Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:47:08 -0700
Reply-To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Poptop Shocks!!
In-Reply-To: <PNELLDJMDAENDKODABPCEEPLDOAA.badkarma@ttlc.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I'm glad to hear that. I've had the shocks for quite some time, but haven't
had time to install them. When I first got them, there was some question
about the installation template being slightly off, and some folks seem to
have had some trouble, and that sort of scared me. I do need them as I'm
completely unable to lift the poptop. Mine are the non-heavy duty ones.
Patti
90 Westy Automatic
**************************
On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 1:30 PM, Jay Brown <badkarma@ttlc.net> wrote:
> A couple weeks ago I mounted my Thule rooftop box to the rack on my '85
> Westy. I quickly found that this setup was nearly impossible to lift (even
> with the box empty) and seemed like a really good way to wreck my new
> 3-window tent by pinching it in the hinge arms when dropping the top down
> at
> terminal velocity.
>
> I decided that the best way to spare the canvas (and my arms) from almost
> certain agony was to order a pair of the poptop lift shocks that Mark
> (JackBombay) sells over on thesamba.com
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=798951. I received
> my shocks today and got them installed in about 20 minutes, which felt like
> about 19 minutes too long in the 94 degree heat and humidity...
>
> To say that this simple kit is one of the best additions that I have ever
> installed on my van is an understatement. The quality and fit of the kit
> is
> fantastic. All of the necessary hardware is included and the instructions
> are top-notch. I was super impressed to note that he even supplies Grade 8
> fasteners to install the base mounts (hardware nerds rejoice!)
>
> If you have any trouble lifting the top on your van, this setup is just
> what
> the doctor ordered. They are available in 3 different levels of shock
> assist. I went with the medium shocks since I will generally have my Thule
> box and my 60W solar panel on the roof. With this setup I can lift the top
> with one hand and when lowering the top I can park it in any position by
> simply letting go. The top will hover nicely about 6 inches over the
> latch,
> which is just right for gathering the canvas and pulling it in before
> locking the top down.
>
> The only downside is that now I have no excuse not to finish packing for
> the
> music festival this weekend...
>
> Jay Brown
> '85 Zetec Westfalia
> '87 Zetec Wolfsburg
>
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