Roof swap bit of a strange question

[armyphil]

I currently have an ambulance roof on my van, all the roof section gas been cut away with some strengthening beams added in place.
If I were to fit a high top with a bed up there would I need to re add some of the panelling to the roof or could I just reattach it without any work??

Bit of a strange question just picking brains at the moment?

Thanks in advance

phil

[jamesc76]

Whats the current roof made from??? If its steel it might need some more strength added if its fibreglass I'd say just go for it !

[armyphil]

Yes mate it's a fibreglass ambulance roof. So you think it will be sound having no steel panels left in the roof.
I was thinking about access, the weight of the bed that kind of thing??

[jamesc76]

If you were to make a bed up there with some anlge iron across the front should be fine for kids?

[toolsntat]

Phil, are you thinking of putting the high top onto the high top ambulance roof, so creating a "high top high top"

Would be a novel idea but not for the feint hearted in a side wind

Have often thought there could be scope for a pop top on a high top

Andy

[armyphil]

Phil, are you thinking of putting the high top onto the high top ambulance roof, so creating a "high top high top"

Would be a novel idea but not for the feint hearted in a side wind

Have often thought there could be scope for a pop top on a high top

Andy

no mate but I like the idea.

At the moment it's an ambi roof swapping for a high top westy (it's complete so a bed the cupboards etc)

my van does not have a metal roof at all just a hole that stretches from thr windscreen to the tailgate, I believe normally there is a hole cut into the roof for access into a high top leaving the usual panel above the drive passenger seats and the rear section of the roof.
Do they have any load bearing for a normal high top (not ambulance) or will I have to weld those sections back in ?

It's hard to explain this

[armyphil]

does this pic make it easier??

[happy camper]

Who's gonna be sleeping up there if its a kid then get a lill ole cab bunk and save yourself a load of hassle

[armyphil]

Yeah we've got one of those but also an 8 month old and he can't stay in bed with us forever so a "proper" high top is needed unfortunatly

[happy camper]

Yeah we've got one of those but also an 8 month old and he can't stay in bed with us forever so a "proper" high top is needed unfortunatly

Get an awning for the wife to sleep in

[rainman]

mine has two 'beams' (for want of a better word) going across unnder the tin roof. The access, as you say, is through a hole cut between these beams, so no strengthening required. If yours has been strengthened to compensate for the chopped 'beams' then it shouldn't matter what roof you replace it with.

I too have been thinking about a pop-high-top, it's the future.

[happy camper]

I too have been thinking about a pop-high-top, it's the future.

Till it gets windy one night and you wake up with your face pressed to the side glass

[armyphil]

mine has two 'beams' (for want of a better word) going across unnder the tin roof. The access, as you say, is through a hole cut between these beams, so no strengthening required. If yours has been strengthened to compensate for the chopped 'beams' then it shouldn't matter what roof you replace it with.

I too have been thinking about a pop-high-top, it's the future.

that's that then sorted thank you I might as well go for it.

Next question anybody want to buy an ambulance roof

[happy camper]

mine has two 'beams' (for want of a better word) going across unnder the tin roof. The access, as you say, is through a hole cut between these beams, so no strengthening required. If yours has been strengthened to compensate for the chopped 'beams' then it shouldn't matter what roof you replace it with.

I too have been thinking about a pop-high-top, it's the future.

that's that then sorted thank you I might as well go for it.

Next question anybody want to buy an ambulance roof

You should really keep it turn it upside down and use it as a canoe just don't fake your own death with it as you will get found out

[scoobydrew]

Phil,
If you get the hightop with the metal roof still attached (if you no what I mean) you can always take the strenghting bars and put them in yours if needed.
The westy had a factory cut hole that went from behind the front seats to the rear of the van, 2/3 rds of the roof.

Andy