We did one with a sunroof, and it was a hellava job. That was with
the structural frame of the roof not being cut out as there was an
inner pan and reinforced edges.

We recreated the center bar with angle and flat iron, and upholstered
it. The bed works perfectly, and we were able to keep the headliner.
I'll post the pics as soon as I can find the snapshots.

We still have a roof section off a westy (we used as the template
before) and another candidate vanagon at the shop, and all of us are
still scratching our heads how we can separate off the reinforcing
from the window pillars.... even with a plasma cutter.

Please be careful that you put some rigidity back in your van, cuz a
side impact or a rollover could be disastrous.

Good luck on your project!

Ri

(Haven't I seen the rastafalia lurking around Portland?)

On Mar 28, 2006, at 6:41 PM, Julianna Thoennes wrote:

> Hi all, I decided to get back on the list!  Its been a couple of
> years.
> Anyway, I am hoping to gain some insight on converting a standard
> Vanagon to having a pop top.  I know someone had a great website here
> that did it, and I have been going through the archives, but can not
> find a link that works.  Anyway, does that website still exist, or are
> there others???  I am embarking on a very large project, with this
> being
> one of the tasks.   (Brian, the rusty Texas Westy got worse and
> worse as
> we removed the cabinets)
>
> Anyway, bring on your ideas, and critisisms!  I want them all!  Thanks
> guys, and gals!  Its good to be back!
>
> --
> Julianna
> www.jonnybottoms.com
> Silver 1990 VW Vanagon Westfalia with Tiico Conversion (The
> Rastafalia)
>