canvas confusion - 1984

[NorthOf50]

Hi,

I have an early 1984 (03/84) so I should have the staple on canvas right?

but when I look at my canvass I see only rows of screws.

My E# is E00543 which according to GW is <E000871 which should be staple...

Here is my evidence. Is it possible some PO replaced the canvas (seems like an older heavier one) and also modified it to the newer screw strips?

I'm still at the "thinking about it" stage but want to get my ducks in a row before I pull any triggers.

_________________
'84 1.9WBX Camper (Penny)
'88 2.1WBX Camper (Martin)

[crazyvwvanman]

A van built in 03/84 is closer to the end of that model year than to the beginning.
So you have a later 84.

VW new model year production usually began in August or even July.

Mark

[Vanagon Nut]

I think all Westy tent canvases have those same bottom screws and strips. My '81 staple tent attaches to a wood frame at top. Your top doesn't appear to have that. Those top screws look OE. Compare your tent to images of screw tents here in gallery?

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)

1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[ZsZ]

I have read somewhere that Westfalia used their roof inventory without any order in the changover period.
There was a section detail drawing here on Samba somewhere but I cannot find it now.
The staple ones have wood frame which you can staple into while the late ones have an U channel formed from fiberglass.
It is possible that some PO have changed the roof and the canvas to a newer style one after a damage.
Either is true, you have a late style canvas now.

EDIT:
Found it on Limbobus: www.limbobus.org

http://www.limbobus.org/poptop.htm
_________________
Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[djkeev]

Your e number is well in the staple range.

Crazy things happen, a PO may have driven away with the top up (yeah, it happens) and hit an overhead obstruction breaking the original top.
The replacements available would have been the newer screw on design.

You appear to have the deep well on the outside of the tent canvas the new design has and someone didn't just make up a DIY screw fastener system.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

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

Vanagon
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

[space]

It is the latter style canvas you need
For some reason my 82 has the same style attachment (new top perhaps)
T

[Westified]

Is your Westy a Wolfsburg Edition. I have a 1984 and it uses screws not staples. That is how it came from rhe factory. I believe my was produced in March 1984. I will check. I just looked, my was built in 2/84. It has not been modified, it came with screws not staples thank goodness. I did replace the canvas a few years ago with a 3 window tent from busdepot. Their german oem one. It is very tight when i pop the top. That was not a fun job. I did it with the top on the van. Make sure you order the proper canvas. I appears ours fits a little differently then the later vans.
_________________
1984 Westy Wolfsburg, owned since 1987. FAS 2.0 NA engine conversion in 2022.

[Ahwahnee]

My Westy is a May 84 build and looks just like yours. It had the original canvas when I did the replacement.

Under those metal strips the top of the canvas was secured with staples that went into small wooden blocks jammed into a channel in the fiberglass.

The blocks were small and fiddly (about ¼" cubes) so I replaced them with longer pieces cut from plywood that were a snug fit in the channel:

That made it very easy to staple the new canvas in and, of course, I then installed the metal strips.

I found the whole job pretty easy, completing it in an afternoon in the shade of a big oak:

[NorthOf50]

thanks for the replies. sounds like I most likely have a screw down later style but perhaps a wooden block kind of something. I will put this into my bin of "investigate further when I have time"

cheers
_________________
'84 1.9WBX Camper (Penny)
'88 2.1WBX Camper (Martin)