Date:         Tue, 14 Nov 2006 23:29:31 +0000
Reply-To:     Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Pop Top Install
In-Reply-To:  <d1ea9acf0611141158t20ebc763va3fa64ab5f4a1eea@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

>From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Some who have used this method report fashioning a bed for the stock
roof.  However, to my knowledge, no one has posted pictures and
explanations of how they have built a bed onto the curved roof after
doing this simpler install, although Mark and a few others have said
they did this.

I did the simpler pop top install and put a bed up there using 1/2" plywood
and 2x4s cut at an angle at the sides to support the plywood at the edges
and at the right height to rest in the middle on the highpoint of the roof.
I used 1" foam instead of the 1.75" stock foam and I cut the front board in
half length-wise and put in a long hinge so it can fold over on itself,
rather than onto the rear mattress.  All of that saves space and everything
fits up there.  With the top up, I can fold the front board over again onto
the rear mattress for normal standing space.  But you could also get almost
the same result with less work, if you just leave the stock front mattress
loose and store it over the engine compartment when the top is down.  A
small compromise and easier than what I did.

If I had to do it again, I would cut much more of the arch roof out of the
way, but probably not the pillars and not transplant a whole roof and weld
etc.  That way you can get a flatter area to start and then the bed should
fit up there nicely.  But I can also see the argument for cutting and
welding the full roof on.  When you don't do that, you spend a lot of time
figuring out how it all will come together, and in the end it doesn't look
as good.

I have pictures of mine posted on Vanagon.com Syncro photos area.

Dave in Denver

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