Hightops that aren't fiberglass

[TrainChaser]

I tried looking online, but didn't find much.  Are there such things as hightops that are made of aluminum or steel?

 

[Almost There]

I haven't ever seen one and I've been around custom vans since 1975!

 

[highdesertranger]

I have never seen one unless it was a home built. what's wrong with fiberglass? highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

I haven't seen any, but sorta liked the upper half of an old VW van welded on anything. At one time you saw them all over.

 

[John61CT]

Buy a Sprinter or similar, high to start with

 

[ArtW]

There was one poster here who was making their own out of wood, dunno what happened to them

 

[DannyB1954]

O thought about buying an aluminium row boat, turning it upside down and fastening it to the top of the van. then cut a hole in the van roof.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I tried looking online, but didn't find much.  Are there such things as hightops that are made of aluminum or steel?

Are the Sprinter, Transit high tops fiberglass?

 

[bullfrog]

O thought about buying an aluminium row boat, turning it upside down and fastening it to the top of the van. then cut a hole in the van roof.

Talk about stealth!

 

[ArtW]

Danny that'd actually not a bad idea, might have to trim some

 

[deadwood]

The sprinter and transit and Promaster for that matter are all metal. It's just and extension of the body going higher. I think that also gives them a much cleaner look. I have a high roof transit. I like how its painted metal and looks like part of the van not something added on. I also like that it is easy to care for. Just a step ladder to make sure it gets a coat of wax 3 times a year.

I haven't seen any of the older style high tops be anything but fiberglass. But I have heard of the idea of putting an aluminum boat upside down and making it a high top. I don't know if anyone has done it. But it would add a sort of stealth factor to it I think. People would just see a boat and assume it's sitting on the roof rack. They wouldn't even look twice at it. And it would definitely not look like an RV.

 

[MrNoodly]

O thought about buying an aluminium row boat, turning it upside down and fastening it to the top of the van. then cut a hole in the van roof.

The problem is the contour of the roof versus the contour of the boat's gunwale. Then there's the matter of joining aluminum to steel. 

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en..._occt=any&safe=images&as_filetype=&as_rights=

 

[John61CT]

But it would add a sort of stealth factor to it I think. People would just see a boat and assume it's sitting on the roof rack. They wouldn't even look twice at it.

LOL

And it would definitely not look like an RV.

Now that part's true!

 

[TrainChaser]

HDR: I was thinking that a hightop would be nice, but I like high country, and they aren't recommended for thunderstorms, as they're said to not be as safe an all-metal van. The metal van acts as a Faraday Cage, but the fiberglass part 'interrupts' that effect. Everything says they're not good in those circumstances, but I can't find anything definite that tells exactly what happens if you're hit, or if there's a hit nearby.

But if anyone has more accurate info, please post (with the website). I've found a lot of opinions, but I would really like facts.

 

[highdesertranger]

interesting. I would like to hear about this too. highdesertranger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

The physics of lightning striking a vehicle is very complex, but here are some generalized explanations:

http://lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/vehicle_strike.html

https://sciencenotes.org/car-really-safe-place-lightning-strikes/

http://noshockzone.org/lightning-safety/

 -- Spiff

 

[hepcat]

The problem is the contour of the roof versus the contour of the boat's gunwale. Then there's the matter of joining aluminum to steel. 

Geez...  what's the problem here? Drywall screws and caulk. LOTS of caulk. And duct tape. You always need duct tape. That's all you need. 

 

[hepcat]

 

[DannyB1954]

The problem is the contour of the roof versus the contour of the boat's gunwale. Then there's the matter of joining aluminum to steel. 

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en..._occt=any&safe=images&as_filetype=&as_rights=

Not every boat would work, but if you have time to shop, some of them would. They also made boats out of wood, plastic and fiberglass.

 

[Alcatraz]

I seen them youngster's, but they are super rare. They were the original high top vans
They had the top of a 1964-1967 Oldsmobile Vista cruiser station wagon welded on top. Seen them up to the mid 70's.
You rarely see them out of custom van shows now.

Here are some examples

http://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t22953-vista-cruiser-tops