Getaway Hightop install (PIC HEAVY)

simonslp

so I have a 91 syncro westy and love it

Summer

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

And winter

But I tired of some of the drawbacks of the poptop:
1. limited storage... humping bags up and down, back & forth, every time you cap or head out from camping
2. too cold when winter camping... (yes I do have a propex and poptop insulation, still looking for more cozy!)
3. limited stealthiness for camping (yet more humping bags but only onto the front seats or floor, ugghhh)

I've enjoyed a hightop in the past and decided I wanted one again. I admit many are FUGLY but some look pretty damn good to me.

I looked into various options but finally scored myself a used POS Getaway top from an '82 turdmobile that's been parked up the road from me for years.

"Get-away Van" is a still-active rv supplier from BC that did vanagon conversions (including hightops) back in the day. My inspirations included a Getaway conversion syncro that's owned by samba member dipple.

Here's dipples van:

And a local getaway van (that's for sale - $6900!)

Nice interior eh? Cool

And a photoshop mockup (done before I got the top, you can compare with the finished product):

So anyways here's the getaway that I found... not looking quite as sharp:

and the rescue:

and in transit:

and on arrival (geez what an eyesore) :

got it painted:

And then the endless job of insulating, installing new vent, reinforcement points for racks, new window from ebay, bulkhead and wooden arches for stiffening and attachments points, and gluing headliner material over the whole mess (yes i know my methods are a little ridiculous at times) Rolling Eyes

:

Once the top was done it was time to actually install it. Much help from and thanks to samba members redcanoe and ragnarhairybreeks:

Link

Here's the finished product (after about 3 months of messing about with it). Went on a little trip down to the Oympic Peninsula last weekend; loved the space and cozy feel. No real change in driving experience or mileage as far as I can tell so far. One big change is the lack of top-popping on campsite arrival... still need to find something to do beyond beer-opening to mark the event... I'm thinking awning, patio lanterns and welcome mat Smile

). A few things still need to be done: interior cupboards above the sink, exterior racks and lighting and such...

Exterior:

Interior:

So that's it! Still looking forward to cold-weather camping with the setup, and still lots of concerns about weathertightness, condensation management etc. But for the most part I'm quite pleased with it and feel it's turned out pretty damned well Very Happy

Wave if you see me!
_________________
91 syncro westy w/ 08 suby ej25
& Get-Away hightop

noganav · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject:

Wow! I've always liked the look of the getaway tops. Rarely see them outside BC. It takes some serious nerve to make such a big change to a factory syncro westy (especially such a nice one), but the end product looks incredible. Applause

simonslp · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 10:49 pm Post subject:

Mickyfin · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject:

Well done. I must admit, I would love a hightop, but the wife keeps telling me she would leave me if I were to take a tin opener to my Syncro.

Syncroincity · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 10:57 pm Post subject:

I try not to use awesome as a descriptive to often, but it applies here. Great job!

I like the bracing w/ lightening holes and hand-holds particularly, looks like the inside of a Zeppelin up in the ankle-biter stowage compartment
_________________
'86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT

Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight=

ragnarhairybreeks · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 11:34 pm Post subject:

"westy into a hightop? Oh I see"

cheers Simon,

alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

Syncroincity · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:07 am Post subject:

Note the Eurovan driver pointedly ignoring you... Rolling Eyes

_________________
'86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT

Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight=

MKIII and Sons · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 5:11 am Post subject:

i enjoyed your write up.
you half sold me on a high top.
_________________
broke.status

Escorial Syncro · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 7:14 am Post subject:

Having done some high roof installing, I really appreciate your work. Looks great. X2 on the clapping guy and the scariest hit man in the movies. LOL Still have night mares about a cattle gun.
_________________
Joel Lane
1985 Vanagon converted to syncro, ALH TDI, Reimo Primus top with Westy interior
2002 Toyota Tundra 4x4
1974 Honda CL360 Scrambler (for sale!)

simonslp · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 8:35 am Post subject:

syncropatrick · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 9:44 am Post subject:

Me likey!

After 3 years of poptop I was hankering back to my hightop days.

In 3 days time I take delivery of a gutted 2WD rolling shell with Dehler Profi roof intact and then start the project of taking Westy roof off my Syncro 16" and attaching the high-top. Seeing you do similar fills me with confidence, as at the mo I'm at the 'oh no what have I let myself in for' phase!

wildenbeast · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:33 am Post subject:

Amazing work and attention to detail. I like the two color scheme for your paint choice as well. I've had both a high top and a pop top and share some of your same feelings. I really like the pop top for the camping part of the van, but enjoyed the high top for hauling skis, mountain bikes, and so much more. Enjoy your "new" van.
_________________
- Bill, '93 Eurovan Syncro Weekender (2.5 manual ACU)

Bercilak · Samba Member Joined: August 17, 2009 Posts: 391

The line between brilliance and stupidity is usually drawn in very tight, careful strokes by an obsessive person who makes a virtue of vice by meticulously crafting greatness one overly-engineered and precision-crafted step at a time. Your work is impressive by any standard.

I'm not a huge fan of hightops, but your post makes an excellent argument for having one. I'm more than a bit jealous... maybe I'll start looking around!

Thanks for the post ~ informative and engaging.

B

levi · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

I agree about the fine line between cool and fugly with hi-tops.
In your case..... definitely NOT fugly.
Very cool Cool

_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

simonslp · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject:

Aww shucks y'all, thanks for all the nice comments! Very Happy

Blushhing

mickyfin: You never know, the wife might change her mind when she stands up inside, turns on the fan over the stove, pulls pots and pans from the head-height cupboard, goes into the fridge for ingredients and cooks you up some bacon and beer!!

syncropatrick: 16" syncro westy with dehler profi top? Be still my beating, drooling heart! Pretty sure regret won't be a problem. Pics please!
_________________
91 syncro westy w/ 08 suby ej25
& Get-Away hightop

karush · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:18 pm Post subject: hightop

Great job on the build. I have a couple of questions since I'm planning on doing a similar build. What kind of paint did you use. How did you fasten the foam insulation to the fiberglass.. How is the hightop fastened to the rain gutters of the vanagon. And lastly, what kind of window did you find on Ebay, Are there more. Thanks, Paolo

purplepeopleeater · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 8:03 pm Post subject:

man....I need a hightop.

bassturd.

kuleinc · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject:

I have a pop top, been living in it for 6 days now. It rained the last three. Is this an issue with hightops? I would imagine the powered vent fans go miles in keeping the inside dry. No more kid sleeping on floor when it rains either? It takes nearly a half day of driving just to get the windows dry.
_________________
Check out our Our youtube channel: Https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-EbskIxNm6SYzsq4ugG81A
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496946 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia with 1.8T

simonslp · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:35 pm Post subject:

hi klueinc; I'm pretty sure condensation will be as big an issue with the hightop (even w/ powered vent) as it is with the poptop. The hightop is less breatheable and also tends to build condensation when colder ouside than inside. My plans include the powered vents and a permanent supply of 'dry z air' (or similar).

One sure benefit of a hightop is that the kid is guaranteed comfy upstairs in all weather.
_________________
91 syncro westy w/ 08 suby ej25
& Get-Away hightop

Jedi · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject:

Great job Simon.. That thing looks sweet and the finishing touches are super 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


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2