New Compact Jr. Owner

[Tim 972]

Hello,

I just purchased a 1972 compact jr. that was in dire need of rescue. I will be stating to strip this thing out today and will be looking for support on the restore process.

Thanks in advance to all who has contributed to this forum with ideas and past experience.

[Tim 972]

sorry for the photo orientation. how do i rotate the photos?

[Ken C]

Oh no biggie, thanks for sharing your photos Tim. MS paint if you use windows can do that.

[Frederick L. Simson]

I fixed them.

Originally Posted by Tim 972

I will be stating to strip this thing out today and will be looking for support on the restore process.

I am also in the process of restoring a Compact Jr.

Is the aluminum frame for the front window still there?

[Robin G]

Originally Posted by Tim 972

Hello,

I just purchased a 1972 compact jr. that was in dire need of rescue. .

Thank you for rescueing it! Wowser, you have a project on your hands, but it will be so worth it when your done! Congrat's on your project....... Have fun with it and please post pic's along the journey to cool lil trailer!

[Tim 972]

Yes it's gonna be quite a project, but I think it'll be fun.

No the front window frame is gone along with the pop top lifts and canvas, any ideas or sugestion where to locate some of the missing parts would be greatly appreciated!

I can do a DIY canvas but open on how to lift the top.

[Jayfor]

Hi Tim,
Great find!
How about older VW Westfalia full top hardware? Maybe ilives and Cindy could help on net sites for parts. Just a thought. Keith

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Tim 972

No the front window frame is gone along with the pop top lifts and canvas,

The top lift hardware is just a bunch of flat-ish pieces of metal (with a small curve along the long edge) and bolts with Nylock nuts for the metal pieces to pivot around. It relys on the tension of the fabric to hold the thing up straight, so the fabric has to stretch tight when the top is raised, or it will be wobbly.

I have mine disassembled and in storage right now. I can get some pics of the individual parts and how they assemble; you'll have to fabricate yours from scratch... unless you can find a junk VW Westfalia and appropriate its lift mechanism.

Since the original window was solid non-opening glass, I would be tempted to patch radius corners into the opening and install a piece of Lexan or Plexiglas with a rubber lock-strip like a Scamp or Boler...

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rip-50965.html

[Donna D.]

Poor thing. Tim it was nice of you to rescue it. And now we have another fun rebuild to follow! Best of luck on the decisions you make. In the long run, you'll have fun in the build and even more fun when you get it out camping.

[Tim 972]

Thanks all I will start a new threat for the restore process

Frederick if you could take some pictures of the lift hardware that would be a great help, thanks again!

[Bob Miller]

Did you try the Sportsmobile website for top lift hardware. They are still doing conversions and may have just what you need in their parts bin. But it won't be cheap....

[Deb & Chuck]

I rebuilt a 1971 Compact Jr. My trailers interior wood was all rotten even the wood inside around the windows. When you remove the flooring check the plywood floor. It might need to be replaced. I removed all the cabinet frames and the bed frames. It took me a year to complete. I also painted the outside with a roll on marine paint.
Our top had the hardware. A friend made the canvas but our top had a bow in it so we had to add more material to attach it.
Chuck

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Tim 972

Frederick if you could take some pictures of the lift hardware that would be a great help, thanks again!

These are photos of an individual lift mechanism.
There are 4 of these mechanisms; 2 for each side, 1 front and 1 back.
First up is the complete lift assembly.

Closed; Roof Down

Half Way

Open; Roof Up

Plus there are 2 latches near the front lifts, one on each side, to hold the roof closed in transit.

one latch assembly

[Frederick L. Simson]

I took the pieces apart to show more detail.

"Exploded View", Half way position

The bottom piece is a Drawer Glide, like for a kitchen cabinet. There are 2 pairs of glides.
It attaches to the lip around the body's opening.
It's 23 inches long and about 1-1/4 inch high

The center arm has opposing curves on both long sides. Each end is cut and drilled to match.
One way is for the left side, and flip it over for the right side.


The angle connects to the roof section. The single bottom bolt attaches to the center arm. The 2 top bolts attach through holes in the roof. They are a common leak point.
It's actually 6 inches long by about 1-1/4 inch

[Tim 972]

Frederick thanks for such detail, this will help out tremendously. How does the top lock in the upright position? I was thinking of using a jackknife type lift on each corner, but after seeing the parts breakdown this should be fairly easy to reproduce.

Chuck I have started a frame off restoration, two days into it I have fully gutted it and have the body and frame separated . Hope it doesn't take me a year! Hoping for more like a month. The PO painted the outside with exterior latex paint so my wife is cussing the paint stripping process so a month may be pushing but here goes.

[Bob Miller]

Fiberglass usually resists almost any chemicals you can throw at it. I suggest trying to find the nastiest paint stripper on the planet and, after trying it on a sample area, go with that. I have used some that lifts latex so totally that you can hose off the goopy mess after it cooks for about 15 minutes. But.... ya gotta be sure you get it all off, especially around the windows and in cracks and crevices.
BTW: A frame off restoraion in a month??? You must have a big crew, a fully equipped shop and a very understanding wife. What did you have to promise her???

[Tim 972]

No crew just my wife and I and our son for the welding. I have restored several boats so hopefully not a huge leaning curve. And yes I had to promise we return to Cozumel this summer so it's up to her to kick me in the rear when I slow down.

[Donna D.]

Tim, you may be interested in this stuff... I have no personal knowledge of the application, but it does say it's a paint remover for FIBERGLASS it appears it's used on fiberglass boats.

[Bob Miller]

Ha... I knew there was a catch, a trip to Cozumel....
BTW: You might want to think about a new axle with brakes on it while you have everything apart. A straight axle will also give you some much needed ground clearance as well as allow for bigger wheels and tires.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Tim 972

How does the top lock in the upright position? I was thinking of using a jackknife type lift on each corner, but after seeing the parts breakdown this should be fairly easy to reproduce.

It doesn't. There is no "locking" mechanism. The stand-up piece with the opposing curved long edges has the ends cut in a specific way to support the top in the upright position, and the tension of the canvas sides installed to be taught when upright is all that holds it up.

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

The top lift hardware is just a bunch of flat-ish pieces of metal (with a small curve along the long edge) and bolts with Nylock nuts for the metal pieces to pivot around. It relies on the tension of the fabric to hold the thing up straight, so the fabric has to stretch tight when the top is raised, or it will be wobbly.

I think there might be something in the document center with instructions for a modification to add a removable pin to lock it when upright.