TECH.ADVICE TO FIT A HIGH TOP

[jake1953]

Have any of you fine people fitted a high top to a panel van ?
If you can spare the time could you p.m. me with tips/do's/don'ts.
I'm fairly competant at diy but need guidance so that I can mull it over before I decide to
do it or pass it on to the professionals
Thanks

[scoobydrew]

Hi Jake, we fitted one to our first van,just take your time and use plenty of tiger seal,it can be got from most caravan shops i've got some pics somewhere will see if i can find them for you.It will take two people to fit it and make shaw its sitting in the gutters of the van,you do need to cut the hole first so measure twice cut once as they say on here.Others will be along to give you some tips awell, goodluck

wendy(mrsscoobydrew)

[jake1953]

Thanks Wendy. Pics would be great if you can find them. Ref cutting the roof, is it a straightforward job of cutting neat to the roof crossmembers ie the one behind the cab and at the rear of the sliding door ? Also when fixing the hightop, apart from sealant are there no bolts? Is the weight of the roof sufficient just to "glue" it into place? And what do you use to finish off the cut edges of the roof?
Lots of questions but best to be prepared.
Jake

[scoobydrew]

Yes, cut between the strenghers and no no bolts just glue its dam strong stuff, from what i can remember we put a beed of glue and run a finger round the edge to seal it from the weather. do you mean the inside cut edges? you can get fiberglass trim to go around the inside edge also it do you only want to cut the middle bit out or the back aswell.we just cut the middle with a jigsaw,it was easie.

wendy

[scoobydrew]

What roof have you got, if you look on the gallery and go to splashbounre05 the 4th pic down was our van with the roof fitted.

[jake1953]

Thanks again Wendy & Andy.
Yours was the blue one at splashbourne?-looks cool
Haven't bought the roof yet, still looking. I assumed I could only cut the middle section out. as I haven't seen
any with the rear section out. Wouldn't you bang your head on the central roof crossmember or is that "allowed"
to be removed without de-strengthening of the body?

[hobopatch]

Hi I put a post on the tech fourm on 19th august "Cutting the roof more space" and lloyd told me that you can go back to the hatch as thay do with some of the vans, Have a look and see what he said. As i'm going to cut more out of mine to give us more room. Hope this help's. Hobopatch.