Date:         Mon, 14 Sep 1998 09:34:11 -0100
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Subject:      Re: retrofitting poptop onto GL?
Comments: To: "Karl F. Bloss" <bloss@ENTER.NET>, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <199809130337.XAA28501@mail.enter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> I searched the archives, but only came up with a query of someone
> asking the same thing.  I know it's been done, but what are the
> realities (costs, possible leaks, structural integrity, etc.) of
> putting a poptop on a GL Vanagon?


The Westies (and sunroof Vanagons) had reinforced roofs to compensate for
the huge hole cut in them.  I have seen several Vanagons which have been
converted to poptops without similar reinforcement bars being welded in, and
functionally they looked and drove fine.  However, I personally would not
want to be in one of those during a major accident, as there's no telling
what the frame might do after being weakened in that manner.  The safe way
to do it is to look at a Wesy and see where the reinforcements were added,
and do something similar.  No matter how you look at it it's a big job,
although I've sold used poptops to several customers who have successfully
tackled it.

- Ron Salmon
 The Bus Depot
 http://www.busdepot.com
 (215) 234-VWVW