Exactly right --- I've thought of this but haven't implemented
yet...........

Cheers,
Doug

On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:08 AM, Al Knoll <anasasi@gmail.com> wrote:

> Perhaps this method might help.
>
> First perhaps having similar struts in different 'powers' is a good
> idea for those heavily loaded days and those less loaded days.
>
> Then, if you attach a suitable strap to the lifting mechanism, those
> bits you push up upon to raise the top,  you can step on the strap,
> lean on the strap, or otherwise pull down the top by pulling down with
> the strap on the lifting mechanism.  This leaves your hands free to
> latch it down, tuck the canvas or swat the occasional offending bug in
> the process.
>
> In a pinch you can use the strap loop as a swing, a place to hang the
> laundry, a drying rack for sausage, a ferret challenge... the
> opportunities are boundless.   The strap folds neatly above the BZ
> shelf when not in use.  Pick colors to match your mood.
>
> Breathe in, breathe out, move on.  (Buffett, Jimmy not Warren)
>
> Lyrics can be found here:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6hmaax
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 6:38 PM, Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hey, guys, no need to dump on Frank here!  Since I bought the kit from
> him,
> > I phoned him about the problems before I posted to the list.  While he
> did
> > get rather excessively defensive on the phone <g>, I was also able to
> > quickly sort out the source of the problem, and Frank's comments didn't
> > bother me at all.
> > I'd also agree that installing the struts isn't rocket science.  In fact,
> > it's not even eighth grade earth science.  It would have been pretty
> trivial
> > if the instructions had been better.  And once I sorted out the problems
> in
> > the instructions, it was trivial to finish off the job.  As anyone who
> has
> > read my posts knows, I am zero as a mechanic, but it still was not hard
> to
> > install.
> >
> > But for those considering putting these on vans for folks with poor upper
> > body strength, you should definitely bear in mind the possible
> difficulties
> > closing the top - it takes a lot more strength than without the struts,
> even
> > with a kayak on the roof.
> >
> >
> >
> > Joy
> >
> >
> > Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 5:34 PM, Bill Glenn <idahobill@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> On Sat, 6 Sep 2008 06:39:51 EDT, Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> >In a message dated 05/09/2008 9:11:58 A.M. Central Standard Time,
> >> >LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
> >> >
> >> >        OK, gotta chime in here.  I have installed a few of these pop
> top
> >> >strut kits and have had absolutely no problems....geeze it's not rocket
> >> science !!!!....
> >>
> >> Frank,
> >> I agree that Mark is to be commended for putting together this kit to
> aid
> >> those in need of help with the lifting of the pop-top; I have a friend
> or
> >> two who could benefit from it.  I am glad that your level of experience
> >> allowed you to avoid the problem with the seemingly erroneous/confusing
> >> installation instructions that caused Joy difficulty.  She posted to the
> >> list to provide a heads-up to others about the problem, and to seek
> advice
> >> as to an appropriate remedey for the mistake that resulted.  She
> received a
> >> number of helpful replies; your "...geeze, it's not rocket science!!!!"
> >> comment was not one of them.
> >>
> >> You make your living working on cars, have obviously done so for years,
> and
> >> based on your postings to the list over the years, which are
> appreciated,
> >> it would seem you could do most anything related to automotive work
> without
> >> help from anyone.  I doubt you really have need of the List, other than
> for
> >> the plugging of your commercial offerings, which I, and surely others,
> do
> >> not mind, or at least tolerate, if only because you often take the time
> to
> >> share your knowledge as well.
> >>
> >> However, please be mindful that only a handful of the thousand members
> of
> >> the Vanagon List likely possess your level of expertise in automotive
> >> repair, and that the rest of the membership could benefit from some
> >> patience and tolerance on your part, as well as your expertise.  That
> fact
> >> that the subject of a posting may not be a problem for you, or that the
> >> subject was discussed at some point in the prior fourteen years of the
> >> Vanagon List, is likely irrevelant to most of the membership.  Members
> >> seeking knowledge should be accorded a polite and civil forum in which
> the
> >> free exchange of ideas and answers can occur; anything less hinders
> >> participation, which may deny to the membership the benefit of others'
> >> experience and knowledge, which is precisely the purpose of this forum.
> >>
> >> Bill
> >>
> >
>

--
http://www.dougalcock.com