Ever thought of canibalizing a Westy for a modern SUV? [Archive]

SOAZ

06-13-2008, 08:46 PM

Looking at things like dormobiles and ecampers I started to think. Long term, it would be nice to at some point turn my 4runner into a pop top camper...

I've contacted most companies that make these conversions and they are all unwilling to sell just components, which I understand.

The alternative would be to start measuring different years westfalias and see what model would best fit an 01 4runner.

Just a crazy pipe dream at this point, but I'd like to do it someday.

Anyone have any ideas or sources of where to get the parts for this??

I can find plenty of replacement parts site for the gas lifting shocks or replacement fabric, but I don't see any complete units anywhere.

I may just have to buy and then kill a westy for parts some day. I don't want to, but it may have to die for the runner to live on...

kjp1969

06-13-2008, 09:11 PM

I have thought of this- my parents had an '81 Vanagon Westy. It was a great camper and an absolutely horrid vehicle. But the cabinets and appliances were great quality and worked very well. Your best bet would be to cannibalize an old one, if you could find one that was cheap enough to make it worthwhile.

For aesthetics, you would probably want to build your own poptop, if you wanted to go that route. My parents' didn't use struts to lift the lid, but rather some kind of internal spring and cable thing, likely so they didn't have to make the roof too rigid.

I can't see how you would have enough headroom in a 4 runner to "use" it without the roof lifted, which is one of the beautiful things about a Westy- you can use everything but the upper bunk just as it sits.

Christian P.

06-13-2008, 09:25 PM

Tim,

I am the same boat as you. I love my 4Runner and I am trying to find ways to extend the "living space".

There are a couple people who have done it with Toyota FJ60.
They put a Westfalia roof on it. if you search enough you may be able to find pics online.

But I am afraid the 4Runner is too small to make this option feasible.

In the meantime, I just bought one of these on Ebay...I don't really have high expectations, but we'll see.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sportz-Mid-Size-SUV-Tent_W0QQitemZ150257506805QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 150257506805&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Carlyle

06-13-2008, 09:26 PM

There was a picture on the portal a while back of a Unimog with a Westy conversion sitting on the back. Don't remember where, but it was interesting to say the least. :confused:

I've used the Sportz tent for several years on our older truck camper with excellent results. I put snaps on the tent and camper and attached it that way, even worked in the wind and rain to double your floor space. I just need to make it work with the additional height of the new camper now.

sami

06-13-2008, 09:44 PM

I've daydreamered about this gone 4runner stylee... It's possible if you like the custom work and have lots of time on your hands ;)

Lynn

06-13-2008, 09:48 PM

Sorry my memory isn't better, but I think someone, possibly Joaquin Suave, posted on here the name of a salvage yard that had several Westy tops. Have you done a search? :)

sami

06-13-2008, 10:12 PM

Possibly a source for some Westfalia parts ;) Maybe even construct your own cap, and attatch the westy tent?

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_category.php?id=350

Cheapest westy I could see on that site HERE (http://www.gowesty.com/classifieds_view.php?id=1033)

SOAZ

06-13-2008, 10:54 PM

Good call. I like that, but not the time to deploy. I like to move fast... kinda fast anyway.

I was thinking of getting an awning so that if I need to I can zip on some walls for more living space. What I'd really like to do is use my sunroof as an entrance to the sleeping area. That way I don't have to hack up the whole roof as much and I can keep it "structuraly more sound"
Let me know how that set up is to use?

Tim,

I am the same boat as you. I love my 4Runner and I am trying to find ways to extend the "living space".

There are a couple people who have done it with Toyota FJ60.
They put a Westfalia roof on it. if you search enough you may be able to find pics online.

But I am afraid the 4Runner is too small to make this option feasible.

In the meantime, I just bought one of these on Ebay...I don't really have high expectations, but we'll see.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sportz-Mid-Size-SUV-Tent_W0QQitemZ150257506805QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 150257506805&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

SOAZ

06-13-2008, 10:55 PM

I've daydreamered about this gone 4runner stylee... It's possible if you like the custom work and have lots of time on your hands ;)

Seriously! I dream of that too!

I wonder if the entire shell is custom made for each one of their custom campers or whether they buy the shell from some "other" application...

SOAZ

06-13-2008, 10:56 PM

I remember he had one on the back of his jeep. I wasn't able to find anything by searching, but now that you jogged my mind I may have some other terms I can try. Thank you!!

Sorry my memory isn't better, but I think someone, possibly Joaquin Suave, posted on here the name of a salvage yard that had several Westy tops. Have you done a search? :)

blupaddler

06-13-2008, 11:26 PM

Joaquin put a westy top on his Scrambler. It is the later bay window style that pops straight up.

Going up through the sunroof is a good option, as most westy's are designed to be accessed from the front anyway. And there are enough floating around that you shouldn't have to buy one intact just to use the top, add that places like, go westy, should also sell replacement canvas too.

This is a project that I have thought about for a while, because you effectively get a roof-top-tent, but could still use racks to hold light items such as surfboards. Which is my main/biggest concern with my RTT.

SOAZ

06-14-2008, 02:25 AM

Exactly. I also like that it effectively becomes part of the truck. Doesn't add as much height as a RTT and should be even quicker to deploy...
There are a few westy's for sale on there with new canvas and everything. Might be a cool project!

Joaquin put a westy top on his Scrambler. It is the later bay window style that pops straight up.

Going up through the sunroof is a good option, as most westy's are designed to be accessed from the front anyway. And there are enough floating around that you shouldn't have to buy one intact just to use the top, add that places like, go westy, should also sell replacement canvas too.

This is a project that I have thought about for a while, because you effectively get a roof-top-tent, but could still use racks to hold light items such as surfboards. Which is my main/biggest concern with my RTT.

Christian P.

06-14-2008, 02:49 AM

hoser

06-14-2008, 06:18 PM

Seriously! I dream of that too!

I wonder if the entire shell is custom made for each one of their custom campers or whether they buy the shell from some "other" application...That is a one off. The truck was later purchased by TJM as a promo vehicle. I am also interested in duplicating such a camper top. I have a approached a couple of fabrication shops but haven't found anybody yet. After renting a 78 series Land Cruiser Troopie Camper with Pop Top, I've been dreaming of owning one or something like it.

http://www.google.com/translate?u=http://www.ronaldbrunner.ch/projekte/hdj100.htm&langpair=de|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

kjp1969

06-14-2008, 06:26 PM

SOAZ

06-14-2008, 06:28 PM

That is a one off. The truck was later purchased by TJM as a promo vehicle. I am also interested in duplicating such a camper top. I have a approached a couple of fabrication shops but haven't found anybody yet. After renting a 78 series Land Cruiser Troopie Camper with Pop Top, I've been dreaming of owning one or something like it.

http://www.google.com/translate?u=http://www.ronaldbrunner.ch/projekte/hdj100.htm&langpair=de|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

thats a beaute!
PHEW!

off to search for old beat westy's and measure some of them!

locrwln

06-14-2008, 08:14 PM

I've thought about grafting the flippey part of a Flip-Pac onto my Bronco's fiberglass half-roof, flipping to the rear a-la Earthroamer JK. I haven't even gotten to the point of taking measurements, but I'm sure its doable. I don't know if its doable without looking like hell, though.

That was my thought.

At first I was thinking Westy top also, Westys can be purchased fairly cheap, I have found a few of them for less $500 with all of the top and cabinets still there.

Then I realized that the flip-pac would be a better idea in an 80. I would Flip it to the front, over the hood. That would allow you to have the bed made up and still allow you to move around and stand up inside the 80. Most importantly, you could get up and get dressed while your signifigant other could still be sleeping.

I think you would have to flip the section over the hood on the 80 to allow the rear hatch to lift completely up.

I just have to find a flip-pac to "cut" up. I'm not sure whether to try and re-fit west cabinets into the 80 or make new ones. I already have a line on an 80 body, so I can practice on that. Just a matter of collecting all of the parts and cutting every thing up.:yikes:

I have too many other things going on right now, but that is the plan I have in my head.

Jack

Elvota

06-14-2008, 10:01 PM

I have a sawzall, grinder and measuring tape.

Let me know when you are ready. :D

Elvota

06-14-2008, 11:06 PM

Actually.... just thinking out loud...

Why not start with a 1st Gen? Seems like with the removable top you could experiment a bit and possible have more flexibility in your design. You wouldn't have to worry about changing the rigidity of the 4Runner seeing that is designed to have the top taken off anyway.

Also, if you screw up to bad... just find a new factory shell and you are good as new.

Seems like it would be a shame to start chopping that nice 2001.

Heck, get a 1st Gen with a 3.0 and will swap in the 3.4 from your 2001 with the 3.0 and vice versa. Then you can sell the 2001 with a "special edition" limited HP V6. :xxrotflma

SOAZ

06-16-2008, 03:52 PM

You are evil! :littlefriend:
Hahahaha!
I may do it if I can do it well or use the sunroof as the entry point. That way the mods would be minimal. Ahh, who knows. I'll keep thinking about it and see if I can get the guts up!

Actually.... just thinking out loud...

Why not start with a 1st Gen? Seems like with the removable top you could experiment a bit and possible have more flexibility in your design. You wouldn't have to worry about changing the rigidity of the 4Runner seeing that is designed to have the top taken off anyway.

Also, if you screw up to bad... just find a new factory shell and you are good as new.

Seems like it would be a shame to start chopping that nice 2001.

Heck, get a 1st Gen with a 3.0 and will swap in the 3.4 from your 2001 with the 3.0 and vice versa. Then you can sell the 2001 with a "special edition" limited HP V6. :xxrotflma

Lynn

06-16-2008, 04:51 PM

Then you can sell the 2001 with a "special edition" limited HP V6. :xxrotflma

Economy Model! Should pull a premium price right now.

dlbrunner

06-16-2008, 06:45 PM

Damn Tim I was having the same brain fart the other day!!!

You know, we could make a fiberbglass mold pretty easily, maybe something 2 piece, where the bottom half bolts to the existing roof, attaches the "tent" to the upper flip up part. the Tent would not be too tough either, I met a guy 10 years ago who had a custom tent made for his M416, IIRC it was a less expensive option to the RTT (at the time), and he had it made to his specs.

I have something rolling around in my head, but would hate to spill all the beans and give away a potentially good business idea.

Let me get my carport framed so I have a skunkworks "Laboratory" :peepwall:

I have no experience laying glass though.

I don't really think cutting a big hole in the roof would give too much heartburn. You could also put a second sunroof in the back or something.

I had a 76 westy, it is essentially a bus with a hole in the roof. Having the ability to flip the bed out of the way when not sleeping would give some flexibility in the cargo compartment

kjp1969

06-16-2008, 07:15 PM

It would look pretty slick to use the existing roof as a slug for the mold in order to keep the body lines stock. Way easier than trying to fab something from scratch. . .

eugene

06-16-2008, 07:23 PM

Seems like it would be just as much work to adapt an old top from one of those as it would be to just buy a new rooftop tent and remove the floor then cut your roof to fit.

rusty_tlc

06-16-2008, 09:41 PM

That was my thought.

At first I was thinking Westy top also, Westys can be purchased fairly cheap, I have found a few of them for less $500 with all of the top and cabinets still there.

Then I realized that the flip-pac would be a better idea in an 80. I would Flip it to the front, over the hood. That would allow you to have the bed made up and still allow you to move around and stand up inside the 80. Most importantly, you could get up and get dressed while your signifigant other could still be sleeping.

I think you would have to flip the section over the hood on the 80 to allow the rear hatch to lift completely up.

I just have to find a flip-pac to "cut" up. I'm not sure whether to try and re-fit west cabinets into the 80 or make new ones. I already have a line on an 80 body, so I can practice on that. Just a matter of collecting all of the parts and cutting every thing up.:yikes:

I have too many other things going on right now, but that is the plan I have in my head.

Jack
I would build new cabinets. RV type cabinetry is typicaly very heavy, lots of partical board. You can build lighter cabinets out of 1/8" Luan with a 1x2 pine frame. Thats how our old Mercury teardrop was built. Just use 1/4" where you have to, like shelves and the bottoms of the cabinets. 3/16" plywood is strong enough for countertops that don't see daily use. Safari RV on Kietzke sells all the locking latches and stuff.
I re-built all the cabinets in our 57 Mercury, let me know if I can help.

ttravis5446

06-23-2008, 04:23 AM

Try http://www,bustedbus.com

They are west of Denver and do nothing but 68-79 VW bus parts. Chris is a really cool guy to deal with. I used to work there back in the day for the former owners when I was a big VW guy. We sold a 74-79 Westy pop top to a guy who put it on an FJ60 and a Sportsmobile top to a guy who put it on a built IH Travel-All. I would definately recommend a 74-79 model over a 68-73 model. Much better hinges and latches and they pop up taller if I remember correctly. They also have a bed up there, while the earlier ones only had a single person cot. I'm not too familiar with the Vanagon Westy tops, they are very similar to the 74-79 models, just wider and with a different roof contour. None of my Vanagons were pop tops so I don't know much more than that. I just saw a 68-71 Dormobile camper shell in Loveland last time I was down there. I didn't save the phone number on its for sale sign. It is the same style top they used on the old Land Rover Dormobiles though.

Bad Voodoo

07-07-2008, 04:50 AM

Hey Tim,

I just met a guy this weekend who has customized Westies for his own personal expedition-style use - saw one of his rigs in a shop mid-build, and it's pretty sweet. He's supposed to have sent me his info via email but I haven't checked my work account yet (trying to forget I have a real job to return to tomorrow). I'll get you his info after I collect it when I get back to the office this week.

He might even be posting one of his completed Westies for sale here on EP, considering I told him it might be the perfect place to get some attention for an expedition vehicle of this type. ;)