Fitting a pop top in place of a high top

[meggles]

I'm just toying with the idea of replacing my hitop roof with a poptop, once I have it on the road. I've fitted a hitop to a tintop before with help and advice from you good folk. The hitop I have at the moment is far too big so it will eventually be coming off anyway. Has anybody done this before and if so was it very difficult? Any useful tips? What was the approximate cost? Thanks in advance for any replies and/or links. I have looked on WIKI but couldn't find a link to anything.
MODS: Sorry if this is in the wrong place.

[Ianinpoole]

Hi
I've also been looking at this option, as mine is also very high, this became an issue in France, when forced to take the motor way the new auto toll booths think your an 18wheeler, charge you so and discharge the ticket 10 ft off the ground ...LOL !!
When stood inside I have about 12" head clearance.......I'm 6ft 2" !!
I am starting to think though that it's a bigger project, as it might require roof cuts, depending on what is left of the original.
Will,also be interested in any advice/thoughts/warnings of stupidity etc

[meggles]

I'm thinking it's not going to need roof cuts. The thing I think may be difficult is the fastening down of the frame part. My son is a joiner so making up the bed boards etc should be ok.

[Bucketbabe]

Fabzzz did it fairly recently.
Try the syncro page, there's a link to his build thread on there.
Good luck

[meggles]

Fabzzz did it fairly recently.
Try the syncro page, there's a link to his build thread on there.
Good luck

Thanks for that, I'll have a look.

[tforturton]

If I remember correctly, Fabzz cut the whole roof off, then welded the replacement one on in it's place. He makes it sound easy, but I bet it wasn't. If you don't fancy doing it yourself, try calling Ady Joad at Boxwagen in Bournemouth (they're on the web). He's done a lot of roof swaps for owners on here (me included), and has a great reputation.

[meggles]

Bournemouth's a long way from York sadly. I am going to be making a firm decision re the top soon.

[tforturton]

You need to look at what remains of the roof under the hi-top, and what state it is in. There have been some horror stories on here, where people have removed their hi-top to find the metal (where it was supposed to be attached) has all but disappeared. Most pop-tops only have a hole (in the metal roof) in the middle section - the remainder is left in place. You need a big chunk of roof at the back - to attach the hinges to, a big chunk at the front - where the luggage tray sits, and a fair piece around the sides of the middle section - to take the H frame for the pop-top. If you've got all that, then you may (MAY) be okay. If not, then your only option is to cut it off at the gutter, and graft on a replacement. If that's the way you decide to go, sending it somewhere on the back of a truck might be the best plan.
Sounds like you may be better off selling what you have and finding a new bus...

[meggles]

If I decide to do it and the roof is rotten I'll be getting a replacement roof and getting my welding gear out and doing the job myself. (Well, my son and I will anyway). Should be an interesting project.

[Sir Brixalot]

Has anyone had this done and know the price? I've got attached to my van but I know it's getting small up top for the kids. I've been told it's easier to buy another but I've done so much mechanically that it's finally pretty much sorted and I don't want to go through it all again.

[oldandgrumpy]

Hi. I have just done this. When I took the high top off the steel roof had completely rusted so had to be replaced with a second hand one I found on Ebay for £100.
It had been carefully removed by drilling the spot welds around the perimeter. There was even what looked like a factory cut hole in the roof with lips around which was only one inch different from the one that had been cut in the original roof. Welded the holes up and welded the rear cuts. Sealed and filled nicely. Bought a second hand Devon side elevating roof for £350 and needed new set of gas struts £90. The fibreglass frame was secured to the steel roof with industrial rivets and sealed. New stainless steel fasteners and good as new. Fair bit of work but improves the aerodynamics and looks better.

[oldandgrumpy]

[oldandgrumpy]

[oldandgrumpy]

[oldandgrumpy]

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