Hi top off....

[B.A Eauty]

Any one taken a hi top off and replaced it with a pop top, i am wanting to do this and need an idea of what is involved, thanks.

[1664]

what conversion/roof?

[B.A Eauty]

It's an autohomes Komet,

[1664]

Oh. One of the nicest high top designs around but infortunately one of the most difficult to remove as it's double skinned; the first being the woodwork/trim of the interior and the second the outer fibreglass section. I say it's difficult to remove but that's only applicable if you want to leave it in good enough shape to go back on.
The high top 'interior' is assembled on the van prior to the fibreglass top going on so you cannot access the high top to van sealant from the interior so you have to separate the two from the outside.





more here https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=83525" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[B.A Eauty]

Soz for the late reply, 1664 but thanks for that, when it comes off it's staying off... just need to find a replacement, any ideas?

[1664]

well there's several different types out there, but if I was swapping to a pop top i'd try and get my hands on a Viking Spacemaker roof as fitted to the 'Xplorer' conversions. It's a heavy roof but you won't find a more spacious one. Downside is they don't come up very often and and good examples are rare as they're getting on a bit now. If you want new rather than second hand then there are several options out there - I believe 'Lance' on here supplies the westy style pop top that lifts from the front rather than the side of the van.

[B.A Eauty]

Thanks, was thinking of one that has a bit of a plinth like the Autohomes kamper type or a Devon, not the side opening one as we need the awning rail fitting.

[lefty67]

fair bit of joinery in that high top, must weigh a fair bit.
I like the holdsworth giant riser pop tops, maybe because thats what ive got.

[B.A Eauty]

Lefty, do you have a pic i can have a look at? yep theres alot of wood in them Autohomes hi top, all around the windows is rotten,

[1664]

all around the windows is rotten,

Seems to be a potential Achillies Heel in an otherwise excellent roof. I think the fibreglass to wood seal behind the window rubbers separates if the front roof is stood on repeatedly (not the roof rack bit at the back) allowing water in; expect the van roof metalwork to be rotten above the gutters then. I'd post pictures but there's no point frightening you.....

[B.A Eauty]

I have a fair inkling that it's where my passenger footwell water feature is coming in, i know the mantra is the window seal but it's a proper one, so suspect it's as you say, fun and games...

[1664]

I have a fair inkling that it's where my passenger footwell water feature is coming in

Yes I had that. It was dripping off the passenger side grab handle so had found it's way into the inner skin

[keith]

Never knew the roofs were constructed like that...

[1664]

Most aren't. I believe it's the same method used to construct caravans and motorhomes. Autohomes was an off shoot of CI which was a caravan manufacturer I think (Caravans International).

[lefty67]

Lefty, do you have a pic i can have a look at? yep theres alot of wood in them Autohomes hi top, all around the windows is rotten,

will try and take a photo tommorrow and post it up