Frankenstein: FWC or Flippac plus ’95 Bronco?

[kjp1969]

So will someone please talk me out of this idea: Grafting the top of a Flippac or 4WC to the half-roof of my '95 Bronco, and build out the cargo area into a mini-camper, a la baby Earthroamer.

The FWC Falcon’s 5' “box” would just about fit the general footprint of the Bronco’s fiberglass removable top, and the bed area would extend over the cab. A roof rack would still work as well as it would on a regular FWC.

The Flippac would be rotated 180 degrees, mounted in the reverse of the normal configuration, so that it opened up over the rear tailgate (baby ER again). A skirt would turn the rear of the Bronco into an additional room. There would be a bit of fiberglass work necessary to fill part of the "hole" that would otherwise be over the pickup bed.

Either way, I would probably build out a space-efficient sideways sofa that would make into a kid-sized bed, across from a counter top/storage cabinet that would also serve as a foul weather kitchen.

In both cases, it could be seriously ugly, but I can’t seem to think of a good reason not to consider it.

Please criticize this idea so that I can go back to work.

[RocKrawler]

do it

http://i1.sell.com/13/159/881694/46/100/3046840-m.jpg

http://www.projectbronco.com/Show_Room/Readers_Photos/Camper_Bronco/Camper_Bronco.jpg

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:yMkvRYHqrgXJYM:http://bbs.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/14-636839-Camper_Bronco_2.jpg

[xcmountain80]

Certainly do it. As I read the post I envisioned what a cool *** not to mention functional vehicle that would make.

Aaron

[Northern Explorer]

How do you plan on supporting the bed section of the flip pack when it is in the open position? On a regular flip pack the bed area is held up with support struts extending down to the top of the hood/fender area, and on the Earthroamer the loftop is held up with a cantilever mechanism.

[kjp1969]

I think the Flippac is self supporting, and the struts that go down to the fenders are for lateral support. Either way, I would probably fab up some brackets on the bumper or base of the fiberglass half-top, and run longer struts down on the diagonal. I'd obviously talk to the Flippac people first and confirm that that would do the job.

[motomech]

Ive always wanted to do this with my suburban.Although I'm really scared about cutting a big hole in the roof lol.Never thought of the flippac idea, i was thinking more like a pop up....but i like your idea better.
Having it flip open towards the back and hanging a curtain on it....Way cool!

[RocKrawler]

Ive always wanted to do this with my suburban.Although I'm really scared about cutting a big hole in the roof lol.Never thought of the flippac idea, i was thinking more like a pop up....but i like your idea better.
Having it flip open towards the back and hanging a curtain on it....Way cool!
Yours would be way easy... cut the back & splice on a Blazer section, normal height when you're daily driving with a stock Blazer hardtop (or go cool & put on a softtop) and when the trip comes around slide a Chalet rear shell on - instant poptop when needed! I was looking at doing the same thing with a centurion (Ford version of a Burban, most with 1Ton running gear), and already had the Bronco removable rear roof shell stock, then slide in the FWC setup pictured above originally meant for the Bronco

[motomech]

A suburban with a chalet on the back would look cool.I've seen pictures of suburbans with the blazer tops grafted on, but i really don't want to loose my barn doors.A flippac would be the way to go for me since they fold up so small
And they are not as heavy as a chalet,and more aerodynamic.

[kjp1969]

One of the import model Flippac is likely narrower and would fit better on my top where it tapers in. I've never liked the boxy look of the actual shell, but canibalizing one for the flippy part would be a-okay.

And if I totally screw up my fiberglass half-top, another is just a few hundred bucks. Maybe I buy one in advance and work on it in the garage while the other is covering up the truck. Oh, there goes my free time. . .

[RocKrawler]

One of the import model Flippac is likely narrower and would fit better on my top where it tapers in. I've never liked the boxy look of the actual shell, but canibalizing one for the flippy part would be a-okay.

And if I totally screw up my fiberglass half-top, another is just a few hundred bucks. Maybe I buy one in advance and work on it in the garage while the other is covering up the truck. Oh, there goes my free time. . .
I saw a guy in Fountain Valley graft a small wildernest pop up into a 1st gen 4runner fiberglass top, almost bought it but it needed a lot of finishing I wasnt willing to do at the time.

[12husky]

I have been sketching this for the last couple of weeks and almost have my son bought into helping me with the project. I have a '93 fullsize bronco that I recently picked up an extra top for just for this project.

I have debated the flip forward vs. backwards and decided on forward with an awning off the backside for additional shelter as needed.

I am looking at keeping the bronco in 3 useable conditions: top off summer cruiser, top on stock configuration, and flip-pac top on for camping trips. I need to carry and sleep 4 people (wife, 11 yr old son, and 7 yr old daughter).

The camper configuration would still need 2 seatbelts in the back for the kids. I'm thinking that seat could fold out into the bed for one kid and the hammock for the other until they decide to sleep in a ground tent on their own (although I fully expect they will be in the bed with their mom and I will be on the ground somewhere most of the time!).

I have been doing lots of sketching of this lately and had been debating posting it up here because I'm still getting crazy looks from the family!

Well enough rambling, what does everyone else think? And, does anyone know of a used or damaged flip-pac for sale?

~Matt

[kjp1969]

I have been sketching this for the last couple of weeks and almost have my son bought into helping me with the project. I have a '93 fullsize bronco that I recently picked up an extra top for just for this project.

I have debated the flip forward vs. backwards and decided on forward with an awning off the backside for additional shelter as needed.

I am looking at keeping the bronco in 3 useable conditions: top off summer cruiser, top on stock configuration, and flip-pac top on for camping trips. I need to carry and sleep 4 people (wife, 11 yr old son, and 7 yr old daughter).

The camper configuration would still need 2 seatbelts in the back for the kids. I'm thinking that seat could fold out into the bed for one kid and the hammock for the other until they decide to sleep in a ground tent on their own (although I fully expect they will be in the bed with their mom and I will be on the ground somewhere most of the time!).

I have been doing lots of sketching of this lately and had been debating posting it up here because I'm still getting crazy looks from the family!

Well enough rambling, what does everyone else think? And, does anyone know of a used or damaged flip-pac for sale?

~Matt

I've been daydreaming about this for a while too. I have 3 kids, and I'd like to be able to haul all 5 of us with seat belts maybe to the beach or mountains for a day trip. I figure that I could put a Bronco/F150 bench in front for 3, and a Jeep fold and tumble in the rear for 2, offset to one side to keep room for the sideways sofa which would be along the passenger side. The fold and tumble would come out with two pins (stock feature) and could be left at home when I'm camping with two or less.

The whole family wouldn't camp in this thing- we have a full size travel trailer for that deal. This is the family adventure vehicle. Since I have 3 daughters, some sort of portapotty is key, preferably one that I don't have to look at all the time, and that doesn't take any setup time either.

The flip-forward configuration would take less fabrication, but you'd need the awning for rear shelter. Not a big deal, really. I would probably try for the rear-flip so that I could have a small roof rack up front. Maybe just a fiberglass "nose" that would break the wind and make the whole ugly wart of a truck look a little better.

Basically, if it seems like I'm trying to rip off the Baby Earthroamer, I am. I'll probably call it the BURRO (Baby Urth Roamer Rip Off). Copyright on that!

[Stan@FourWheel]

Keep your eye on craiglslist in Colorado.

When the campers come up for sale, the old four wheel campers built for the broncos are usually pretty cheap used (average $500 - $1500.)

Then you are done.
Ready for camping with a sweet set up.
No building it yourself.
No trying to redesigning something.

Just a thought.

Here are some pictures of a cutomer that we "pimped his ride" for him last year.



.

[kjp1969]

Keep your eye on craiglslist in Colorado.

When the campers come up for sale, the old four wheel campers built for the broncos are usually pretty cheap used (average $500 - $1500.)

Then you are done.
Ready for camping with a sweet set up.
No building it yourself.
No trying to redesigning something.

Just a thought.

Here are some pictures of a cutomer that we "pimped his ride" for him last year.



.

Okay, that beats all.
Question: your customer's bronco is a late model- I thought the FWC designed for Broncos was for the late 70's/early 80's vintage. Will it drop right into the later models as well?
What did your customer do with the spare tire?

[NorCalBronco]

Here are some pictures of a cutomer that we "pimped his ride" for him last year
.

That is a awesome Bronc! I haven't seen one done up nice like that yet, makes me want one :)

[chnlisle]

I cut apart a first generation Trooper that was rolled and stuck a Palamino in it during the 90's and drove it all over Baja. Loved it.

[bronconite]

And if I totally screw up my fiberglass half-top, another is just a few hundred bucks.

You can buy an entire running Bronco for a few hundred bucks (just watch craigslist). Strip all the spares you want and take it to the recyclers and recoup most of your money or part it out and make money.

[bronconite]

Question: your customer's bronco is a late model- I thought the FWC designed for Broncos was for the late 70's/early 80's vintage. Will it drop right into the later models as well?

'78-'79 tops interchange and '80-'96 tops interchange. At some point, '91 or '92 I think, the tops got shoulder belt anchors and a 3rd brake light.

[brut4s]

Was one made for a K5 Blazer?

[bronconite]

Was one made for a K5 Blazer?
Yes, at one time they made them for Broncos (all generations) K-5 Blazers (I don't know about pre '75 models with the full convertable type tops), IH Scouts, and maybe others. Those are just the ones I've seen pics of.