Can you put a Westy top on a Country Homes Vanagon?

[Dukebmx]

Can you put a Westy top on a camper homes 1984 Vanagon?

My top is broken and I'm thinking it would be easier to put a Westy top on it?

Would the roof be cut out differently?

Jon,

[thatvwbusguy]

The roof is definitely cut differently and reinforced differently. CHC campers were converted here in the US from passenger vans.

Here is a link from an old post showing the "right way" to do the Westy poptop transplant:
http://members.shaw.ca/stuartblack/vwprojec.htm

Samba member syncroincity may have information / access to new CHC tops which would be a much easier fix.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[canasync]

You can definitely install a westy top on a country homes camper.

There is no "right way" of doing it, just a factory way or a custom job. A properly done custom install with structural reinforcements can actually be stronger than a factory setup.

What is broken on your top?
_________________
1987 Syncro
3 knobs
PumpeDüse TDI (17mm Garret Turbo, bigger injectors, stage 4 malone tune, intercooled)
Cruise Control
Planar Coolant Heater
Remote Start/locks
Custom Lift
Custom Bumpers with receivers
Coast Mountain Hightop - Comming Soon

1985 2wd Vanagon Pre-runner in the making
soon to be powered by 2.5L Subaru
Custom Lift

[xoo00oox]

for reference, here is a hole cut out for a Country Homes Roof.

[xoo00oox]

the underside.

[DLJ]

Canasync is on the mark. There is no right way or wrong way to do this.
Its your call. I can tell you after installing about 20 CHs tops Its easy. No cutting, just use the existing hole already there from from the original install.
You will need to reinforce the roof where the lift bar of the Westy top attaches to your van. Also you will need to do a small modification where the rear hinges attach to the roof. Its done all the time. Piece of cake.

[DLJ]

Canasync is on the mark. There is no right way or wrong way to do this.
Its your call. I can tell you after installing about 20 CHs tops Its easy. No cutting, just use the existing hole already there from from the original install.
You will need to reinforce the roof where the lift bar of the Westy top attaches to your van. Also you will need to do a small modification where the rear hinges attach to the roof. Its done all the time. Piece of cake.

[thatvwbusguy]

Getting a Westy poptop bolted on is the easy part. Making a functional bed up top is a bit more of a challenge with the rounded profile of the passenger van roof. Many people I know who have done the Westy top on a passenger van give up on the bed idea and just use the upstairs for storage. I have done two Westy bolt on transplants as well as a couple Riviera installs (one Baywindow, one Vanagon) I can definitely vouch for the simplicity of that transplant. The Riviera top sits higher than a Westy top in part to allow for a simple bed platform to work with the passenger van roofline.

The OP's van had a tree fall on the top. The van is currently listed in the classifieds.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[canasync]

Here is an example of what one of my friends that converted his hard top to a pop top. I don't have any pictures of the completed reinforcement or completed project but the fabricator that did the welding added very substantial cross braces. My buddy wanted a thicker mattress than the factory westy one but still wanted to be able to keep all the bedding, cushions included on the bed while the top is down. To achieve this, the cross braces were welded in a few inches below where the westy would have them.

It's not a factory install but the end result turned out awesome.

[/img]
_________________
1987 Syncro
3 knobs
PumpeDüse TDI (17mm Garret Turbo, bigger injectors, stage 4 malone tune, intercooled)
Cruise Control
Planar Coolant Heater
Remote Start/locks
Custom Lift
Custom Bumpers with receivers
Coast Mountain Hightop - Comming Soon

1985 2wd Vanagon Pre-runner in the making
soon to be powered by 2.5L Subaru
Custom Lift

[Dukebmx]

Hey thanks for all the info

I'm going to consider everything and try to decide whats best to do for my situation?

Luckily I have a buddy that pretty good at modifying stuff?

Wish us luck!

Jon

[DAIZEE]

Also now is a good time to consider a high top or some such change.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[xoo00oox]

here is a sneak-peak at what I have been up to with the CHC roofs....

[goffoz]