DIY extended top

[Paisley777]

Hello again,

I tried to search for this, but it requires 4 letter words. DIY, van, & top aren't helping me. lol

I know you can buy fiberglass extended tops, but has anyone here made one themselves? I am checking the internet for more info as well, but wondered if anyone here has had this experience. If so - hints? tips? links?

Best & Thanks

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

i think someone did it with wood, then fiberglassed over it...i swear i remember reading that somewhere here...

i wonder if you couls invert a fishing boat

 

[Paisley777]

lol
No kidding.

Maybe use salvage truck bed topper.

 

[David]

You didn't mention what type of Van.. But fiberline.com sells hitops and you can always find something at a junk yard assuming you have a full size from the big three.

I'm going to be building my own using this method to make the plug.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

you laugh but...

heh

 

[LowTech]

You beat me to it
I have seen a john boat turned high-top on a van before, looked nice, good slope in the front.

 

[Paisley777]

hmmm...
I am certainly not above such tactics.

You beat me to it
I have seen a john boat turned high-top on a van before, looked nice, good slope in the front.

---

hmmm...
I am certainly not above such tactics.

You beat me to it
I have seen a john boat turned high-top on a van before, looked nice, good slope in the front.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

if you do it this way, you build insulation right into it right?

 

[gypsychic]

you can always find something at a junk yard

I'm hoping to do this with someone's help at a later date down the road if I decide I need a hitop. Having been confined to a wheelchair for a few years recently (I am no longer using one now) I got used to doing everything sitting down as you can imagine. I think Dazar's idea of a wheeled office chair will suit me fine for a while. I'll see when I finally move in.

I find the idea of an upside down boat intriguing. I know what my next google image search will be...

GypsyChic

 

[Bdog1]

I think I'm ready for the junkyard plan myself, looking for a 12" top on my extended Ford or whatever I find? Maybe a parts van. Anyone got one/ seen one for sale in FL?

I've had hi top envy for way too long!

 

[David]

if you do it this way, you build insulation right into it right?

You can.. I'm up in the air which way I'll go. I could shape it with the foam as supports then glass over it and removed the extra supports inside and glass over that.

Second option is to glass over the foam, use that as the plug and then use the plug to make the fiberglass only top.

 

[highdesertranger]

I think you would be dollars ahead if you found one at a junk yard. I think you are going to spend for materials what a used one would cost, then you have to build it. plus I can almost guaranty that a home built is going to be much heavier then a factory one, leading to higher center of gravity. highdesertranger

 

[Patrick46]

Here's a guy who built his own high-top from another forum I frequent...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=997157

He did a great job too!!!


I was considering using a duck boat on top of my last stepvan myself. An aluminum boat, relatively aerodynamically shaped, on top of an aluminum stepvan...should work out great!! (but I sold it.)

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

that guy did an amazing build..tho he takes overbuild to next level. I think he could roll that van thru a wall and sleep in it that night lol everything is made of steel!

 

[David]

I think you would be dollars ahead if you found one at a junk yard. I think you are going to spend for materials what a used one would cost, then you have to build it. plus I can almost guaranty that a home built is going to be much heavier then a factory one, leading to higher center of gravity. highdesertranger

I have a vanagon, it's hard enough to find a running high top Van, much less one in a junkyard here in the US. There are 3 tops still made for them in the US and they cost around $3k + shipping.

In my case the only affordable option is a self build.

 

[Paisley777]

Here's a guy who built his own high-top from another forum I frequent...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=997157

He did a great job too!!!


I was considering using a duck boat on top of my last stepvan myself. An aluminum boat, relatively aerodynamically shaped, on top of an aluminum stepvan...should work out great!! (but I sold it.)

This is a great thread link. Thanks!

The weight was mentioned as a concern. Any idea how much the fiberglass ones weigh? I wonder if they are framed in steel, aluminum, wood?

 

[highdesertranger]

they are not framed at all. they are built just like a pick up shell. you can find single wall, double wall with a cardboard core, or best of all double wall with a foam core like a surf board. highdesertranger

 

[Paisley777]

they are built just like a pick up shell. highdesertranger

That was another option, besides the boat option: how about using a truck topper? I found one that is 7lx5wx2t
With those dimensions it would fit, though how well it would mount I'm not sure.

 

[Bdog1]

I thought a bed cap might be a good start to a DIY pop top, but gee those things are heavy!

 

[Patrick46]

I thought a bed cap might be a good start to a DIY pop top, but gee those things are heavy!

really??

the canopy on my pick-up weighs 50*lbs at best.

the only reason I can't put it up there by myself, is cause it's too big & awkward...(but I've done it)