Okay, I just measured the "extra" gas springs I had. they are 30" (I
could swore they were longer, but hey, facts, is facts.) So that
means I probably got the 29.33" ones.

On Feb 7, 2007, at 11:15 AM, Doug Alcock wrote:

> 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