POP TOP TO HIGH TOP

[BALDY3260]

morning all, has anyone fitted factory high top to a pop top van, can anyone tell me how factory hightop fits to a van (same type as syncrosimons top) cheers baldy

[1664]

This is just a guess, but as it's factory fitted and (the high bit) runs the entire length of the van (not just between the 'B' and 'C' pillars like camper conversions) it must have the equivalent of the roof crossmembers at the 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' pillar locations so my money's on them having to be welded on to maintain the vehicles body strength.

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Fi ... sions9.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Actually, looking at that diagram, the strength might be provided by the ribs along the hightop - still be welded though I reckon.......

[BALDY3260]

thanks 1664, from what i have seen the factory high tops have a similar sized hole as pop tops with tin roof above the cab and rear section

[1664]

Oh

I could have sworn they ran the length of the vehicle; thought I peered inside a Holdsworth with that type of roof and it was high throughout....

now I'm confused

[1664]

Holdsworth 'Vision' in fact.

Pictures here http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/t3-ri ... 36043.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scroll down and you'll see a couple of the interior - yes there are cupboards, but there's no 'tin' under them and the high area extends beyond the 'B' and 'C' pillars so the high top must provide the strength still so welded IMHO

Actually, if you really look closely, you can just make out the crossmembers under the hightop carpet at the 'B' and 'C' locations.....

[BALDY3260]

me too thats why i thought i would ask on here, cos i was sure someone would have done it, seen it done

[Steve T]

I have a Holdsworth high top and confirm it is high full length, not sure of cross member positioning, or if it has any, would like to think that there is some sort of strengthening across the width, was about to go out and measure up for best position for a solar panel so will investigate presence with a magnet for any cross member and update

[BALDY3260]

ah yes, i see now, maybe the one i saw was a high top panel van, was sure it had normal cab roof above it so poptop would have less roof cut out making it stronger then would just have to find out how high top is fixed, luckily it's just a pipe dream at the moment, syncro multivan with poptop, remove poptop(and sell for £££'s) fit hightop and build dream camper

[Steve T]

Confirmed ! 2 cross members, A and C pillar, I have some pics that i will post up of an interior of a Holdsworth that has been stripped out, pictures sent by a member on 80-90, not sure if he is still around. Give me a few minutes to upload and link

[BALDY3260]

steve t, that would be grand, have seen this high top for sale, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170768953815? ... 3512wt_932" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but can't see how it would be fitted.

[Ian Hulley]

Most poptops leave the steelwork between the C post and the D pillar, some (like the Vision) have the roof cross-brace of the C pillar removed and all steelwork missing back to the rear roof cross member ... they have a steel box section welded in to recreate the rigidity.

Some (or all ?) of the Devon poptops have the single-skin section between the C post cross member and the rearmost support cut out and replaced by a sliding board.

Vestfailures have a different roof structure from the factory and shouldn't be taken as an example for fitting a hightop.

Ian

[Ian Hulley]

Confirmed ! 2 cross members, A

The 'A' pillar is the front post from which the cab doors are hinged, the 'B' post is behind the front seats, the 'C' post is at the back of the sliding door and the rearmost pillar is across the top of the back of the roof onto which the tailgate is hinged. A glance in an empty panel van will reveal these instantly, the single skinned roof panels in between are not structural.

Ian

[Steve T]

Picture showing the 2 cross members

close up of cross member connection to body / pillar

[BALDY3260]

thanks all for all the info, may just leave it as a poptop then, if if ever happens

[Steve T]

Baldy

Looks like a Holdsworth roof IMHO on the Ebay link, Ian Hulley corrected my typo, B & C pillar cross member connection (Not A & C as I said ) Looks like where the cross member is bolted to (pic 2) is either a welded part to body / pillar where the original cross member was connected pre conversion. If bidding get some pics of the cross members to