Hi Kim,
Please send pics if you have any --- and details on the shocks themselves
(how long for example). A couple of other questions ---- How much weight are
you putting on the Westy top? Is it on a roof rack?
The luggage rack plate you describe sounds very similar to the "artificial
rain gutters" that I attach my roof rack to. I carry a canoe regularly, with
paddles and gear in it it's probably 80-90 pounds and I sympathise
completely when you say that putting the top down is the problem --- I've
learned to do a sort of controlled crash :-) to lower the top when the canoe
is on top. Raising the top is easy -- I jump up on the luggage rack in front
and use the tied on canoe as a handy lever.
This sounds like the Westy mod I've been waiting for --- please share your
pics and wisdom.

Cheers,
Doug

On 2/3/07, Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
>
> # 1) Westfalia's already have springs to help lift the top. They are
> back there in the hinge.
>
> #2) I did add gas springs to help lift the top...but only because I
> have got a humongous extra luggage carrier on top (110 pound luggage
> carrier, NOT including what is in it.)
>
> You could do something similar to what I did, and use weaker gas
> springs.
>
> My gas springs are attached at one end to the pivot bracket, and at
> the other end to a luggage rack plate that a previous owner had added
> to the poptop.
>
> Note. You do NOT want to just bolt the gas springs to the poptop. You
> need to spread the load out. Fiberglass can crumble under load.
>
> Again, in my case the luggage rack plate is attached with 2 bolts and
> has an inner plate. I replaced one of the original bolts with the
> bolt for the gas spring. This allows for the whole carrier rack plate
> to support the additional lifting force applied.
>
> I used 250 pound rated gas springs (one on each side). A different
> arrangement might be more efficient, but mine has the advantage of
> being just about invisible.
>
>
> On Feb 2, 2007, at 11:37 PM, BA wrote:
>
> >   (Unless we learn
> > something more about it  ... doesn't someone on this list have a
> > hydraulic-assist-lift poptop???)
>

--
http://www.dougalcock.com