I'd like to think that a "pumpjack' style of foot operated jack could be
devised by maybe one of our engineering minded members.
something like a walking jack with a foot operated pump to lift the
top..  and a hook to facilitate bringing it down for our shorter
members.

I know I've seen images of European westfalia vanagons with hatch
assist struts on the top. there was some mention of these earleir on the
syncro list.
if these are a DIY- could someone share the ideas, if they are a
commercial product maybe one of our importing vendors could start to
stock them?

a quick and dirty homebrewed DIY could devise an extension for an old
automotive 'bumper jack' to assist in the lift also.

Dan.
_________________________________________________________________
From:    Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject: Re:

If you are shorter, standing on a small platform of some type may
assist.

I have been an advocated of weight training my entire life, I have
many
friends who are in their "golden years" who still lift and train with
weights, it helps so many things. Fantastic investment in you.

I know the new eurovans use gas assist shocks (similar to the ones on
the
vanagon rear hatch) I see no reason a set of assist shocks could not
be
adapted to the pop top to counterbalance some of the weight. One could
study
the Eurovan's top to help with the geometry and design.
Great one for some of you engineering folks or BS or GW to tackle,
certainly
their is a market for it. There have been several posts on this very
topic
here on the list.

C'mon guys lets see the magic creative energy of the list put to some
good
use.

Doug