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Kkinsch Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2015 Posts: 50
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 2:10 pm Post subject: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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Ok...I searched all of these threads and didn't see where anyone had a similar issue. The PO had installed ARGs forward of the normal point. This ARG happens to be exactly where the upper bolt of the shock should be. The install directions indicate the drill point should be 5.75 inches up. That's exactly where the ARG sits.
My question is, will mounting the upper bolt a little lower in order to avoid that ARG significantly change the effectiveness of the shock? Do you think it will be too forward of a force vs lifting? Pic below to show the ARG and the pencilled in arc for where the bolt should go.
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Popsvan Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 112 Location: Louisa, VA
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 5:44 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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Contact Jack, possibly upgrade the rear ARG to the 4 bolt style and share a bolt? _________________ Rory
Louisa VA
87 Westy Automatic |
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msewalson Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2009 Posts: 544 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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I recently installed one of his lift assist kits. I was having issues with the top not closing all the way. I contacted Mark and he helped walk me thru my issues. I had a brain fart and completely over looked the mounting hardware for my ARG which was hanging up the strut and preventing it from completely closing. I definitely recommend this kit, shocks work awesome, great customer service and through instructions.
FYI, my Vanagon is a converted passenger van with a Westy pop top bolted to the orginal tintop roof.
Matt. _________________ 87 Syncro w/EJ22 |
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0cean Samba Member
Joined: February 29, 2012 Posts: 1149 Location: California
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msewalson Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2009 Posts: 544 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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Artificial Rain Gutter _________________ 87 Syncro w/EJ22 |
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Kombi///M3 Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2011 Posts: 427 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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I had the same problem in my old Wolfsburg.
I did contact Mike.i forgot the exact ". I think it's
Nothing more than .25 inches is ok.. I did managed
To file a slot on the Yakima bottom rack to screw the
Upper strutt but. I didn't touch the ARG at all.
Where exactly is it? Can you mark it? I can't see it
In the pic.
Good luck! |
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jackbombay Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Eastern Idaho
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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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Kkinsch wrote: |
My question is, will mounting the upper bolt a little lower in order to avoid that ARG significantly change the effectiveness of the shock? |
I know this is an older thread, but for anyone searching for an answer to the same issue, you can lower the mounting point a bit and it won't have much impact on the effectiveness of the strut, it will possibly make the lower edge of the top bow out slightly, but most tops don't experience that. The fiberglass is super strong, years ago I did try to do some destructive testing of the pop top fiberglass, and I couldn't make it fail, that was with me hanging from the ball stud and I was wearing a backpack full of rocks, me, 165 pounds, plus 90 pound pack thrashing around as hard as I could, the fiberglass just laughed at me! _________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
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Kkinsch Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2015 Posts: 50
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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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I'll concur as the OP, I was able to install the bolt a little lower to clear the artificial gutter and the lift still works as intended with little to no bowing |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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I had a conflict with my hardware, not in mounting location but in conflict with the strut. I just needed to cut back the bolt on the inside to clear the strut. I simple mock-up might help understand your problem.
_________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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msewalson Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2009 Posts: 544 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:08 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
I had a conflict with my hardware, not in mounting location but in conflict with the strut. I just needed to cut back the bolt on the inside to clear the strut. I simple mock-up might help understand your problem.
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Great pic for visualizing how the shock and ARG mounting hardware can interfere with one another.
I got hung up with making sure the upper ball mount wouldn't interfere with the ARG. I overlooked the mounting bolts can protrude to far on the back side and hand up the shock when closing.
Matt _________________ 87 Syncro w/EJ22 |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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FWIW
I has the same ARGs mounted before I installed struts. I didn't want to make another hole so put a piece of alum L channel off the longer bolts that Yakima gives us and mounted the shock to that.
top, yak washer, yak nut, new L channel, new nylock
someone on here has pics of my install _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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jfu057 Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2012 Posts: 96 Location: Greensboro
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:15 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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Just in case none of the other options work. I recently moved the ARGs that were on my van when I bought it. They were installed all the way forward for some reason and I was adding a set of these struts. Moving them and repairing the fiberglass with a patch kit is very easy to do and seems just as strong as the rest of the top once complete. Looks good as new, as long as you don't mind refinishing the top afterward that is |
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Rorke Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016 Posts: 255 Location: Traverse City, MI
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 6:23 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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Installing Thule 387 ARG's on brother's '85.
While we do not have them now, we are absolutely adding the Jack Bombay's.
Can anyone (Jack) help me determine where to drill so that I can use the same hole for both the ARG and strut?
- OR
Can anyone recommend a better place to install where I am guaranteed not to interfere with the amazing struts?
I added JB Struts on my '88 and just got lucky that there was no interference. Too bad my bus is 1263 miles north of our current location.
In my Samba search, I found a pic of a template that was cool, but no exact positioning. I guess it is 20.25", but from where, I do not know.
Thanks all. We need to hit the road pronto. |
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porterbrown Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2005 Posts: 718 Location: Bentonville, AR
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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Rorke wrote: |
Installing Thule 387 ARG's on brother's '85.
While we do not have them now, we are absolutely adding the Jack Bombay's.
Can anyone (Jack) help me determine where to drill so that I can use the same hole for both the ARG and strut?
- OR
Can anyone recommend a better place to install where I am guaranteed not to interfere with the amazing struts?
I added JB Struts on my '88 and just got lucky that there was no interference. Too bad my bus is 1263 miles north of our current location.
In my Samba search, I found a pic of a template that was cool, but no exact positioning. I guess it is 20.25", but from where, I do not know.
Thanks all. We need to hit the road pronto. |
You need to have jack's kit in hand and measure everything out before you drill the holes for the ARG's...if you want to share the penetration points. Have patience and do everything at once. I was in your shoes, and this is what I did; it was worth waiting. _________________ '90 Westfalia GL Automatic |
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Rorke Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016 Posts: 255 Location: Traverse City, MI
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theadventureneverends Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2009 Posts: 585 Location: Gig Harbor WA
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 9:52 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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I have the Thule ARGs (2 hole), Jack Bombay struts sharing the same hole. I did this on a factory 91 Westfalia with everything in hand. If you have not drilled yet. I would be happy to go out and measure the location. |
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theadventureneverends Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2009 Posts: 585 Location: Gig Harbor WA
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 9:59 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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AZ Landshaper Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2009 Posts: 1698 Location: The Old Pueblo
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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I haven't drilled yet and I just finished my last coat of bright side. I'm drill on hand w ARGs to boot. I would very very very much appreciate knowing the location of the JB strut so I can drill one hole to accommodate both accessories. I've got these 7 foot Thule rails that I have been eager to mount but I had to paint first. Yeah yeah. Nothing like progress. _________________ Support Small Business.
-------------------------------------------------------
85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug. |
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jackbombay Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Eastern Idaho
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 4:43 am Post subject: Re: Jack Bombay Poptop Strut Install? |
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AZ Landshaper wrote: |
I haven't drilled yet and I just finished my last coat of bright side. I'm drill on hand w ARGs to boot. I would very very very much appreciate knowing the location of the JB strut so I can drill one hole to accommodate both accessories. |
Each van varies a bit with regards to the location of the threaded hole in the metal van roof that the hinge bolt goes into vs the location of the pop top in relation to those holes so drilling the pop top accurately without the kit is pretty tough, there is a reasonable chance the hole will be in the right place, but there is also a reasonable chance you will have to ovalize the hole a bit once you have my kit in hand to get the upper ball stud in the right location.
Going high and further back with the ARG avoids interference and keeps the weight on the roof further back which minimizes how much it affects pop top popping when it is there vs when it is removed.
My sig has a link to a Samba thread which shows how to make your own ARGs for the rear mounting to the hinge bolts/screws, that location is a little too far back for rocket boxes as they will hang off the back, but can work well for other uses. _________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
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