Date:         Fri, 2 Feb 2007 20:37:10 -0800
Reply-To:     BA <oddstray@ODDSTRAY.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BA <oddstray@ODDSTRAY.COM>
Subject:      Poptop Raise Assists (Fryeday content)
In-Reply-To:  <d81c42190702021054l7fbcb846n5d5e68dd1247266d@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

So ...

We're thinking of possible ways that B, having *absolutely* *no* arm
strength, might be able to raise the Westy pop-top.

Plan A:  We recently looked at a newer-model Westfakia that had
"hydraulic assist" to raise the poptop.  S points out that the
hydraulic struts on our hatchback make it more difficult to raise the
hatch, as well as making it more controllable to lower the hatch.
Therefore, the default position of a "hydraulic assist" poptop must be
the Up position.  Also therefore there must be some sort of spring
arrangement that allows one to lower that poptop from its default Up
position.  We conclude that model is a no-go.  (Unless we learn
something more about it  ... doesn't someone on this list have a
hydraulic-assist-lift poptop???)

Plan B.  We might use a ratchet that would give B a mechanical
advantage to *push* the poptop up.  But ... where does such a ratchet
get mounted?  The front edge of the poptop is rear-wards of the
sliding door.  So anywhere we could mount such a ratchet would get in
our way.

Plan C:  How else can I get an assist to raise something heavy.  With
a pulley.  But ... we would need a "sky-hook" on which to mount the
pulley.  Something like parking under a sturdy tree.  Not likely to
happen!  We live in SoCal and frequent Baja California ... we're
mostly in the desert.  No trees!!!

So, we wibble to each other about stuff like this.  And S mentions the
mast on a boat, which exists solely to hold a "sky-hook" for raising
sails.   Saaaaay ......

What if we could create a 'mast' that gets mounted in the luggage
rack.  The cleats in the luggage rack may be used to can hold it
upright.  Then we have a sky-hook to which we can attach a pulley. And
...  we just happen to have someplace from which to use that pulley,
since we have a front trailer hook.  Harbor Freight has winches for
$50 or so ...

Unforeseen benefit:   We got stuck in sand during our latest foray
into Baja.  We coulda' used a winch!!!  :-o  S finds that the gross
vehicle weight is 5160 lbs.  So the winch which is rated for 2000 lbs
would probably have been enough to have pulled us out, esp. if we had
been able to push the darn thing as well.


Are we completely nutz?!?!?

(Anyone got any ideas, however crazy, for connecting the cable to the
front of the poptop?  As smug engineer types, everything else seems to
us like a slam-dunk ... )


B&S
Both Of Us Engineer-Type Nerds And Proud Of It!!!
'87 Westy 'Esmerelda Blanc'
SoCal