Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 08:29:12 -0800
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Reasonable price for 85 Westy poptop,
how to remove and transport
In-Reply-To: <41DA3189.2060800@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Sure, it is feasible. The top will fit inside a passenger Vanagon so
transport is no problem if you have such available. I have also carried
them upside down on another Westy but neither had a skylight and tying
them down well is not easy. Bungees won't do it, get 100 feet of strong
nylon cord. It is a 2 man job to remove and transport the main top
section. I prefer to take the main support legs off entirely. If the
canvas is shot just cut it away to start with so you can get to the tiny
screws easier. Leave one loosened rear hinge bolt in place on each side
until the very last thing so the top does not fall off and hurt someone.
Then with the top lowered lift the rear corners one at a time to remove
the last bolts. After that, one guy inside pushes up and works the top
off to the rear and the second guy catches the rear end. When he has all
he can handle he yells at the inside guy to get out and help.
good visegrips (for the big latch plate screws)
phillips screwdrivers, all assorted sizes with *good* tips, plus 2
smaller ones for the dozens of tiny canvas hold down screws
large flat blade screwdriver for luggage rack screws
1/4" drive metric socket/ratchet set 10-13
open end metric wrench set 10-13
small and medium ziplock bags
masking tape and pen for labeling
utility knife
I would expect to pay up to $150 for the whole thing. Usually the more
you take at one time the cheaper the total cost at self serve yards. Get
the front part of the upper bed along with the bed hinges and both
sections of pad if you want an upper bed. Consider making a solo trip
for the luggage rack and smaller parts first. Then you can be sure you
have all the needed tools as well as loosen everything else before
dragging a friend along for the hard part. 2 motivated guys can get the
parts off in an hour or so if they know what to do. 2-3 if they are
slow. It is most important to be careful not to strip the heads of the
tiny screws that hold the aluminum strips to the body roof. You must
have the proper fitting phillips screwdriver for the tiny screws. A
cordless drill and a sharp 3/16" bit can be used to drill any damaged
heads off if that becomes necessary.
Mark
Sam Walters wrote:
> The poptop on the 85 Westy in a pick and pull lot in Baltimore is in
> good shape although the canvas and side gasket are shot. I was giving
> some thought to trying to get it to perhaps put on my Syncro, although
> I don't think it would be possible to cut off the top as some have
> done. I would have to unscrew the pieces at the yard and bring it out
> that way.
>
> Is this feasible? How much should I be willing to pay for the top,
> hinges, support bars, catch, etc. and the front luggage rack? How
> long is it likely to take to remove it? How hard would it be to
> transport it about 6-8 miles over city streets to get it to a storage
> garage? Is this feasible / likely to happen without damaging the
> fiberglass. I have dozens of bungee cords.
> Advice from experienced scavengers will be appreciated.
> Sam
>
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