Date:         Tue, 23 Jul 2024 11:52:15 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Poptop conversion
Comments: To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CA+az7_5oj6DRz5SRhhos5oXQeGNnee8csz8+svRDrUZjd0GsPw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi John,

        I’m glad to hear the damage seems to be mostly above the rain gutters.  At least that is what it sounds like.  Inside damage can also be addressed if mostly on top. 

        I’ve seen folks do a pop top conversion.  And to do it right takes skill and labor.  The supports are important. And the more donor parts you get the better.  I even have a friend with a couple vanagons he is putting together and one is a stripped camper with the pop top.  But here in VT it is too far to see if he would be willing to part with them. 

My recommendation would be to do one of a couple things. 

One get a raised top.  It would give you permanent head room, storage, and increase value to cover the cost.  You could leave most of the interior intact. 

Maybe a used one, or maybe Ben T, on this list has one or more from his importing of them. 

I have a friend with a Subaru Vanagon with high top.  It has many conversions and adaptions to allow his wife and him to travel despite the need for a wheelchair and decreased physical mobility.  He prefers this to the pop top he removed. 

I once owned an adventure wagon raised top.  It was very nice.  I prefer the pop top.  But, as I get older I see the advantages to the raised top.  
The other thing I wonder is if you can have the insurance cover welding in a donor tin top. 

And lastly, depending on damage.  Cut out a sunroof and use the vinyls snap on cover.  Not ideal and loud, but very fun! 

In your situation I’d try to find the raised top.  I think it might be the faster fix and give you some nice usability now and resale later. 

Just some thoughts. 

Fingers crossed we hear more about your travels soon and  repairs are behind you.

Eric Caron 


> On Jul 22, 2024, at 10:53 AM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks, Jim. I will check it out.
> 
> On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 9:03 AM Jim Arnott <jrasite@eoni.com> wrote:
> 
>> There was when I rolled my Westy a decade ago. <smile>
>> 
>> John, the roof structure is different on the Westy. The best course of
>> action I’ve heard, is to find a junker and cut the top off at the window
>> posts. Since most buses rust from the bottom up, finding a donor might not
>> be too (a relative term) difficult.
>> 
>> It would not surprise me in the least to find multiple threads on thesamba
>> describing other’s efforts.
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jul 22, 2024, at 6:15 AM, 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?
>>