One problem with gas struts is that they would help the least when the
weight of the top is felt the most, horizontal that is. The spring/cable
setup hidden in the Vanagon Westy support bars helps the most when
needed the most.

I would love to find some approach that could replace the spring strut
bar setup we have as this would solve the major obstacle to adding a
slight bubble top section to a standard westy top. I want a bubble
top/poptop hybrid so I can have a little more headroom even with the top
down. Adding a bubble to the Westy roof is not that major but the damn
support bar is in the way when the top is  down.

Mark

Alistair Bell wrote:
> the vanagon german parts list shows an optional strut assist. the
> struts are located about 3/4 from rear of car body, and angle back to
> roof. look quite diy-able.
>
> Alistair
>
>
> On 3-Feb-07, at 12:58 PM, Jake de Villiers wrote:
>
> Thanks Kim!
>
> I had envisioned the cylinders pushing on the lift bar or the top
> supports.
> What you've done needs a shorter throw from the helpers.
>
> Seeya, Jake
>
> On 2/3/07, Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Bug me enough and you might just get:
>>
>> <http://homepage.mac.com/kimbrennan/PoptopAssist/index.html>
>>
>>