Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 08:57:07 -0800
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Pop top conversion
In-Reply-To: <442A57DF.2060902@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
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)
>
>
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