Pumpkin the 1977 Westy

wwebner · Post by **wwebner** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:30 pm

Been running Prrtronix module in stock soda in my bus as long as I can remember.

TRL · Post by **TRL** » Tue May 13, 2025 2:14 pm

More updates. Took the bus camping a few weeks ago. The LED headlights were quite nice to have in a dark rainstorm. But, onto work.

Got the bus into my workshop area and started to work on the pop top restoration. I purchased a canvas, seals, pop-top lift assist kit, and stainless hardware and etc… from gowesty.com

I started by installing the pop-top lift assist kit first. If any mistakes are made I could fix them later. Pretty easy install… The lift pistons use one of the bolts that hold the rear top hinge. Then the top of the pistons require drilling holes through the wood and fiberglass of the pop. I pulled out an angle finder to keep the drill at the same angle of poptop and make a nice straight hole.

I’m happy with the results, the top is much easier to lift. Pulling the top off in the coming days for sanding and painting.

Marla · Post by **Marla** » Wed Jun 04, 2025 11:39 am

Looking good Rick!

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Jun 06, 2025 8:42 pm

I like that drill/angle finder trick, thanks for sharing!

TRL · Post by **TRL** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 6:55 pm

Sanding, sanding, sanding. Mixing up a bit of filler. Then more sanding.

Not unlike a boat. The fiberglass pop top has a gel coat. The top layer of gel coat is dead and beat. A few round of sanding up to 220 grit to get down a nice clean layer of gel coat. There are a few cracks in the gel coat. I got out a small die grinder and opened the cracks up a bit to allow the fiberglass filler to stick. Finally ready to paint.

TRL · Post by **TRL** » Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:50 pm

Finally wrapped this pop top project up! This was alot of work… a big Thank you to Chuck-hole for some painting support. And thanks to Bill Webner for some insider info too. I bought Pettit brand fiberglass primer and paint for this project from a boat store. Rolled on the sandable primer and sanded smooth. The primer really soaked in and 2 good coats were needed. Top coats were sprayed on with Chuck’s help.

Then the reassembly started. The canvas replacement went 1/2 right and 1/2 wrong. New canvas matched up nicely to old. I stapled in the new canvas in the same spots as the old one was. But, I didn't take into account that the old canvas was stretchy cotton and then new canvas was a stronger stiffer synthetic material. So I ended up having to pull staples towards the short sided rear and give myself every millimeter of fabric at the bottom.

I still need to put the westy decals on but overall I’m happy.

Many many hours…
And many beers…

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Jul 04, 2025 6:25 am

Awesome job Rick, looks great!!

Marla · Post by **Marla** » Sat Jul 05, 2025 9:21 am

This looks great Rick. Worth the effort for sure!

TRL · Post by **TRL** » Mon Jul 07, 2025 1:09 pm

One of the next project in the pipeline is reinstalling a stock exhaust and hooking the heat back up. Currently there are some possibly custom made heater box delete pipes. A local $2 bill wielding friend had some correct N/A Late bay exhaust parts. I have been sandblasting and painting them up. I also ordered some gaskets and a few other things from Leakoil member Mick at Crooked River Auto Parts. Give Mick a call for parts. He has great prices and was able to track down a few odd ball parts for me.