Date:         Thu, 5 Apr 2001 19:44:47 -0700
Reply-To:     radish150 <radish150@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         radish150 <radish150@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      poptop installation (shudder)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
              x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"

> ---------------------------
>
> Date:    Thu, 5 Apr 2001 17:22:09 -0400
> From:    Ed Shultz
> Subject: Has anyone installed a Westy pop-up?
>
> Hi there,
>
> Has anyone converted a type 3 passenger Vanagon to a pseudo camper by
> installing a Westy pop-up and luggage holder? It looks straight forward if
> someone had the pop-up and all of the canvas. And, also very skillful with
> a saw.
>
> I have a sweet syncro I would love to convert into a camper.
>
> Just curious, Thanks...
> Ed Shultz
> 1987 Syncro GL
> Photos: http://homepage.mac.com/eshultz/PhotoAlbum.html
>
>
Ed, I did this once on a bus, did a complete conversion. Now it's possible that I did it the hard
way, it might have been easier to take the glass out and cut and weld at the pillars but what I
did was to section in the new top right above the gutters and fill in the imperfections with
bondo. It looked good when I was done, but I kid you not, that was the hardest automotive job I've
ever done in my life, and believe me I've done a ton of very hard jobs on cars and trucks, I would
NEVER EVER do that again. Personaly if I were you I'd just install the kitchen gear (not too bad
of a job) and then stick one of those add on rooftop tents that we saw on the list the other day.
Unless your an autobody warrior and can weld, use a plasma cutter, grind, fill, sand, paint and
and and and and (ad neaseum), save yourself a huge headache and just don't. That is of course,
unless your all primed for a good headache, everyone needs one once in a while I suppose.

I'd be interested in hearing other opinions from those who have done this very nasty task.

mark...