Switching a high top to a pop-top van possible?

[NoGearNoIdea]

Hi, Im looking at buying a van tempted to go for a camper instead of a panel or caravelle however I don't want a high top. 
Since high tops are significantly cheaper then pop tops (at least that's what i gather from marketplace) is it possible to chop off a high top and install a pop-top?

The only reason Id be doing this is I don't want a high top as its going to be my only car, oh and I think they look "pooh" compared to the other vans, or am I better off getting a standard tin top van (panel or caravel?) then getting the hacksaw out?
I have no doubt that i'm not the first asking this so surely someone must have some experience with it??

[davidoft1]

Yes , it’s about the difference in cost between a high top and pop top plus another 25-250% of the difference

[Stesaw]

I've toyed with the idea of swapping to a high top from a side elevating roof. I do like the look of the factory hightops that I think the houldsworth hightops. are similar to.

[AngeloEvs]

Spaceroofs  manufacture and supply elevating roofs for DIY or can fit or convert hi-Top to Pop Top but it is expensive (examples on Facebook). You may find a second hand Pop Top at a much lower cost. Bear in mind that though removing a hi top is fairly straightforward  very often the roof will need attention due to corrosion which can only be seen once the roof has been removed.

You are better off buying a Pop Top if that is what you really want.   I posted a similar question on this post -

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=175033&p=8295418#p8295418

[ZsZ]

It can be done but it depends on the install. Like westfalia and factry hightops have a different roof section, you need to change a lot.
It is easier to do on an aftermarket top, however the costs may be over the difference of the poptop/hightop sale prices.

[clift_d]

One gotcha you need to be aware of with hightops is that they often have quite a bit of roof corrosion above the gutter, hidden behind the bottom edge of the fibreglass, where condensation has collected inside over the years. Depending on when catch you this, it can be anything from a repair job to a roof cut replacement, and may be one of the factors that makes hightops appear cheaper, but it's an extra cost that you should allow for if you're keeping the van for any period.

[keynsham1]

Rust like this!!!

[NoGearNoIdea]

Rust like this!!!

Ah that’s probably a bit to rust for me to handle right now, tight (ish) budgets and only car don’t exactly like the idea of rust. Maybe Ill have to wait until I can afford to buy one as a second vehicle to convert.

Spaceroofs manufacture and supply elevating roofs

You are better off buying a Pop Top if that is what you really want. I posted a similar question on this post -

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=175033&p=8295418#p8295418

thanks that was useful to read, the spaceroofs look like an ideal option to go for, have you got any experience fitting them?
I feel like I could probably fit one quite well but since its such a significant item id be tempted to get a garage to do it for me.

[NoGearNoIdea]

It can be done but it depends on the install. Like westfalia and factry hightops have a different roof section, you need to change a lot.
It is easier to do on an aftermarket top, however the costs may be over the difference of the poptop/hightop sale prices.

Is there a large selection of aftermarket ones, I like the Westfalia look but not sure how good they actually are.

[AngeloEvs]

If you look on the Spaceroof Website they list garages that have carried out fitting their product.   I contacted one on their list  that is just a few miles from me but they declined to do it for a T25 as they are T2 Specialists.   With the Hi Top removed on my van (Autohomes Karisma) , the hole cutout was within the specified maximum for their Pop Top so fitting would have been fairly straight forward. 

 

 

[ZsZ]

It can be done but it depends on the install. Like westfalia and factry hightops have a different roof section, you need to change a lot.
It is easier to do on an aftermarket top, however the costs may be over the difference of the poptop/hightop sale prices.

Is there a large selection of aftermarket ones, I like the Westfalia look but not sure how good they actually are.

Most of these aftermarket poptop roofs are designed to be put on a tintop. You may need to replace/repair the roof skin and roof strenghtenings on a hightop van to be able to put the poptop on. That will add costs to the price of the top itself.
 

[NoGearNoIdea]

Most of these aftermarket poptop roofs are designed to be put on a tintop. You may need to replace/repair the roof skin and roof strenghtenings on a hightop van to be able to put the poptop on. That will add costs to the price of the top itself.

Ah I see, surely high tops are just a tin top with a hole cut in the middle are they not?
I’m just not sure about the idea of sacrificing a tin top to create a pop top. People get anxious enough, if you mention a panel van thinking you’ll cut windows in it, for seemingly no reason. Unless I’m simply creating the idea in my head that tin tops are super rare and actually if I cut one open it isn’t a big deal.

[NoGearNoIdea]

If you look on the Spaceroof Website they list garages that have carried out fitting their product.   I contacted one on their list  that is just a few miles from me but they declined to do it for a T25 as they are T2 Specialists.   With the Hi Top removed on my van (Autohomes Karisma) , the hole cutout was within the specified maximum for their Pop Top so fitting would have been fairly straight forward. 

Did you ever get a quote for the price of fitting a pop top to your van from a garage?

[ZsZ]

Most of these aftermarket poptop roofs are designed to be put on a tintop. You may need to replace/repair the roof skin and roof strenghtenings on a hightop van to be able to put the poptop on. That will add costs to the price of the top itself.

Ah I see, surely high tops are just a tin top with a hole cut in the middle are they not?
I’m just not sure about the idea of sacrificing a tin top to create a pop top. People get anxious enough, if you mention a panel van thinking you’ll cut windows in it, for seemingly no reason. Unless I’m simply creating the idea in my head that tin tops are super rare and actually if I cut one open it isn’t a big deal.

About rarity I am not familiar with the UK market. In general a tintop van is a most common type of van
Most of the aftermarket hightops are a tintop with a hole cut to the metal roof and the GRP is bonded onto the edges. But how big that hole was cut depends on the original installer. There are conversions where the complete roof skin was cut out. You may be lucky as AngeloEvs was and the holes are match for the poptop.
The factory VW hightops have a completely different metal section of the roof. A lot of welding required to convert a factory hightop to a poptop of any kind.

[AngeloEvs]

The Spaceroof elevating roof is similar to a Westfalia design and welding is not required as long as the roof cut out is between the strengthening ribs on the roof panel. Their website has the fitting instructions available to read or download.