Page 1 of 1
New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 06:27
by windydubber
Hi all,
This is Bob! As you can see Bob has an Autohomes elevating roof at the moment. Although its watertight its a bit shabby and we have decided it will need replacing. So my questions are, how easy will it be to replace? What should I replace it with? We like the idea of a Westfalia Pop top but not sure how we would get hold of one so any info would be great!
I should say we would consider anything of the pop variety but not a high top!
Cheers

Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 08:24
by LeeME3
I fitted a Westy pop top to my tintop...hang on I'll see if I find the link...
ETA: here you go
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 4#p8012444" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 08:59
by windydubber
Looks good. Thanks. I think this may be the route we take!
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 10:24
by LeeME3
Well both vans are '808' (although mine is not called Bob!) so they may as well have the same roof!
I did struggle to find a decent Westy roof and they're not cheap. There is a company sells them new (well, a copy) for about £1500 which are good quality. I got mine via a FB ad in the end for approx half that. The big thing to note is that a factory fitted Westy has a huge hole (in essence most of the rear section) whereas an after-fit of a Westy roof generally cuts a much smaller hole between the roof ribs. In fact there was an after-fit kit produced my Westy themselves called a 'Mosaik' which there is info on if you google it. Obviously you already have a hole so provided that fits within the Westy foot print and you still have sufficient original roof at the rear for the hinges you should be ok. I do still need to re-inforce just below where the lower section of the latch mounts and also under the lower 'H' bar mount but am in the process of making dual purpose bulkhead / overhead cupboard that will do the trick.
You also need to think about what bed arrangement (if any) you want up there. I use the rear original roof that is still in place as the support for the back 2/3 of a Westy bed and just made up a board that I put in when necessary for the rest of it - still leaves me headroom over the sink / cooker. Happy to get more pics if you need or of course you're welcome to look at the van. I regularly travel between Lincoln and Gatwick and attend a lot of shows so should be easy to arrange.
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 10:49
by windydubber
Hi, that's some great info!! You are right I already have a hole so just need something that fits over. We aren't that bothered about the bed arrangement as we only use it for headroom and storage.
Maybe when we are next away I will drop you a line and see if your about and pop over to have a look! Thanks for the offer.
Cheers
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 12:11
by LeeME3
I'm actually camping with my bro this weekend who has an autohomes so I'll do a quick comparison of our respective holes (errr....!)
BTW however shabby your roof it still has value - autohomes roof is sought after.
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 13:06
by windydubber
Cool. It's a bit of a wierd roof as its slightly raised! Anyway, I'm sure you'll get the gist when you take a closer look at his opening! Oo er missus!!
I did wonder if I could get something for mine. Be good to help pay for the new roof!!
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 13:13
by LeeME3
windydubber wrote:
I did wonder if I could get something for mine. Be good to help pay for the new roof!!
Try an advert on here. The panels can be cleaned up / repsrayed and the mechanism is definitely in demand. The windows are often in demand as well.
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 13:19
by windydubber
Nice one!
When I get to the point of getting the new roof I'll bang an ad straight up!!
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 13:20
by LeeME3
Might be worth a wanted ad as well for the 'new' roof
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 05 Aug 2015, 13:34
by windydubber
Good shout!
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 08 Aug 2015, 20:48
by Beeky
Hi fellas,
Turns out I need to do exactly the same as Windy for the same reasons. I have the same existing roof too, with the additional roof section above the gutters, then the pop up roof section on top (this is the ropey bit). Yours looks good Lee, I'm in Sutton so close to Gatwick, would love to see what you've done. Did you have that extra bit of roof (about 8" high) originally?
Cheers,
John.
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 11 Aug 2015, 12:16
by LeeME3
John I've got the van down here (Burgess Hill) for the next couple weeks, you're welcome to come take a look.
Re: New roof ideas
Posted: 11 Aug 2015, 20:49
by Beeky
Hi Lee,
That's great, cheers.
I'll pm you my number and pop over later this week if that's ok.
Cheers
John.
