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High Top Removal
Posted: 11 Feb 2021, 13:51
by keynsham1
I have rusty gutters on my T25 Devon Eurovette high top. I have made an attempt at temporary repairs in the past but a better look is now needed. I know some welding will be needed too. My question is how much stripping really needs to be done to get the top off, or at least up and out of the way. It currently lives under a carport so I could lift it 6 inches or more and suspend it over the van.
Obviously the cupboards in the top need removing and the lining but is it really necessary to strip the whole inside out? All the links I can find here always do but are usually part of a major restoration and I don't plan on going that far as apart from the odd bit of seam gout, the van is in really good shape!
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 11 Feb 2021, 16:24
by keynsham1
I have decided to just go for it! I am presently trying to remove a twin side cupboard in the high top. One end was held with two nuts and bolts and the other by two very large rivets! I have so far pulled out a roof lining plywood panel and found some suspicious wiring under it. Old carpet came flying off the roof in clouds of dust! The cupboard is still fighting however and is clinging on via an attachment I have yet to identify. This is going to be fun! It is all original inside and I am pretty sure by what I have found so far that it is per factory fit at Devon. They are definitely a cottage industry installation. I remember someone told me once to be careful as all the electrics and gas stuff was fitted by a carpenter. I am beginning to think they were right!! I will add some photos as I go. I am sure someone might find them helpful and many others will find them amusing!!
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 11 Feb 2021, 17:10
by keynsham1
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 13 Feb 2021, 14:26
by keynsham1
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 13 Feb 2021, 18:45
by 1664
I didn't even know Devon did a fixed high top. One day you will look back and laugh at all this. Might not be for a while yet mind
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 13 Feb 2021, 18:55
by davidoft1
It could well be bonded on with resin , it’s pretty normal to be attached that way , usually a couple of inches deep all round, just be careful not to flex the roof when leveraging, it’s easy to crack
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 13 Feb 2021, 19:31
by maxstu
Not a job l'd care to do in this freezing weather. So easy to crack the fibreglass.
Perhaps warmer where you are. But in Margate the wind chill factor today hit -15c.
Lovely turquoise sea and best surfing conditions seen in years. Four very brave surfers too. Nutters!
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 20 Feb 2021, 12:18
by keynsham1
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 21 Feb 2021, 22:37
by RogerT
I’ve got one of those roofs too! Not the Eurovette high top, the grotty bit underneath
I’d wonder about your sills too though, but you may be luckier than me.
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 24 Feb 2021, 17:14
by keynsham1
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 24 Feb 2021, 17:26
by maxstu
Courageous stuff
Ive looked a front of my camper at the A pillars. I think there is a nasty surprise lurking beneath.
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 24 Feb 2021, 17:33
by keynsham1
I think you might be right!! I just got sick of patching up rust all the time, so as we are not going anywhere soon, I thought now is the time. As soon as we are allowed out and about, I want it to be ready to go!!
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 24 Feb 2021, 20:20
by RogerT
Removing and refitting the windscreen isn’t too tricky, but it’s a two person job. Instructions in the wiki I think. (
https://wiki.club8090.co.uk/index.php/M ... Windscreen )
New seal - go for vewib brand from
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/
Anything else is a false economy.
Well done though, great progress!
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 04 Mar 2021, 15:39
by keynsham1
Slowly but surely I am making progress. I have learnt a few things too
.
1. You cannot get all the rust out. I kind of knew this anyway but a certain amount of minor surface rust seems better treated that cutting out huge amounts of mostly good metal. The van is 34 years old after all.
2. Every job take a lot longer than you expect. I was told once to work out how long a job will take, then double it and expect to be late. Very true!!
3. Spotweld drills are only any good if you can first identify where the spotwelds actually are! I will leave you to ponder on that one!
Anyway I am almost at the point where I can start welding in the first repair section for the gutter. I have decided to start at the back where things are better and put the first piece in to give me a boost of enthusiasm which I will need to tackle the front corner!
And lastly a reminder of the front corner!
Re: High Top Removal
Posted: 06 Mar 2021, 18:35
by Autosleeper_rich
looking good! I would love a watertight van! my roof is like that underneath too but I lack the skills to get it done.
Awesome carport as well btw!
Rich