last edited by J Charlton on Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:47 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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tjet Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 3528 Location: CA & NM
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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10degnorth, does that edge (arrow) line up with the forward top corner on the roof just before it tapers down??
I like that roll bar structural addition. Great idea.
J Charlton wrote: |
The "ceiling "in the NAHT hightop is 6' 10" above the floor of the van. The access opening that we recommend runs between the roof ribs over the B and D columns. Anything larger would involve removing structural elements of the van body. It can be done, but cross members to maintain lateral integrity must be fabricated and put in place. |
Thanks!!
I'm working on a floor plan right now |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16473 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:33 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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J Charlton wrote: |
The "ceiling "in the NAHT hightop is 6' 10" above the floor of the van. The access opening that we recommend runs between the roof ribs over the B and D columns. Anything larger would involve removing structural elements of the van body. It can be done, but cross members to maintain lateral integrity must be fabricated and put in place. |
There is a typo there.
The opening is between the B and C pillars for the typical NAHT install.
_________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16473 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:42 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Not sure where to put this photo but I thought this was really clever if you have a very tall high top. This is from the VW Club of Greece facebook page. Not sure how they keep it water tight though. This is the first time I have seen anything like this mod. It certainly gets the creative juices flowing for other ways to do something similar.
_________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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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: Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Thanks David- corrected in my post. _________________ 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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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1544 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:25 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Florida Stealth van - work in progress
_________________ 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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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16473 Location: Brookeville, MD
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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: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:15 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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AFAIK single layer of prodex, dash AC system and a good power vent. There are a couple of NAHTs in the West done with flat black Monstaliner - but the PNW doesn't have the extreme summer temps of Florida _________________ 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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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:30 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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We don't typically have sustained heat waves like the gulf coast, but we frequently approach triple digits with very high humidity. A more reflective exterior, venting, thick insulation and A/C are highly recommended up here. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Skullbag Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2014 Posts: 8 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:20 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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J Carlton, who has the tops in Kennewick WA? |
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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: Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:27 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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pm sent _________________ 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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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16473 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:26 am Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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A very rare event taking place. John Charlton keeps this a secret but the NAHT occasionally molts in the spring. We were fortunate enough to just catch it in progress. You can see a very rare double molt as it sheds last years skins.
We were lucky enough to capture the molted skins before they flew off and they are now safely under our deck awaiting transplant onto the West Coast Westy and then the '87 Westy 3NTROPY.
_________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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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: Mon Apr 12, 2021 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: New Hightop Option |
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Yes - the molting is a little known characteristic of the NAHT. It is not unlike the breeding characteristic of the vanagon/westy - once you have one, all of a sudden there are 3 in your driveway
With the dobryan hightop armada soon to go intercontinental and coast to coast in the US I'm sure that other here to for unknown characteristics will reveal themselves also. _________________ 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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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16473 Location: Brookeville, MD
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