Date:         Sat, 25 Feb 2006 22:11:52 -0500
Reply-To:     John Reddick <SVYOLO@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Reddick <SVYOLO@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Are pop-up tops really necessary??

Different strokes for different folks.  VW and Westfalia designed the
van for a target market.  If you don't feel like the target market, modify
away.  However, i would recommend travelling in it bone stock for the
equivalent of a couple of weeks, whether it takes a few weeks or a year.
You might find the stock arrangement kicks butt.  It is easier to learn this
in the beginning, rather than converting back to it years later.
     The beauty of the pop top is that in ten seconds you have standing
headroom to cook, clean, change cloths, or any other more personal things
you might want to accomplish.  You can even rig up a shower that drains
overboard, I know, I have done it. Alternately, you can keep the top down
and "Commando Camp" in a city with no one knowing any better.
     I love my Westy for all the aforementioned reasons. I have "lived" in
my van for 1.3 out of the last 7 years since I bought her on road trips too
numerous to mention.  I run 1 large battery, no solar, no heater, nothing
else that adds weight other than a double sleeping bag good down to 30F solo
or 15F non-solo. For hot showers, I hang a solar hot water heater or sit it
in front of the rear heater and crank it. The result is the same, a hot
shower for 15 bucks.
     The only weight additions that I would rate as an upgrade are a
Subwoofer and amp, SVX engine, LSD,  and 16" alloys and tires.
     If the pop top doesn't work for you, then buy a 7 PAX and add what you
want.  The Vanagon is the ultimate build your own vehicle.  Currently, nice
2wd non-Westies are cheap so go for it.  Just be carefull what you wish for.

John
87 Westy SVX
91 GL 2.5