Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:38:24 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Pop top conversion
In-Reply-To: <442ABC63.7010209@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Mark,
I have wondered why, if the curved roof of the Vanagon is problematic,
when it comes to makeing a bed in the conversion, it would nt be a good
idea perhaps to use that other type of pop-top (I don't know the name)
where the whole thing simply lifts straight up, instead of tilt up.
Seems to me to make a lot more sense. And even if a bed weren't put
there, it gives lots more storage during those times when parked and the
lower part of the van is needed for sleeping and etc.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver x2
mark drillock wrote:
> Julianna, I have also done it with the full upper bed. I consider the
> welding in of a Westy roof skin as just a huge waste of time and effort
> and did not do so. Looking at Stuarts weld-in method you can see just
> how little donor roof metal was actually used for all that trouble, and
> he states that he should have used even less. You just don't need the
> Westy roof skin bed rail at all and using it requires way too much
> needless cutting,welding, and paint work. There is a much simpler way to
> have the full upper bed. You can even leave an existing rear A/C unit
> undisturbed and functional, though the center duct obviously can't stay.
> Making a stretch is a ton of work to finish off cleanly without adding
> so much more to the project, like an extra 25 feet of welded seam in the
> roof. You may have noticed that Stuart's web pages DON'T show the donor
> skin after it was welded back in, or the finish work trimming out the
> interior ceiling areas. I wonder why? Keep the project within reach of
> actual completion. I can p-mail more details if desired.
>
>
> Mark
>
> Julianna Thoennes wrote:
>
>> Here is a link showing the easy way to do it. 2 guys over 3 days or so,
>> including a new canvas.
>>
>>>
>>> http://homepage.mac.com/mwsnow/PhotoAlbum5.html
>>>
>>>
>> Thank you Mark!!!!! I was hoping there was a site out there doing just
>> the pop top! Now, do you know if they built a platform over the rounded
>> roof??? I imagine there is barely enough clearance to put the pop top
>> down. I think I will definately do the front pop top this way. I am
>> building a stretch. I think Otmar may have told you. Anyway, I really
>> want the flip down bed for the back pop top though. My brother Steve
>> thinks we can just make a modified bed rail from box steel welded to the
>> frame around the outside of the roof. Is this a pipe dream??? I think
>> it may be possible, but I have never had the roof off of one of these
>> before, and am feeling a tad uncomfy over not knowing if it will work,
>> or can be made to work.....
>>
>> --
>> Julianna
>> www.jonnybottoms.com
>> Silver 1990 VW Vanagon Westfalia with Tiico Conversion (The Rastafalia)
>>
>>
>
>
|