Well it's been awhile since I posted here in this topic. The engine & syncro trans has been in the van for about 5k miles now. It's run flawlessly with zero problems other than a bad starter. This is how the engine sits today and I've had zero issue with the motor mounts. I will likely build a better set up, but likely not until next year when I do the front half of the syncro swap..
I've also been a bit busy doing other things to the van..
I randomly happened to find a beat to hell westy on craigslist which I picked up for $300. I had toyed with the idea of doing a pop top conversion, but figured it would be later down the road.
I cut the roof off the donor van and trimmed it to fit, so the new roof insert would fit on top of the tin top's roof with roughly a 1 inch over lap. This overlap was then glued in place using 3M body panel adhesive. The over lap is completely concealed by the aluminum stripping which holds the factory canvas in place. Meaning you really have to look hard to see it's not a factory roof line.
On the inner lip of the transplanted top, I re-welded all the spot welds in place. The entire process took me about 2 weeks but it was a lot of figuring things out as I went. If I did it again it would probably be a 2 or 3 day job.
Presto the top has been popped.. I bought a new canvas and all new rubber gasket set, but I'm waiting on a replacement skylight before I install it all. I'm now starting to work on the inside cabinets so the van becomes usable as a camper van.
I've also been a bit busy doing other things to the van..
I randomly happened to find a beat to hell westy on craigslist which I picked up for $300. I had toyed with the idea of doing a pop top conversion, but figured it would be later down the road.
I cut the roof off the donor van and trimmed it to fit, so the new roof insert would fit on top of the tin top's roof with roughly a 1 inch over lap. This overlap was then glued in place using 3M body panel adhesive. The over lap is completely concealed by the aluminum stripping which holds the factory canvas in place. Meaning you really have to look hard to see it's not a factory roof line.
On the inner lip of the transplanted top, I re-welded all the spot welds in place. The entire process took me about 2 weeks but it was a lot of figuring things out as I went. If I did it again it would probably be a 2 or 3 day job.
Presto the top has been popped.. I bought a new canvas and all new rubber gasket set, but I'm waiting on a replacement skylight before I install it all. I'm now starting to work on the inside cabinets so the van becomes usable as a camper van.
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