Is it wrong to go pop top?

[ropeman23]

I have a factory sunroof and I've just bought a westy pop top. Is fitting it sacralidge, or just pure genius?..... Anyone else been through this dilemma?

[billybigspud]

go pop. It is lovely being able to stand up straight.

[Nij]

Why he said lol.

You bought it, might as well use it.
My hightop has a sunroof also (most useless thing in the world like)

[ropeman23]

go pop. It is lovely being able to stand up straight.

I can stand already, I just get wet when it rains

[nevill3]

Could you not fit the Westy roof whilst keeping the sunroof in place and use the sunroof as a "blind" that covers the traditional opening of the Westy roof?

Also could you tell me how high the Westy roof is, I have a separate thread on here asking for different pop top heights so I can buy one to replace the small "Chimney" pop top I have at the moment.

[ropeman23]

Could you not fit the Westy roof whilst keeping the sunroof in place and use the sunroof as a "blind" that covers the traditional opening of the Westy roof?

Also could you tell me how high the Westy roof is, I have a separate thread on here asking for different pop top heights so I can buy one to replace the small "Chimney" pop top I have at the moment.

That's the plan. The sunroof forms the opening for the pop top which I think is about the same size hole that you get in a westy. I'm hoping once fitted I'll still be able to shut the sunroof for extra heat in the winter.

What measurement do you want, from the gutter line to the top of the roof when closed?

[nevill3]

That,s the measurement I am after for anyone that actually got a roof fitted but if yours is still off the van a measurement of the thickness/height would do. I have limited headroom in my garage and I am making plans to buy a new pop top and need to ensure that the van will still fit in.

Nev

[Ian Hulley]

The Westfailure steel roof panel is different to the standard T25 tintop roof so you Westy poptop may not fit.

Ian

[lhd]

Mr Hulley is quite correct and sadly theres no may in it.
It can be made to fit, the proper way is to get the steel roof,drill out all the spot welds and weld the roof pressing in place.
Otherwise you have to bodge it.

As you can see in the pics below there is a flat recess, that the frame and the bed boards fit into. without this you have a flat bed on an arched roof.



Hope this helps?
If not it will at least give you food for thought.
iirc Lance on here was doing a fibre glass piece that molded to the roof arch giving you a flat surface to place your bed on.
It can be done DIY, but it will look very unsightly to say the least.
Rob.

[ropeman23]

Thanks lhd, this is just the sort of info I'm after. The photos you've posted of the flat recess look very similar to where the track fits on my factory sunroof, I'll post some photos tomorrow. I was thinking of using that to mount the bed on.

What's the roof like to the rear on a Westy (lowest part of the pop top). I presume that is arched like a tin top and the flat fibreglass panel I have with an arch on the back is to make that part flat?? Cheers

[lhd]

There is a slight recess on the roof for the brackets but it is slight, you may get away with it, although there is internal strengthening for the captive nuts.





The recess for the bed goes all the way to the rear of the van, if your going to Busfest your welcome to come and take a look.
Rob.

[ropeman23]

Damn! Why did I think this was going to be a relatively easy project... I'm not planning on going to Busfest, but looking at your pics and seeing as you seem so helpful I might have too

What's the third piece of fibreglass I have?? I've got the main roof (pop top) the front section (roof rack) and a piece of fiberglass that's flat one side and curved on the other with ribbed recesses, about the size of the roof section behind my sunroof (maybe a bit smaller). The recesses in it are narrower though than the raised ribs on my roof.

I reckon I can fabricate some brackets for the strength and captive nuts for the rear hinges, but I'm a bit worried that if the hinge sits a slightly higher on my roof, then the top may not sit / seal properly..... Hmmmm

[lhd]

Is it an original westy roof?
Sounds like you have the piece I was on about, it sits on the curved roof providing you with a flat profile for the bed.
Rob.

[ropeman23]

Is it an original westy roof?
Sounds like you have the piece I was on about, it sits on the curved roof providing you with a flat profile for the bed.
Rob.

That would be good. Yes it's an original roof.... Well I think it is, it looks old enough. How can I tell. All the fittings look right and it has the opening vent.
Phil

[lhd]

I have only seen one copy of a Westy roof and you could tell straight away that it was a copy, is it flocked on the inside?
Did you get the aluminium strips with it for the canvas?
If your not sure it probably is an original roof.
Rob.