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Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top
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Gruppe B
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 6:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

dobryan wrote:
That strut might be able to hold the pop top up but it does not provide much support side to side. The H bar does both....


Agreed, but it is also the conventional method of poptop support for Eurovan Westfalias from 1996 onward. Might work!
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bobbyblack Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 9:17 am    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

Gruppe B wrote:

Another poster had been discussing using these Eurovan hydraulic struts to replace the Vanagon H-bar.


I sure do despise the H-Bar... Although I agree on lateral support issues. However, I am not real sure about the lateral issue in regards to the design of the top. My EV Westy had the 'late model' system with no H-Bar, and did not seem to have any issues side-to-side. It would be pretty easy to fit a mechanism on the non-locking side that would lock it in manually. The self locking side kept me plenty happy that the top wasn't going to go kiddy-whampus all a sudden. Perhaps on one occasion in extreme wind, I was a tad concerned.

Anyway, I think my attempt is only 1 part (2 pieces same part) away from a test. The EV Westy h-bar delete from the big vendor only lacks the correct lower support that is needed to miss the Vanagon bunk articulation. I believe I have the part narrowed down now Smile Only about $15 for two. The bottom bracket simply needs to be Z shaped, with the ball going outward, opposite of the EV's inward facing ball. That would place the cylinder outboard of the bed articulation area.
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steve_hoge
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:36 am    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

bobbyblack wrote:
Gruppe B wrote:

Another poster had been discussing using these Eurovan hydraulic struts to replace the Vanagon H-bar.


I sure do despise the H-Bar... Although I agree on lateral support issues. However, I am not real sure about the lateral issue in regards to the design of the top. My EV Westy had the 'late model' system with no H-Bar, and did not seem to have any issues side-to-side.


Might it be possible to add a 3rd shorter hydraulic strut to the front (leading) edge of the pop-top extending either leftward or rightward that would help with lift AND provide lateral stability due to its orthogonal (right-angle) orientation relative to the other two struts?

-Steve
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ryaz
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 4:29 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

this is amazing!
Great job!
Maybe I have missed but did you think about removing cargo part and making it flat from the top? so you ll have some cargo space between van roof and pop top?
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Howesight
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 5:57 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

Thanks for the compliments!

I left the "luggage rack" space as is, but added drain spigots that connect to hoses that drain rainwater outside the van. I prefer this approach so that I can still use the luggage rack as intended by the factory.

There is still a gap of about 1.5" to 2" between the metal roof and the bottom of the luggage rack, and this is where some of the pop-top tent goes when the top is in the "down" position. I can put large but thin items in that 1.5" to 2" space for storage. It would likely fit the late-model Westfalia (low-profile) dining table.

The factory contours of the luggage rack give it a lot of strength, so going with a flat top would, I believe, weaken that structure too much.
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Multiman mv
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 6:33 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

Incredibly well done mod! Great innovation and expertly crafted. That tent is pro! I wish I had the patience to do this mod also. I think for now I’ll grab a wasserstopper rain fly but your mod looks like a a great solution for those who want more space up top. This gets my vote for best samba mod!
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kguarnotta
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 1:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

I just saw this - and wanted to say "IMPRESSIVE"

thanks for sharing.
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sanchius Premium Member
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:38 am    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

If you need even more room in back, there's this:

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

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4Gears4Tires
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:43 am    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

Fractal pop tops. I want to see the next level.
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Howesight
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 1:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

Hey Sanchius, could you let us know a link to the site on which that double-popper was found?

I thought about something like that as I like the idea of that head room in the upper berth, but this guy executed on the concept. It looks like a well-designed and well-executed job.
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sanchius Premium Member
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

Halfway down (lots of the other pics there are fun too): http://vwt3.com/2015/08/

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campism
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:55 am    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

4Gears4Tires wrote:
Fractal pop tops. I want to see the next level.

Tesseract tops.
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Howesight
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

I haven't posted a pic of the extended pop-top showing the re-paint on the pop-top that I did several years ago.

Here it is on the Duffey Lake Road this past June:

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Sodo
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Pop-top Extension: Evolution of the Pop-Top Reply with quote

Howesight wrote:
I haven't posted a pic of the extended pop-top
,,,,,
several years ago.


We noticed.


Can't go wrong with more pics.
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