Westfalia roof clarification/differences

[richlaz]

I apologise, as I know this subject has been covered a few times, but I'm a bit confused

My T25 I believe is an early model - built in 1984, but registered in 1985. Signs also show that it is an early model such as the interior, the long sliding door handle etc.

With the Westfalia roofs, (please correct me if I'm wrong) I believe the early models canvas' were held in place by wooden strips, and the later models by aluminium strips.

Looking at how my canvas is attached, there are aluminium strips on top and bottom. No wood in sight (which contradicts the rest of the van). Unless it is indeed possible to have an early van with late roof??

Are there any other ways of confirming which type of roof it is? I just want to make sure I buy the right canvas Also, what are the actual differences between the two roofs/canvases?

Below are a few pics. First two are of the bottom of the canvas, from inside, just above sliding door. Third pic is looking up at the top of the canvas from outside.

Many thanks

[Pubert]

If I am not very much mistaken, you have the late style canvas fitment which requires screws to attach to the fibre glass roof. As opposed to the earlier ones which were stapled to a wooden frame work on the under side of the roof. As far as I am aware the fitment to the vans body stayed the same throughout, aluminium strips which clamp down the piping of the canvas using screws.

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to correct me..

[horizontal kipper]

The early canvas has a flexible plastic beading strip around the bottom of the canvas that traps under the aluminium fixing strip, the top has no beading strip and is stapled to the wood strips then a seperate plastic fixing strip is stapled on. The later one has the same plastic fixing beading strip using aluminium strips and screws to both top and bottom of the canvas. The front panel is also wider at the top on the later one. whatever you do stretch the new canvas first before fitting and measure it against your old one. Dont know what the new jk ones are like but i have fitted a few of the more expensive ones from cool-out to bays and wedges. Once fitted soak it with a hosepipe and leave the roof up to dry then use a proper waterproof like fabasil as the so called lotus water flower coating thats used on the cool out ones only shower proof, otherwise a nice canvas

Paul

[richlaz]

Thanks for the replies

Definitely looks like a late version then... now just to decide which canvas to buy...

[Ralf85]

Yep the same as mine which was registered in 1984 but also has the later 1986 type canvas fitting as listed on the Gunzl website, which is where I bought the replacement with three vents rather than the original single front vent.

[richlaz]

Yep the same as mine which was registered in 1984 but also has the later 1986 type canvas fitting as listed on the Gunzl website, which is where I bought the replacement with three vents rather than the original single front vent.

Would you recommend the canvas from Gunzl? Any issues with fitting (I don't really want to buy from JK after some fitting problems have been found).

Also, how much P&P do they charge, as these are quite heavy?

Many thanks, Richard

[Pubert]

Having just taken delivery of one from Gunzl I was astounded by how light the parcel was. Quality seems good, can't comment on fitment yet though. IIRC it was about 16 quid postage.

[Ralf85]

uote="richlaz"]

Yep the same as mine which was registered in 1984 but also has the later 1986 type canvas fitting as listed on the Gunzl website, which is where I bought the replacement with three vents rather than the original single front vent.

Would you recommend the canvas from Gunzl? Any issues with fitting (I don't really want to buy from JK after some fitting problems have been found).

Also, how much P&P do they charge, as these are quite heavy?

Many thanks, Richard[/quote]

I am really happy with the quality of the canvas and the zips are quality too. I think that the Gunzl ( priced in euros) is cheaper than the JK/VW Heritage options. Gunzl have them in two different colour options and the postage is about £15 I think. Check their website choose the English icon and take it to the checkout stage and you will see the total cost in euros (and you can pay using Paypal). I did not fit mine, but the guys who did said it was not a problem, but that all these canvases are all fiddly at the back of the van where height is limited.
Good luck.

[richlaz]

Thanks for the info Makes me feel a bit more confident about it

On a nice day (if we have one this year!) I plan to remove the fibreglass roof completely, give it a good scrub inside and out (the headlining has gone a bit mouldy, will be easier to clean if it's off the van), then fit a new canvas... shouldn't be too difficult with a couple of people and a step ladder