Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Making pop-top hinges... need a little info
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Thoragaverung
Samba Member


Joined: September 15, 2018
Posts: 81
Location: Saint Paul
Thoragaverung is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:14 am    Post subject: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

HI,

I am making some pop-top hinges, as was discussed in this thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630622.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I have roughed in the components but need to notch the bars that attach to the poptop roof and the tintop so the hinges can collapse to their lowest point.

My question: how low should these be able to go? I don't have any "real" hinges to compare to. I want to tweak these until their range of motion is identical to the stock parts... then I'll make them pretty.

How low should they go? Can somebody post a pic of the real article at the lowest range of motion?

thanks.
_________________
Happy to help, but my advice comes with no guarantees. Use at own risk.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Yellow Rabbit
Samba Member


Joined: August 31, 2005
Posts: 1145

Yellow Rabbit is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 7:15 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

Nice work. It looks like yours attach to the top horizontal part of the roof. At least if I am seeing holes in the top edge correctly. The OEM ones attach to the side of the roof. I’m not sure the measurement would be the same.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Thoragaverung
Samba Member


Joined: September 15, 2018
Posts: 81
Location: Saint Paul
Thoragaverung is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 7:39 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

The top and bottom angles could be replaced with flat bar if the actual roof I obtain calls for it.

I am in the final stages of negotiating for a nice 1985 manual tin top now. Hoping the owner comes back with a realistic price...
_________________
Happy to help, but my advice comes with no guarantees. Use at own risk.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
MarkWard
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17007
Location: Retired South Florida
MarkWard is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 7:53 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

That’s a difficult picture to come by. I measured from the top of my drip rail to the center of the bottom side bolts and it is 4 1/8” on both sides. The camper tin roof has indents where the hinges attach. A tin top won’t have those indents.

Knowing vw, the hinges fold to the point where they won’t go over center. This maybe something that you figure out when you have everything in hand. Nice looking reproduction hinges.
_________________
☮️
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Thoragaverung
Samba Member


Joined: September 15, 2018
Posts: 81
Location: Saint Paul
Thoragaverung is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:03 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

MarkWard wrote:
That’s a difficult picture to come by. I measured from the top of my drip rail to the center of the bottom side bolts and it is 4 1/8” on both sides. The camper tin roof has indents where the hinges attach. A tin top won’t have those indents.

Knowing vw, the hinges fold to the point where they won’t go over center. This maybe something that you figure out when you have everything in hand. Nice looking reproduction hinges.


That's actually all the info I need. Basically then, the top and bottom hinge members have to be parallel when at rest.

Onward and upward!

I am kind of wondering if there''s a way to add helper springs to these. Might be fun to tinker with.
_________________
Happy to help, but my advice comes with no guarantees. Use at own risk.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
MarkWard
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17007
Location: Retired South Florida
MarkWard is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:15 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

Quite a few have added gas shocks like you’d find on a hatch. They are available in multiple lengths and rates. You can search here poptop shocks. There are also a couple good threads on converting tin tops to pop tops. Good discussions about cutting bracing etc.
_________________
☮️
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
djkeev
Samba Moderator


Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32432
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
djkeev is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:17 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

You could design in a spring but you would probably pinch and puncture the tent fabric as it compressed.
Hydraulic lift kits are readily available and are time proven technology.

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Yellow Rabbit
Samba Member


Joined: August 31, 2005
Posts: 1145

Yellow Rabbit is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:33 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

Are you also making the front machinism?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
RoryGirl
Samba Member


Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 768
Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
RoryGirl is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:55 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

I get 5 inches fully closed

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
1991 Double door pop top conversion
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Thoragaverung
Samba Member


Joined: September 15, 2018
Posts: 81
Location: Saint Paul
Thoragaverung is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 1:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

Thanks everyone! For the pic especially.

I think the springs would impact the fabric, I didn't think that through enough. Hydraulics it is.
_________________
Happy to help, but my advice comes with no guarantees. Use at own risk.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
J Charlton Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 1544
Location: The True North Strong and Free
J Charlton is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2021 5:42 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

I'd suggest that you look at linear actuators rather than hydraulics. Way simpler to run 12v to actuators than to deal with hydraulics - easier to program and control as well.
_________________
NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 3 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 5 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2023
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
0cean
Samba Member


Joined: February 29, 2012
Posts: 1149
Location: California
0cean is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2021 5:43 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

Something like this.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
I'm not a mechanic, I just play one on the internet

Cluster Rebuild:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569920&highlight=

Left for Dead the Resurrection Story Build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=613669
(Number of Different Donor VW Vans Body Parts Used: 12)
(Number of completely different vehicles parts used: 3)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Thoragaverung
Samba Member


Joined: September 15, 2018
Posts: 81
Location: Saint Paul
Thoragaverung is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2021 8:17 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

I meant the pressurized lifts, not actual hydraulics... LOL

I'm not lifting a house
_________________
Happy to help, but my advice comes with no guarantees. Use at own risk.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
0cean
Samba Member


Joined: February 29, 2012
Posts: 1149
Location: California
0cean is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:30 am    Post subject: Re: Making pop-top hinges... need a little info Reply with quote

Thoragaverung wrote:
I meant the pressurized lifts, not actual hydraulics... LOL

I'm not lifting a house


You never know what's going to happen out in the bush. Better be prepared, be prepared. Shocked Laughing

Sent you a PM.
_________________
I'm not a mechanic, I just play one on the internet

Cluster Rebuild:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569920&highlight=

Left for Dead the Resurrection Story Build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=613669
(Number of Different Donor VW Vans Body Parts Used: 12)
(Number of completely different vehicles parts used: 3)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.