Date:         Sun, 22 Feb 2004 19:40:58 -0700
Reply-To:     Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Your Vanagon questions/POP TOP
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Matt wrote:
> 2) Pop-top canvas question, go to this link:
> http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0005C&L=vanagon&P=R18734

I'm going to be doing this next friday and have a couple questions for
anyone who has done this. After reading Malcolm's great detailed
description, I had a couple thoughts:
What do you think of propping up the pop top, not all the way extended, put
the screws/rails in the bottom, then extend the top up slowly to see how it
"fits", then make adjustments by loosening screws and pulling canvas with
pliers where loose and the alternative where tight. Just seems like it would
make fastening the bottom of the canvas to the van roof easier, especially
the front and maybe sides, until I get far enough back where I need the room
with the top up? I'll be taking Malcolm's suggestion and leave the hinges
attached to the top. I'm going to put duct tape all over the van top in the
area of the hinges to diminish the possibility of scratches. I'll be
removing the top before unfastening the canvas from it. I've already
unscrewed the bottom of the canvas from the van roof. By the way, that took
maybe 40 minutes. No brainer and it has been a long time since I've been in
the upper bunk. Can't waid to be sleeping up there this summer with the 3
windows to open. Sweet. We'll be putting the top on saw horses, covered with
blankets/insulation so no scratching.
The other question: the new canvas does not have holes where the screws go
through, of course. Can you think of a way of puncturing the canvas once it
is place over the hole, so the screws don't get messed up and making this
part of the process a little easier. I'm supposing that once the "center"
hole/screw/rail is in place that the rest is just puncturing the screw
through the canvas under the hole in the rail? Maybe thinking too much but
thought I'd ask y'all.
Thanks for any experience, suggestions, thoughts.
Best,
Bob
'87 Syncro Westy