Date:         Sat, 3 Feb 2007 00:06:36 -0500
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Poptop Raise Assists (Fryeday content)
Comments: To: BA <oddstray@ODDSTRAY.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <ne28s2t5vcomua50qlvrg629s6ndmo7ed4@4ax.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

# 1) Westfalia's already have springs to help lift the top. They are
back there in the hinge.

#2) I did add gas springs to help lift the top...but only because I
have got a humongous extra luggage carrier on top (110 pound luggage
carrier, NOT including what is in it.)

You could do something similar to what I did, and use weaker gas
springs.

My gas springs are attached at one end to the pivot bracket, and at
the other end to a luggage rack plate that a previous owner had added
to the poptop.

Note. You do NOT want to just bolt the gas springs to the poptop. You
need to spread the load out. Fiberglass can crumble under load.

Again, in my case the luggage rack plate is attached with 2 bolts and
has an inner plate. I replaced one of the original bolts with the
bolt for the gas spring. This allows for the whole carrier rack plate
to support the additional lifting force applied.

I used 250 pound rated gas springs (one on each side). A different
arrangement might be more efficient, but mine has the advantage of
being just about invisible.


On Feb 2, 2007, at 11:37 PM, BA wrote:

>   (Unless we learn
> something more about it  ... doesn't someone on this list have a
> hydraulic-assist-lift poptop???)