Date:         Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:42:41 -0800
Reply-To:     mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: ebay Vanagon with extra headroom - poptop only - no roof.
Comments: To: Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <CBC9C579-5986-41CE-AA46-A97D0E720935@COMCAST.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

That C pillar cross brace IS welded in, both hardtop and Westy.

As for the sunroof vans, those have MORE roof structure than standard
roofs, a lot more. I'd say the sunroof is the strongest roof, followed
by the the hardtop, Westy last.

Mark



Tom Buese wrote:
>
> Unless that cross brace is welded in, it doesn't add any torsional stiffness to the body- a "moment resisting connection" would be required to transfer that stiffness to the body&  if the brace is only siting on a lip in the opening, it is only supporting axial or gravity loads on it.
>
> Mr. BZ-licensed architect who can legally design some structural members, but uses much smarter structural engineers to do that instead
>
>
>> (and as mentioned, to support forward end of westy bunk plywood). In the tin top, the beam is curved to match roof curvature, in the westy its not.
>>
>> Both van types have box section cross beam at forward end of roof opening area.
>
> yep, that box section is what provides the torsional stiffness around the opening
>>