Bombay or Go Westy

[Maine]

Go Westy's top lift strut kit is currently out of stock so I am looking at Jack Bombay's kit. I am in no big rush so should I wait for the Go Westy kit or is Jack's just as good?
Thanks

[Altoona]

Bombay. Less invasive and works well.

[E1]

We use both so it depends on how much weight you're lifting.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Maine]

Most likely a canoe or kayak, 100 lbs give or take. Thanks

[Ahwahnee]

I went with Jack's -- no drilling to install, works great (many years now).

You will want advice from those lifting loads as to how strong a strut you want to use.

[jimf909]

I bought and loved Jack Bombay. In addition to the three strengths of struts he sells (60, 90 and 120 psi) one can get a150 psi strut if you put way too much stuff on the roof.

Jack Bombay’s struts installed in 30 minutes? 60 max and that’s goofing around. They only require that you drill one hole per side. GW struts require a bit more work.

If I had to do it over I’d do the same thing.

Lotsa weight (8 towers, 4 bars, box, basket, etc.) Bombay struts with 150 psi struts (bought on Amazon for $30?)..,

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- Jim

[vwwestyman]

I put a Bombay kit on my Bus. I don't know why he doesn't seem to advertise that he's got em for the Buses, but he does.

I used the HD struts for when I've got the canoe up there. I take them off when it is unloaded, as they seem to push out on the fiberglass a little.

_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[joetiger]

I used JB's for a long time but had constant problems with one of the struts popping off when I'd close it. JB was very supportive via email and said it was due to the bolts from my rain gutters, but that wasn't the case. It's a very well-designed product but I couldn't figure out why I was having this problem.

I ended up buying the GoWesty kit and installing it, and it works fine. It's definitely more intrusive due to the holes and rivnuts, but it also seems more stable towards the front of the top due to its mounting position.

What I came to find out is the base of one of my push bars was loose. Every time I went to lift or close the top, the passenger's side base of the push bar would move about a half-inch either forward or back and make the top open and close unevenly, making a JB strut pop off. Duh.

So, having used both, I can say that they're both great products. JB's is a quicker, cleaner install and is less expensive to boot.

Had I paid more attention to everything that was happening with the lifting mechanism, I'd probably still be using JB's; however, since I went through the trouble of drilling, I'm using GW and it has worked fine.

TLDR: I'm an idiot and Jack Bombay makes a great product that is less expensive and easier to install.
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
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Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[Jake de Villiers]

Go with Mark's Jack Bombay product! Its easy to install, it works really well and he's a Sambanista, too!!!
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
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[E1]

[theadventureneverends]

JB!

[chrisfreemanca]

[Alaskaberrys]

We’ve got Jack Bombay’s struts on our Westy - nothing on the roof (yet) so went with the lighter struts.

Best part, we were traveling through Utah and queried how we might arrange a spot to ship them too - turned out he was working a job on our route - invited us to stop in and pick them up. We did and to our surprise he installed them right then and there. In less than 10 minutes (I think he’s had some practice )

Great product and great guy. Highly recommend.
_________________
'91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...)

[Ride-Fly]

I bought the JB dual shocks and only use the HD struts. With only the Yakima bars and Skybox 18 on top, it provides a nice automatic lift. I can get the top down without any trouble. However, with my box loaded with about 130 lbs, it wasn’t quite up to the task of lifting the top. If I were to add a kayak or SUP, in addition to my camping load, I think I’d need additional assist, so I am considering adding the GW struts as well.

[markswagen]

Another vote for the jack Bombay struts, I've fitted both, and prefer his.
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[dgbeatty]

The GoWe$ty struts are a near copy of the factory struts, there is a picture in the ETKA. The Bombays are a little easier to install I guess, but not by much. For a really heavy roof the combination of the two is nice. My thought is that the Bombay style stresses the roof if the roof is loaded heavier toward the front. A final though, shoulhn't the top be supported by the available brackets that rest on the gutters. It is asking a lot of the latch and seals to support the heavier loads especially over rough terrain and strong winds?

[Maine]

Thanks for all the replies ordered the JB lift struts today.

[E1]

Right call made, we gotta support the good guys.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[djkeev]

Whenever Jack Bombay is mentioned (I purchased and am very pleased with his shock kit BTW) my mind always jumps to Dr Bombay (Bernard Fox) on the old TV show Bewitched.

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[E1]

That's hilarious, same here.

Just saw him as a handyman on Andy Griffith a few nights back, but was far more enlivened by cousin Sabrina.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman