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jsmitch11
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2011
Posts: 337
Location: Seattle, WA
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 Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:41 am Post subject: |
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And is it a 16"??? I am going to be very jealous of you if you have a 16" hightop and the nicest doka in the world!
_________________
1984 Vanagon Westfalia Syncro Hightop
1986 Vanagon Syncro(RIP)
1989 Vanagon Wolfsburg Whitestar Edition(RIP)
My Van syncro conversion/restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535730&highlight=black+diamond |
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Jedi
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007
Posts: 734
Location: Cool California
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:54 am Post subject: |
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     Nice club joker build!!! 
_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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volkmar
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2012
Posts: 39
Location: stuttgart.de
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 3:30 am Post subject: |
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| purplepeopleeater wrote: |
| What is that blue foam stuff?? |
It's called X-trem-Isolator. It's a water resistant, highly flexible insulation material made of foamed polyethylene.
| snowsyncro wrote: |
| And what holds the roof on? |
14 screwed brackets. In case I want to ship her somewhere in a container, I can easily take the roof off.
| jsmitch11 wrote: |
| And is it a 16"??? I am going to be very jealous of you if you have a 16" hightop and the nicest doka in the world! |
No need to be jealous...
...it's just a converted 14" 
Volkmar
_________________
1989 Westy Syncro Hightop - mTDI ... klick for photo
1989 Doka Syncro Camper - eTDI ... klick for photo |
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uberhare
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2008
Posts: 41
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:09 am Post subject: |
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Here's a pic of my "high top Westfalia" recent addition to the fleet:
On the trip back from port:
_________________
Cheap, fast, reliable - Pick your 2! |
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Jedi
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007
Posts: 734
Location: Cool California
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:38 am Post subject: |
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Here is a great build from someone who made the best of a bad situation,
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6351822#6351822
_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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Jedi
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007
Posts: 734
Location: Cool California
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:37 am Post subject: |
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I am in no way connected to this company or have I used the product.
http://www.gmb-mount.de/shop.htm?http://translate....cKA~inhalt
It is a suspenion system that Martin and Sara used on the Tigerbus super trip.
http://vimeo.com/tigerbus
If you have Any info from fellow high roof campers about this system it would be nice to have a review posted here.
_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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CdnVWJunkie 
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004
Posts: 1110
Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:29 am Post subject: |
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| uberhare wrote: |
Here's a pic of my "high top Westfalia" recent addition to the fleet:
On the trip back from port:
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You guys back in Ontario then, Jay? Hopefully the import when straightforward. |
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uberhare
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2008
Posts: 41
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 11:03 am Post subject: |
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| CdnVWJunkie wrote: |
| You guys back in Ontario then, Jay? Hopefully the import when straightforward. |
We are back home. No issues importing the van, just an issue with the injection pump and our Canadian diesel....Apparently it is protesting being held hostage here.
Drop by if you are in the area.
_________________
Cheap, fast, reliable - Pick your 2! |
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gelPsy
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 44
Location: Berlin, Germany
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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What do you want to know? 
.martin
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tiger2asia 2011/12 - http://log.tigerbus.de/reisen/tiger2asia-201112/
14", 1.9 TDi, V2A exhaust/DPF, 2 difflocks, decoupler, 30x9.5R15, ATE57/Lucas38 conversion, Weinsberg poptop, RAL1028 |
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Jedi
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007
Posts: 734
Location: Cool California
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Oh just what your over all impression is with that system over the stock set up? What advantages this system provided you with that others can not?Any failed parts? A small review would be cool..
_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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gelPsy
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 44
Location: Berlin, Germany
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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Weeell.... it is too expensive to admit, that is is crap )
No, just kidding!
First of all: This setup is targeted at HEAVY expedeition syncros, that's what it was developed for.
The problem: You ride a bus with close to or even over 3 tons in the middle od Tibet and the road is $hit... and it rides well!! Just like that. You hit severe bumps at pretty high speeds and it's no probem. Your right foot slowly turns the run into Dakar-style racing and it just works. 5000kms later you change all ball joints and wheel bearings because the suspension setup is not all that your bus is riding on
Ok, to make it short: It works well. Wind stability is exceptional, road performance aswell. Offroad is just a dream, especially at higher speeds. What it can't do: It will NOT level out washboard. No magic there, it is "just" a well designed suspension.
We did kill a pair of lower front shock bushings during our trip. Guess these simply wear out much faster than at home on the highway )
I guess the price is high, but at least for German users there is an important detail to mention: The setup officially passed German TÜV regulations and can therefore be used LEGALLY in all German syncros. I know, it's not important for you guys, but over here the paperwork needs to be ok before you get the stamp... unfortunately So that also adds to the price - a little. You might save German VAT, though 
Ciao,
.martin
P.S.: The setup is more or less NOT usable with lighter cars... Now that we came back and completely emptied the van, we only have 2.3t I think - feels way to stiff now. But that'll always be the problem, can't do it right for 100% of the situations...
_________________
tiger2asia 2011/12 - http://log.tigerbus.de/reisen/tiger2asia-201112/
14", 1.9 TDi, V2A exhaust/DPF, 2 difflocks, decoupler, 30x9.5R15, ATE57/Lucas38 conversion, Weinsberg poptop, RAL1028 |
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volkmar
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2012
Posts: 39
Location: stuttgart.de
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| Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| gelPsy wrote: |
| Ok, to make it short: It works well. Wind stability is exceptional, road performance aswell. Offroad is just a dream, especially at higher speeds. What it can't do: It will NOT level out washboard. No magic there, it is "just" a well designed suspension. |
There is not much else to say…
| gelPsy wrote: |
| First of all: This setup is targeted at HEAVY expedeition syncros, that's what it was developed for. |
| gelPsy wrote: |
| P.S.: The setup is more or less NOT usable with lighter cars... Now that we came back and completely emptied the van, we only have 2.3t I think - feels way to stiff now. |
That’s the only point I disagree.
1900 kg = 4200 lbs
Driving my Doka without the Camper feels like riding a Porsche GT3 . It's stiff, but it works just fine! Since my Suspension setup it approx. 15-20% stiffer than the original GMB setup, 2300kg (5000 lbs) should be fine!
Volkmar
_________________
1989 Westy Syncro Hightop - mTDI ... klick for photo
1989 Doka Syncro Camper - eTDI ... klick for photo |
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syncropatrick
Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2009
Posts: 90
Location: UK, southwest
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| Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:23 am Post subject: |
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| volkmar wrote: |
| purplepeopleeater wrote: |
| What is that blue foam stuff?? |
It's called X-trem-Isolator. It's a water resistant, highly flexible insulation material made of foamed polyethylene.
| snowsyncro wrote: |
| And what holds the roof on? |
14 screwed brackets. In case I want to ship her somewhere in a container, I can easily take the roof off.
Volkmar |
Good work! May I ask what work you did for the roof front, as I believe the Westfalia hightop vans have a different lip above the windscreen than regular/poptop vans. I'm fitting a Dehler roof to my Westy poptop van and have the same issue. Not worked how to get round it yet.
Also, do you use anything beyond the rubber trim around the roof base to prevent water ingress? I have a concern, not yet tested or proven though, that water will get pushed by air pressure when driving at speed into any gaps between the shell and roof. The Westy luggage rack on mine as Sikaflex type gunk on the seal all way around, without it the rack lifts and flaps at speed.
regards
Patrick. |
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AdrianC
Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2012
Posts: 526
Location: Wherever the road's gone
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| Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:29 am Post subject: |
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| syncropatrick wrote: |
| Also, do you use anything beyond the rubber trim around the roof base to prevent water ingress? |
There's no "rubber trim". The gutters are filled with sikaflex-type sealant, which both weather-proofs and holds the roof on.
_________________
Adrian
Zookeeper of a miscellany of motoring silliness, from 0.75bhp to 9ft tall.
Living life on the road in an '88 2.1DJ Westfalia Club Joker Hightop.
www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com |
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volkmar
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2012
Posts: 39
Location: stuttgart.de
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| Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| syncropatrick wrote: |
| May I ask what work you did for the roof front, as I believe the Westfalia hightop vans have a different lip above the windscreen than regular/poptop vans. |
The original Westy looks slightly different, but I haven’t done any special changes to mine.
| syncropatrick wrote: |
| Also, do you use anything beyond the rubber trim around the roof base to prevent water ingress? I have a concern, not yet tested or proven though, that water will get pushed by air pressure when driving at speed into any gaps between the shell and roof |
Since the front rubber trim gets supported by a small Sikaflex joint there is no water issue anymore.
| AdrianC wrote: |
| There's no "rubber trim" |
Actually there is, since my Westy is a poptop to highroof coversion.
Cheers,
Volkmar
_________________
1989 Westy Syncro Hightop - mTDI ... klick for photo
1989 Doka Syncro Camper - eTDI ... klick for photo |
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AdrianC
Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2012
Posts: 526
Location: Wherever the road's gone
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| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:13 am Post subject: |
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| volkmar wrote: |
| AdrianC wrote: |
| There's no "rubber trim" |
Actually there is, since my Westy is a poptop to highroof coversion. |
Ah, gotcha. Sorry - should have added a "On an original Westy Hightop" caveat...
_________________
Adrian
Zookeeper of a miscellany of motoring silliness, from 0.75bhp to 9ft tall.
Living life on the road in an '88 2.1DJ Westfalia Club Joker Hightop.
www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com |
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Jedi
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007
Posts: 734
Location: Cool California
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| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:01 am Post subject: |
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Hello Fellow High roof drivers and people watching this thread who are searching for a high top to put on your camper. Our friends at North american high tops have purchased the Adventurewagen top molds and are gearing up for production. Super exciting and here is a link to their thread.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=395549
_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro
Last edited by Jedi on Sat Dec 01, 2012 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total |
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jsmitch11
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2011
Posts: 337
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 10:34 am Post subject: .. |
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One of my roomates just got back from a week in Amsterdam and spotted some cool vw vehicles. Hes said he saw no t3 vehicles at all but saw a lot of eurovan dokas. He snapped a couple of pics.
LT High roof ambulance with tall slider!
This Eurovan high roof was someones work truck. It had the awning to work under and the whole intereior was set up with work tables and storage. I love the tall rear doors.
_________________
1984 Vanagon Westfalia Syncro Hightop
1986 Vanagon Syncro(RIP)
1989 Vanagon Wolfsburg Whitestar Edition(RIP)
My Van syncro conversion/restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535730&highlight=black+diamond |
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volkmar
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2012
Posts: 39
Location: stuttgart.de
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| Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: .. |
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| jsmitch11 wrote: |
| LT High roof ambulance with tall slider! |
This is a friend's highroof LT 4X4, very impressive vehicle!
cheers!
Volkmar
_________________
1989 Westy Syncro Hightop - mTDI ... klick for photo
1989 Doka Syncro Camper - eTDI ... klick for photo |
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Jedi
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007
Posts: 734
Location: Cool California
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| Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Dream ride I wish these were more available her in the US 
_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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