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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Little update...
I've had this wheel for awhile now, spline adapter should be here this week from Greece
Got a great deal on these SS6's, so the rear is getting bagged - just filling with schraders for now. I do plan to do the fronts in the near future as well...so I guess my springs are for sale. If you are looking for H&R purples, PM me
In case anyone was wondering - you can fit a Recaro LXF in a standard sized suitcase and come in under weight (for Air Canada at least). It does need to come apart a bit though, but mine needs foam repair anyways (and I'm steaming/cleaning/getting the logo re-embroidered/installing heater)
I also got my hands on a full set of side cladding and the rest of the spoiler bits I needed (Thanks Barry!). I'm going to have to modify the driver side to work with my slider
Maybe some pics of the actual van soon, lol! _________________ 1991 Double door pop top conversion
Last edited by RoryGirl on Mon Jan 06, 2020 11:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1139 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Cool project with lots of nice goodies!
I mostly looked at the photos perhaps 1/2 of the words in this thread, so forgive me if this has been addressed. Did VW ever make a model with double doors AND either a sunroof or pop-top above? I ask because it seems with big holes in the body for doors both left and right, would adding another big hole in the roof make this van concerningly flexible over bumps other conditions that would stress the body?
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5062 Location: denver
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Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:44 am Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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According to another thread, they were originally German police vehicles:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6794836 _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1139 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:33 am Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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joetiger wrote: |
According to another thread, they were originally German police vehicles: |
That's pretty cool! I'd love to see one. I wonder if they got any added reinforcement in the floor or the sides of the roof to add strength and make up for the significant lack of steel...?
Jim _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9889 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:36 am Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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The sunroof vans have a steel roof reinforcement panel inside the ceiling under the headliner. It extends on all sides of the roof opening. This also creates the pocket that the roof slides back into when it is retracted. The rear headroom is slightly reduced in sunroof vans.
Mark |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12102 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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It's nice to finally see someone adding cladding instead of deleting it, which has become all too fashionable of late. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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TommyBoyGomes Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2005 Posts: 1531 Location: L.A./Dublin, Irl
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Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Cool build.
If you end up 3D printing speaker grilles for your front doors, I'd be interested in buying a set! _________________ 1969 Squareback, 1776cc
1990 Vanagon Multivan |
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Ride-Fly Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2015 Posts: 621 Location: PDX
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Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 6:26 am Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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How’s the build going Rorygirl? Give us an update with pics please! Do you have a project completion target? |
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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Ride-Fly wrote: |
How’s the build going Rorygirl? Give us an update with pics please! Do you have a project completion target? |
Eyeballs deep in bodywork right now (and have been taking a break)...will be hopping back on it this weekend. I have both rear fenders/firewall/front fenders cut out. Buy a van with NO RUST, lol
I'll get some pics of something soon, installing some T3 plasma gauges at the moment.
I don't think it will ever be "completed" - but I aim to be driving in April. _________________ 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Ride-Fly Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2015 Posts: 621 Location: PDX
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Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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RoryGirl wrote: |
Ride-Fly wrote: |
How’s the build going Rorygirl? Give us an update with pics please! Do you have a project completion target? |
Eyeballs deep in bodywork right now (and have been taking a break)...will be hopping back on it this weekend. I have both rear fenders/firewall/front fenders cut out. Buy a van with NO RUST, lol
I'll get some pics of something soon, installing some T3 plasma gauges at the moment.
I don't think it will ever be "completed" - but I aim to be driving in April. |
You know, I abide by that remark! I have been looking to add a second Vanagon to my collection and have looked at a bunch. If it even has a hint of seam rust, I pass! What especially raises my alarm bells is when a van has been repainted in the past, yet there are specs of seam rust coming through the paint. Saw several of those in person, and had to pass. Even though there were two that I really would have liked to purchase.
I have just decided I’m no longer getting the 2nd Vanagon for reasons I addressed in my other thread.
With my current westy, I go very lucky. Not a spec of rust on my native Southern California rig when I bought it. After a dozen years in Colorado and Oregon, it developed a small patch on the window frame, but I took care of that when I got it repainted last year.
I am mighty impressed by your work! Where did you learn how do all that? Jeez, I get intimidated by any sort of body work. I’m usually willing to do mechanical and electrical work on my Westy but no can do for body work! |
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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2020 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Ride-Fly wrote: |
I am mighty impressed by your work! Where did you learn how do all that? Jeez, I get intimidated by any sort of body work. I’m usually willing to do mechanical and electrical work on my Westy but no can do for body work! |
Err - about that bodywork...I guess I need to get back on it! I'm definitely an amateur, but with the right tools and internet access I find it comes out looking half decent. Good thing this isn't a Ferrari or something, lol
Picking the right product the first time is important too as I'm finding out with the Pettit rust paint I used on most of my parts and half of the underside. I've stripped most of it off as it was just sh1t. 2 part epoxy priming and powdercoating what I can myself now.
Guess what....more parts pics as proof of life that this isn't an abandoned project!
My front bags came in. Slam Specialties SS5s
I got some Koni reds for the front. I might run the stock springs for a bit to get a baseline alignment, but these will eventually be mounted outside of the control arm as others have done
I pulled the trigger on a MyCar VS-4LU-1 which is the Canadian spec (and originator I think) of the CarLink ASCL6 smartphone app/GPS tracker I outlined here. I'm still deciding on the alarm.
Here's the flooring I'm using, some sort of vinyl - it's pretty thin. I got a box of it at the Restore for $20, it's enough for my needs. Not sure on the subfloor yet.
I've been keeping an eye out for some big ass round fog lights as I really like the contrast to the squares, a la Tristar Eric.
Picked up these aluminum bodied JDM FET LandMaster 216ALBs locally for what I think was a deal. No stone guards, but I'm working on some 3D printed ones now. 216mm = 8.5 inches
I always jump when I see a cheap Thule gutter mount rack (I got some for free too)...so I'm pretty set for either situation. Also because Volvo 745s in my past, lol
_________________ 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7390 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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RoryGirl wrote: |
Garage floor needs work
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Don't get distracted. We need your build way more than Garage Journal needs your floor repair.
Also, I see some sort of high/low combo possibility here. Low in front, high in back or maybe a double-decker rack (it is a double slider, no?
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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jimf909 wrote: |
Also, I see some sort of high/low combo possibility here. Low in front, high in back or maybe a double-decker rack (it is a double slider, no?
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I don't think I have a need for a double-decker rack...but I am going for a "dual/double" sort of theme.
I've been on the lookout for a twin of the Rocketbox I have, but it hasn't materialized yet and my Thule luck has continued - getting this XL box for free (it does have bolts in it from solar panels and a small crack and it's locked, lol). So I think for now the roof is single and the Rocketbox gets sold to finance more parts. I do have 2 100W solar panels, but I'm not sure how I'm mounting those yet - probably not on the box.
Speaking of new parts, I did get a Marco oil pump
And back to the double stuff, I've been collecting these metal futon frames that have been popping up for free, because I don't know about you - but I see a couple of swing-outs in them.
I've got 3 frames, so 6 of those ends (2" OD) and the thing I like about them is that they're light gauge (more than strong enough to hold boxes or wheels...or a fat-ass on a futon, lol). One entire futon frame with hinges and everything weighs less than the Pathfinder carrier. So that's moving on as well...If you're on Vancouver Island and want it or a Gary Lee rack, hit me up.
And also for free, to put on those swing-outs I'll make (next year sometime, after I get it out of the damn garage!), I got these 2 WeatherGuard boxes that were bolted together in an E350. They're 20x20x17.5. Obviously need a little welding and hammer work to get rid of the mounting holes, and I'm going to put on different locks/latches. These could be the only thing on my van that sees bed-liner.
I'm still looking for an OEM AMG 8.5 for cheap, and when I eventually find it I'll have the double spares probably over the rear window. I need to take pics of the double-ness I've got for the interior, but they're a bit buried now. _________________ 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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erste Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013 Posts: 1110 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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RoryGirl wrote: |
I'm still looking for an OEM AMG 8.5 for cheap |
Had to go back a few pages to check out which AMG wheels you were talking about. Hope you don't mind me quoting this pic with the cute dog
Serious parts collection you've got going! Look forward to seeing it come together. |
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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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So...this is happening. DM me if you want to get in on some WBX parts before I list them.
_________________ 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 2967 Location: MD
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Nice engine. How's the ground clearance with that swap? _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Not great...but with the bags, I'm not too worried. I am considering a shortened oil pan, we'll see. _________________ 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Yellow Rabbit Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2005 Posts: 1145
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: 1991 Double door pop top conversion |
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Nice. I used to have a VR6 Jetta. What a smooth wonderful engine! |
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RoryGirl Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 764 Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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