Grumpy's Metal Work & Hardtop to 21/23

Grumpy's Metal

Hello All,
The work and images I post in this thread is how I earn my living. If you have seen my work and have an opinion feel free to express it. But I would respectfully ask; if you are a "purist" and wish to contribute please don't, could you please take that information to another thread as that is not what this thread is about.

Thank you,
John

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Moderator note:
If you have any inquiries about parts/pricing/etc. please contact John directly.
We do not want this to turn into a thread for ads or sales inquiries.
Thank you.

Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:32 am Post subject:

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

Before photo of the bus at the shop right now. This is a hard top 13 window that has come in for a hard top to sunroof conversion.

More to come

John

Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:53 am Post subject:

Here is a hard top Double Cab that I put a sunroof in. The opening is the same width as original bus sunroof and accepts the same assembly just one less bow

I use a resistance welder whenever possible, it gives all repairs a more factory look.

The front and rear edge are formed on the vehicle, the inner rails get welded below the aluminium rail lives, so with the assembly installed you can't see where the work has been done. The 13 window above will be done the same way.

John

dawerks · Samba Member Joined: September 15, 2010 Posts: 2349

I like the DC! If the vent was removed, could you fit a full sunroof?

Do you think it needs any more reinforcements anywhere else or is it good like that?
_________________
"There is only one sin; disconnection from self."

Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:52 am Post subject:

The way I did this roof the really is no place for a reinforcement- and no a full length will no fit in a DC

John

(edit- no place for a front or rear reinforcement, but yes it gets side reinforcements/ aka inner structure)
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John

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dawerks · Samba Member Joined: September 15, 2010 Posts: 2349

There's room enough, why wouldn't it fit after removing the inside vent. It's already getting surgery'd, might as well go all the way.
_________________
"There is only one sin; disconnection from self."

crukab · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject:

I like the DC, is it done ?? Pics ??
_________________
Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI Smile

'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon

Scooterboyd · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:42 pm Post subject:

Great job on the roof work. I converted my bus from a 11 window to 23 and it's no easy job. Keep it up and give the people what they desire.
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President of "Society of Unappreciated Overachievers"
62 - 23 Window Bus
60 - Karmann Ghia Convertible
59 - Convertible Raceable Baja Bug
63 - Dune Buggy
65 - Single Cab

thom · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:47 pm Post subject:

Has anyone ordered a 21/23 sans sunroof?

I lean towards the purist camp, but I have to say, that's pretty damn cool.

Hell, it would be fun to put a pair of windows in the cab of my panel, just for the hell of it.
_________________
-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type

Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject:

Hello Thom,

I think by sans you mean with the windows- ( I've never heard sans sunroof for a sunroof bus )

yes, I have one leaving in the next few days, but surprisingly I get a lot of calls on sunroofs without the windows.

I suspect that you are toying with me about popping some windows into your panel, but seriously if you're are willing to go away from stock, I think a deluxe roof on a panel would look wicked

John
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John

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Z · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject:

campingbox · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject:

Lou · Samba Member Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 95

I got to see the bus in person today. The work is coming out awesome! It will look factory made once the bus is finished!

joe56vw · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:34 am Post subject:

voo · Samba Member Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 83

Grumpy I was one that inquired about a sunroof only conversion, and am seriously considering it. I was wondering if anything is done to the inner roof structure to help with structural support. I know og sunroof only the samba window frames were still welded in. I realize belly pans conversion is also needed. I would have just emailed the questions but since you started this thread I figured anyone else interested would have the question answered here. Thx.

BulletBus · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:56 am Post subject:

Grumpy= Happy customer. Very Happy

I love to see this type of craftsmanship that is normally reserved for rare exotics being performed on buses. Absolutely beautiful work man. There was a panel with a deluxe roof just a couple years ago that was really nice done in all black. I've also seen a really nice double cab done up with a sunroof, two skylights on either side and a walkthru. That one sold for big bucks, Oh, and yet another with corner windows. It can all be done by talented proper hands.
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53 Hatch Barndoor
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If it's not a bus, it's bus money waiting to happen.

Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject:

on the double cab sunroof, I make an inner panel that supports the opening sides the same why the inner windows do on a deluxe.

I'll post some pic tomorrow
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John

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VWsArent4Hippies · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:20 pm Post subject:

Sweet, do you have any detail pics that aren't 15 feet away?

Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:34 am Post subject:

dawerk- Ok so I have not measured a Double cab ( recently ) but a bus sunroof is nearly five and a half feet long. To put a sunroof in you need to be working with a low crown ( nearly flat ) section of the roof (for a bus sunroof ). obviously the 3 fold bug sunroofs I make are curved

Short answer: A double cab does not have enough "flat" area for a full length sunroof.

And Voo:

Grumpy's Metal · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 6:31 am Post subject:

Here is another conversion done in Australia, the inner structure was made by the installer and the balance of the parts are mine.

the inner structure is required to keep the opening stationary, all the vw sunroofs have some kind of inner structure from the factory.

here it's in paint

When I started making the sunroof parts, I ran into problems sourcing the cage nuts, so I had to make them. They fit into a round hole, instead of the obround hole like the factory- so with the aluminum rail removed you can see that the cage nuts are aesthetically different. Sad

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John

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