Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2024 02:28:34 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Poptop conversion
In-Reply-To: <CA+az7_7+4Ry-cs8KAkwoP5h6qECFtFVJk1rg4e1Bg7_yH8w5dQ@mail.gmail.com>
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John, I have a lot of thoughts about your current predicament. First, I am realizing you are not in quite the physical shape you were 20 years ago. Second, I am realizing financial resources are slim. Third, I am realizing there are not a lot of Vanagon options in Alabama, for parts or help or whatever.
I guess the next question, and not seeing any pictures of extent of roof damage, would be...what are your desires?And now, how to get there?
1. Do you want to camp? If so, just do that! Funky Vanagons are adored!
2. Do you want to "improve" situation? If so, remove Headliner. Piece of plywood. Station floor jack appropriately; add a 2x4 of appropriate length; start lifting up damaged area. Move around...if you had an assistant, he would apply blows on sheet metal above to start taking out "high points". Replace Headliner.
3. Hey...if you want to cosmetically hide roof damage because you hate the look, yes a fiberglass Westy Top will conceal. But, if you want "working" Westy Poptop into a Tintop, this is a $uper Huge Effort! Time & Money.
4. Hi-Top Fiberglass thing....excellent of course. Depends on your garage situation. Depends on your financial resources. Depends on reliable arms and legs to help you do it. Huge logistics to make this happen.
5. Just camp! Enjoy the heck out of it! Let the next generation youngsters turn it back to showroom status.
On Monday, July 22, 2024 at 06:15:37 AM PDT, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
Good question.
On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 4:54 AM Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
> I'm looking at converting my pop-top to a high-top next year ... is
> there a market for used pop-tops?
>
>
> John Rodgers wrote on 2024-07-21 20:29:
> > Well, it appears I am still dealing with my Vanagon Carat with Subaru
> > ENGINE, i thought the van was dead, gone, after the tree fell on it.
> Turns
> > out it is a very good candidate for pop top conversion into a camper
> maybe.
> > Anyone done this before? How hard are those tops to come by and
> > install? And at what cost, - both for the top and the labor.. May need a
> > top shipped in. Just plain vanagons are scarce as hen's teeth around
> here.
> > Would it be worth the effort? Would value go up enough to justify it?
> Just
> > thinkING. I sure would like to resurrect this van, even if I don't keep
> it.
> > .
>
>
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