Has anyone ever built there own penthouse top???

[dsw4x4]

I am building my own penthouse top a little like a sportsmobile and wondering if anyone has ever seen or built there own version. Mine uses a raised fiberglass roof out of a junkyard I scored for 50 bucks. I built my own lifting hardware and I am thinking of sliding the bed out of the back of the van so when it is up it will look like a sportsmobile with a pop up camper trailer bed overhanging the back doors. I have been posting pictures on photobucket if anyone has some suggestions let me hear them, the project sort of moves slow but I have my old junk van to work it all out on then when it is done I will switch it to my Quigley psd.
Pictures link

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/

Thanks for the input
Derek

[ujoint]

Looks awesome, that question has been asked many many times. I think your little project is gonna turn out awesome!

[dieselcruiserhead]

congrats & awesome. I have the roof cap cut off my 55 currently and for even a couple years I've been pondering building something like this as well. I figured the hardest part would be the hinges and figuring out how all that would work. I even asked for some photos from Westies once upon a time to compare (or pilfer) off one of those. Good stuff and I really like your solution!

[Joaquin Suave]

Yes I have. However, I took a simpler route...

I removed the top of a VW camper ( It was a US modified brand called: Country Home Camper), then tig welded an aluminum tubing frame and attached the fabric & lifting mechanism to it. I then mounted the "penthouse" onto to my rollbar/kayak rack. I wired the unit up with backup lights (can be folded down for camping lights), stereo speakers, and bedroom reading light. I have quick disconnect connectors for the wires at the end of an umbilical so the "penthouse" can be unplugged and unbolted from the Jeep then lifted into the rafters of my shop.

Here is the thread for my Jeep...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1519&highlight=mayahual


http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/Baja12_06b.jpg

[dsw4x4]

I like your jeep I use a top bunk on my jeep and broncos and the exploder I also used it on my old van for a while it works out really nice because they mount to Yakima racks and you can switch vehicles when ever you want. Here is a pic of it on the van and one on the explorer.
Andre I used to be on 4btswaps my original plan was to use a 4bt in my van but I have since bought a psd quigly van so it looks like the 4bt will be going into one of my boxstyle broncos.
thanks for the input everyone
Derek

van
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/123jpg.jpg

exploder
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/IMGP2617.jpg

[dsw4x4]

Here are some pics of the slide out bed and the material is starting to come together.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3090.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3085.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3084.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3091.jpg

[chet]

thats a pretty cool setup! I was looking at my Coleman colorado the other day and thought hey that would look pretty cool on top of a van. or basically what you have shown.

[DavidG]

Very nice. Like many on here, I have pondered this very question. Congrats for moving beyond the planning stage and developing a (giant) poptop! I got as far as buying a Westie roof, but couldn't bring myself to cut the roof on my Suburban. Now, with a huge sunroof available to climb through, I think it's time to revisit this for my Montero. Very cool! Keep the pics coming...

[GroupSe7en]

dsw - very cool!

Looking forward to following your build.

How does your slide-out work - what holds it up?

Cheers,
Mark

[elmo_4_vt]

That looks pretty cool! What type of material did you make the tent out of? Did you sow it yourself, or someone local?

Don

-

[dsw4x4]

Mark the slide out has to be supported by rods to the rear bumper I was trying to avoid that but it made things to heavy up high.
Don I am not sure what the material is my brother in law used to make TopBunks (the one pictured on top of our explorer) and he had a chunk of material left over he gave me. It is not rip stop, It looks and feels a lot like my kelty tent. It is pretty light weight compared to a pop up camper, but really strong. My girlfriends mom was nice enough to help me with the sewing duties so far with all of the zippers and velcro and windows he have over 40 hours of shoving material through the machine. She is back intown this week to finish it up so tomorrow I have to cut the roof off of my good van and get it ready to do a final fitment and install of the material. I got the top painted and the roof rack built and set it on the van tonight so tomorrow it is time to start cutting.
Here are some pics of the top from tonight.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3114.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3117.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3121.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3123.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3125.jpg

This is what the roof started out as
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP2860.jpg

[spencyg]

Wow...that is going to look fabulous! These pop-up tops are so cool and really allow the best of both worlds....stand up room when you're camped, and a nice low frontal area when you're headed down the road. I might be stealing some of your ideas here in the next couple years with my own van...kudos.

Spence

[Joaquin Suave]

NICE job on the rack!!!

What are the "winglets" (loops hanging over the sides) on the rear for?

[dsw4x4]

You cannot see it, but the winglets follow the mold of the top which is also the part I painted silver but their purpose is when it is all said and done a ladder will go to the rain gutter of the van below them so they will become the last step for the ladder. (think aluminess style ladder but a lot cheaper I have less than 50 bucks in the rack so far)
Derek

[cjmitchell5]

Awesome! I'm getting a free Discovery and was contemplating this too. There's an 80 Vanagon Camper for $1K on craigslist that I'm sure would be happy to donate it's top and interior to the cause :) Only problem, I'm pretty sure the pop up on a vanagon is longer than the roofline of a disco. Anyone have the measurements?

[dsw4x4]

Well it is starting to look like a actual camper van I figured I would post some new pics for everyone to check out.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3144.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3152.jpg

<a href="http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/?action=view&current=IMGP3155.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3155.jpg" border="0" alt="me standing up 6'1&amp;quot; and cant touch the ceiling"></a>

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3159.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3164.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3166.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3171.jpg

[DavidG]

Wow, looks great! It looks like you have enough room to install a pool table upstairs :)

[BlueBomber]

I looked at the pics and the only word that came to mind was "WOW"! that van looks GOOD! i didnt get what was so special until the last set of pics. It just looks like a normal van with a fiberglass top. Awesome van.

[02TahoeMD]

Great project, when you are done take some pics outdoors and post up! I admire your creativity.

[dzzz]

Just a reminder from your mom. Cut the roof off a van and roll it over, everyone in the back dies.

Anyway, I really like how these mods look. I would love to popup a section of the camper I'm designing. But I'm not sure I can make it water tight. Maybe I'll do a popout wall.

[dsw4x4]

Tell that to sportsmobile and westfailia! This van has 4 times the steel reinforcing the roof the factory ford van had. I tossed around the idea of a roll bar on the inside however when I was finally knee deep in the project it is clear the stoutness of the van structure over stock. I was also concerned about twisting up the body to. Beside that it is just my girlfriend myself, two mutts and a couple of dirt bikes, so back seat safety is not a huge issue for me at this time (although I do love my KTM's).

02tahoemd I would love to get some good outdoor pics but visibility here has been about 50 ft and snow/rain all weekend, beside that the details are eating up all of my time this will be the third weekend in a row but hopefully this weekend I will get it out side and take some real pictures of it.

[dsw4x4]

Finally I got the head liner and lights in!!

Looking backwards
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3180.jpg


Looking forwards
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMGP3179.jpg

[dsw4x4]

Still not done but I finally got it outside to take some pictures

top down


http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2329.jpg

going up


http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2334.jpg

up with bed in
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2335.jpg

up with bed out
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2341.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2343.jpg
rear view
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2345.jpg
Looking up and in from rear door
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2348.jpg
front looking to back
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2349.jpg
Laying in bed looking forward
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2352.jpg
top up bed slide in with rear hatch closed
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/IMG_2356.jpg

So I have some trimming and wiring and other misc things but it is finally starting to look like somthing.
Derek

[michaels]

wow. nice...

[spencyg]

Is the bed tent watertight? How does water keep from pooling on the tent roof? Looks totally amazing! Without worrying about space for a bed you have got TONS of room in the van shell for a very spacious and functional layout. Kudos!

Spence

[dsw4x4]

Not to sure how water tight it is as of yet? It only came out of the garage for the afternoon to take some pictures. It is still not complete yet (as in ready to use) it will never be complete!! Anyway it should be pretty water tight it has small rain flaps/gutters that run along both sides where the wall meets the roof, and the rear flap door for when the bed is slid in velcros to the roof creating a three foot long rain flap to keep water off of the zippers. In theory it all looks like it should work time will tell though. Another unfinshed part is it will get a support bar that runs front to back down the middle of the roof to help shed snow and water, like most pop up camper trailers get. I was trying to avoid that but it seems like the way to go plus it will give more head room in the bed area.
Thanks for all the nice comments everyone!!
Derek

[brettf]

Wow. This looks amazing.

I have so many questions...don't even know where to start!

Clearly you're lightyears beyond my skills with this stuff, but cutting/measuring - you make it sound so easy. How difficult was the attachment and removal of the original roof for the high top?

How is the roof raised? Do you use any extra supports once it is up?

Nice work!

[dsw4x4]

Brettf,
Removing the old roof was not hard physically (Maybe a little on the nerves) first I cut a hole a lot smaller than the finished size using electric shears then I could stand up and see what I was doing, I made the final cut using a grinder and a cut off wheel it was the most practical thing i could find for the job.
The roof is raised using two 12 volt actuators with 30 inches of travel you just flip the switch and up it goes. There are no extra supports it is really stout I can walk on the roof when it is in the up position it would not even worry me to have a couple of people on the roof with it in the up position. Pulling the fiberglass top off at the junk yard is a bit of a pain but nothing two car jacks couldn't take care of.
Derek

[Funrover]

Man I would love to see that in person.. Drake isn't too far from Colorado Springs, i am up there every 3 weeks.. Would you mind showing it off some time?

[dsw4x4]

Funrover
I would not mind that at all! Not only that I would love to find some people to wheel with around here. My trail rigs hardly ever get used since I moved out here I do not know anyone to wheel with. Drop me a line next time your up this way.
Derek

[DavidG]

Brettf,
Removing the old roof was not hard physically (Maybe a little on the nerves) first I cut a hole a lot smaller than the finished size using electric shears then I could stand up and see what I was doing, I made the final cut using a grinder and a cut off wheel it was the most practical thing i could find for the job.
The roof is raised using two 12 volt actuators with 30 inches of travel you just flip the switch and up it goes. There are no extra supports it is really stout I can walk on the roof when it is in the up position it would not even worry me to have a couple of people on the roof with it in the up position. Pulling the fiberglass top off at the junk yard is a bit of a pain but nothing two car jacks couldn't take care of.
Derek


It looks amazing, very cool. I can't believe you can walk on the roof when it is up, that is incredible!

[T.Low]

With all due respect, you have way to much vision, talent, and skill for one man.

I've never before seen a pop top with the ability to become a 2 bedroom; you could easily put another bunk over the drivers seat and what would be the second row of seating, and still have plenty of open room toward the rear of the van, should the need ever arise (as if you haven't had that thought yourself already).

Very impressive.

[dsw4x4]

Thanks T.low!
I did think about making a slide out bed in the front and if I ever have kids that is exactly what I would do. In the mean time there is plenty of room for a child to sleep on the shelf (existing roof) over the two front seats it is about 2 1/2 ft deep and 4 ft wide. With a net to keep them from falling out a kid could probably get 8 or so years out of that. My main reason for not doing the front slide out was I did not know the rear was going to work and every time I had a IDEA it added colossal hours on to my build time. The plan is to use it this year so I had to put some stuff on hold.
Derek

[Funrover]

Funrover
I would not mind that at all! Not only that I would love to find some people to wheel with around here. My trail rigs hardly ever get used since I moved out here I do not know anyone to wheel with. Drop me a line next time your up this way.
Derek

PM sent and I will find a time to check it out!

[dsw4x4]

Got it and Pm'd you back.
Thanks
Derek

[Reed]

This build is truly inspiring! I have an 84 Ford e-150 that I am going to be stripping and converting into a camper van and I want to do EXACTLY what you did, except add the front bed.

Any chance you would be willing to post some details about the specifics of the construction of the lifting mechanism and the slide out bed? Materials used, techniques, etc...?

Thanks!

[Ford Prefect]

Wow, This is a thread pulled out from a while back, but I am not complaining. Glad I got to see it. Very creative ideas you have there. Plus your top made me miss Ft. Collins (graduated from CSU)

Very cool stuff you have going on there. How does it do now that you have used it a few times?

Also, is the bed inflatable, or is it a regular mattress?

[dsw4x4]

Hi Reed and ford perfect,
Thanks for the comments I figured this topic was dead. We just returned this afternoon from a four day trip to wyoming and leave again next thursday for our next trip to lake powell and crested butte for 12 days. So far it rocks the few little things that we want to change have been very minor and extremely nit picky. The top raises and lowers with ease my girl friend can set the whole thing up by herself in a probably less than a minute. This winter we will take the material off and sew a cordura material (or something like it). We are going to use that to strenthen the bottom and top 8 inches all the way around the top above and below the windows. The reason for doing this is because the lower edge of the material rubs the lifting hardware when it is down and this causes the meterial to wear through. I planned on doing during the build but I ran out of time so I skipped that step.. I also had to add a bar to keep the slide out bed roof from sagging. It was pooling up water on the roof in the rain. I bent up a piece of conduit the same way popup campers do it and that fixed that problem plus it gave us more head room in the bed. The bed is 6 inch thick orthepedic foam mattress with water bed type sheets with the bottom sewn together. If you have more question ask away I am happy to answer. if you want to se more pictures of the build you can check them out in my photo bucket album here
http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/
You have to thumb through the pages to see the stages of the build.
Derek

[Clark]

Those are awesome pictures - they were exactly what I was looking for! I've got a couple questions for you
1) What holds the roof down when your driving? It must have something to snug it up or I'd think you would get a lot of wind noise.
2) What type of steel did you use for the bottom track that the triangle brackets slide in? How did you attach it to the roof?

[dsw4x4]

The top has two sets of scissors and on set of 12 volt 400 lb actuators the actuators lifts and lowers so it clamps the top closed. For a while we just used that to keep it clamped but I noticed after a few hours on rough roads then on the highway again it would work its way loose and we would get some wind noise. So I added pop up camper clamps on the outside they were cheap off of ebay new they cost about 20 bucks. This fixed that problem and it also keeps the top from sloshing around four wheeling. It sloshed side to side about 1/4 inch each way 1/2 total. Not really noticable but tears up seals and side material if it is caught in between the top and the roof.
As for the track I used unistrut from lowes then machined a foot to slide in the track on the bottom of the foot I mounted ulta high molecular light weight plastic to slide on rather than wheels. That way there are no rattles and nothing needs to be greased so it keeps the interior clean. I then welded that track to structral steel under the van roof and butted the edge of the track to where I cut the van roof and welded it the full length of the van top and bottom. Then that track is sandwiched with the c channel that the bed slides out on and welded again to the structure steel of the van and the track that the top slides on. All and all it is probably sturdier than the way it came from ford.

Derek

[Spur]

The top has two sets of scissors and on set of 12 volt 400 lb actuators the actuators lifts and lowers so it clamps the top closed. For a while we just used that to keep it clamped but I noticed after a few hours on rough roads then on the highway again it would work its way loose and we would get some wind noise. So I added pop up camper clamps on the outside they were cheap off of ebay new they cost about 20 bucks. This fixed that problem and it also keeps the top from sloshing around four wheeling. It sloshed side to side about 1/4 inch each way 1/2 total. Not really noticable but tears up seals and side material if it is caught in between the top and the roof.
As for the track I used unistrut from lowes then machined a foot to slide in the track on the bottom of the foot I mounted ulta high molecular light weight plastic to slide on rather than wheels. That way there are no rattles and nothing needs to be greased so it keeps the interior clean. I then welded that track to structral steel under the van roof and butted the edge of the track to where I cut the van roof and welded it the full length of the van top and bottom. Then that track is sandwiched with the c channel that the bed slides out on and welded again to the structure steel of the van and the track that the top slides on. All and all it is probably sturdier than the way it came from ford.

Derek

I am so impressed by your van. Really amazing. I'd like to know more about the lifting mechanism, if you don't mind. Are you using this type of actuator?

http://www.e-motionllc.com/3_stroke_400_lbs_force_p/fa-400-l-12-3.htm

I've looked through your photo album and I can't find any good closeups on the track and the actuators. Do you have any more photos? I think I understand how it works, but some pictures would really help. Thanks.

[dsw4x4]

The actuators I used were more like these
http://www.e-motionllc.com/24_stroke_400_lbs_force_p/fa-400-l-12-24.htm
except I used a 34 inch stroke if I remember right.

I used electrical unistrut for the track

http://www.fondriest.com/images/nexsens_a56.jpg

It is hard to get pictures of most of this stuff because now it is finished and you cannot really see any of the hardware. I am not sure if I posted a link to the full album but you can sort through those pictures and see if that helps.

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/

Also if you want to get in touch by phone drop me a PM and I would be happy to answer any questions you have over the phone.
Derek

[Clark]

I have to restate how impressed I am with the project. The pictures cleared up a lot for me.

[The Adam Blaster]

Just caught this build by following a link, REALLY nice build Derek!
Sportsmobile should copy your ideas and pay you some $$$$. :D

[dsw4x4]

Thanks Adam,
It is funny how this thread keeps resurfacing. I am actually in talks with a couple of companies about building these on a build to order type of deal with the simpliest form being a wetfailia type of top and the fanciest being like my top. They are fun to build and turn a few heads when you have it camped at the right spot. We enjoy the daylights out of it.
Thanks again for the kind words everyone.
Derek

[Spur]

I dream of this too. A long term idea for my Suburban is a pop-up. It's not going to happen now, but sometime down the line, I think it would be really cool. I've thought of a Dormobile style too.

It's really hard to find the tops new. Finding them used is a hunt I imagine. I found this website that sells them. Not sure about the quality or the price, but it's the only thing I could find.

http://www.fiberine.com/GVMR_Inc/Full_Van_Size_Top.html

[wanderer-rrorc]

after printing hi-rez photos of your build...:coffeedrink:

I have a question about the lifters and the material..

do you think the lifters could be concealed well if used in a GTRV style topper?

http://www.gtrv.com/images/3-diamondtop.jpg
http://www.gtrv.com/images/0504-39.JPG

did you just use a local awning/seamstress for the sides?? or are ya fortunate enough to know how to use a sewing machine (THANKS MOM!!) and have one (MOM?? wheres my sewing machine?? chrismas 09??)

part of my problem is a SMB style topper wont let my girl fit in the garage...a GTRV will...so Im tight on clearances (from what I've seen)

[dsw4x4]

With a little inginuty you can hide all of that stuff just flip the actuators upside down and the motors will point down instead of up. You can flip through my photo bucket pages if you want to see some more detailed pictures of the build.
http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/

The problem I ran into with building a low profile top was you will have to lay up the top yourself or use t-core or fiber board or something like that to make the actual roof. I was able to score a raised roof in a junkyard for 50 bucks and saved me a lot of work. The whole project was enough work in the first place. As far as the material and sewing goes it started out with using my girlfriends sewing machine (a viking) and getting her to help. Then her mom thought that sounded like a fun project so she drove out here for a long weekend which turned out to be two solid weeks of the three of us sewing. So decide how many and how big your windows are carefully. A lot of the time was spent figuring out how to sew zippers (tricky till you get the hang of it) and that I wanted the whole slide out bed section to be removable so it zips off and you can use the van sportsmobile style with the bed slid in and the back door zipped closed. So making that removable section and a door that zips closed when the removeable section is zipped off or just tucked in and the rear door zipped closed was the a very time consuming challenge, add to that it needs to stay tight to keep from flapping in the wind and shed water and all material seems and zippers must drain away from the inside. The end result Lizs sewing machine worked great. If I had to do it again actual sew time would be cut in half the learning curve was huge. Since then I have some other projects going on and I have talked to a couple commercial tent and awning companies and they all are happy to talk to me and work with me doing prototype work. And they have all dabbled in this type of work before.
Hope this helps, good luck with your build.
Derek

[wanderer-rrorc]

I was thinking about the actuators lastnight as a matter of fact...do you have problems with one being faster than the other?

I plan on poppin the top myself and rigging up a holder in the garage ceiling to keep it in positon...then welding some sort of rest for it when its down to seal to..(so it has someplace to set/seal onto...)..even thought about getting another van to chop the roof off of!

it would be just 3 smaller windows...back and both sides...18inx3ft..we have a GREAT awning/boat place that can do my stitching...and theyre FAST!!..

Im lovin the idea of the project..heck my preggers wife is even excited..and she just usually rolls her eyes and says "thats nice honey..can I go back inside now?"

[dzzz]

It is good to design a lift that works manually, and the add light weight actuators to replace the human. It's easier and less expensive. Actuators can produce a lot of force, but aren't good at handling real world torques, and also have a limited range. A designed an actuator-centric lift system. It's a waste of money and inelegant.

From this thread I see a new Expedition Portal feature - a dating service to find girlfriends who like to camp and can sew.

[The Adam Blaster]

Derek, good luck with talking to possible producers of your penthouse. :)
If you could somehow standardize the size, the units (including the fiber roofs) could be mass produced to both be sold at a reasonable price to the consumer, and make the producing company some $$$. (And hopefully you'll be in on that part.) :)

I'm trying to think of the different vehicles that have approx. the same sized roof that could fit these units -- all full sized vans, standard and extended, Excursions, Suburbans???

I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you'll be able to turn your innovative creation into some $$$$.

[dustboy]

Wow, just stumbled on this thread..crazy-go-nuts. I can almost understand all of the mechanical aspects, but the canvas work would make my eyes cross. Any updates? If I'm not mistaken there aren't any pics of the finished interior, i.e. what happened downstairs?

[dsw4x4]

Thanks Dustboy,
The interior is moving very slowly I did put a furnace in it and we have been using the daylights out of it. after the poptop was done reinstalled the plastic passenger van interior so the inside is at least finished looking. This winter it will get the interior finished out the rest of the way. Everything from the headliner up is um how should I say it finished looking. I have a hand full of things I am going to change from the way I initially finished the top. Finishing the interior was not planned to be done till this winter because we wanted to use the van to see what we did and did not want in the interior. Our uses include being able to haul two motorcycles and tow a Boat or one of our broncos, and still be able to use the interior as a complete camper van we also stay in it during the winter on ski trips. But when we travel with just the van and motorcycles we do not like to turn back because a trail is to tuff, we do not like to back track we like to cover a lot of ground. So the van has to be able to do hardcore trails. My current focus is lifting the van enough to get 35s under it, comp cutting the rear and building custom bumpers for the front and rear with a swing out tire carrier and rock sliders. I already bashed in the lower rear quarters of the van so that part will get cut off in the comp cut. I also need a winch mount for the front we got stuck by steamboat last year at ten at night and it took 8 hours to dig our way out. So a winch is high priorty right now. Just having the dry warm space in the interior makes it nice for camping and hauling toys.

Here is more current picture from last summer loaded with bikes and boats.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p148/dsw4x4/van%20project/8-15August2009212.jpg

[MonteV]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, based in Europe.

Wow dsw4x4 your rig looks fantastic! I definitely think you could sell kits for this.

Meanwhile I found a tired old raised top Econoline. I'm toying with the idea of either fixing it up and using the top in similar manner to yours, or just remove the top and put it on a van in better shape than the current one35893. Not sure I'm able to do it, though.

[Nasa13]

Very cool build.
I am about to take on my 4x4 sportsmobile style build. I am looking at the possibility of purchasing a pop up camper like this:
http://www.michigancamperrentals.com/images/n_pop_up_trailer14%20copy.jpg
and fabricating it to fit the roof of a 4x4 ford RB

They have 10-12 ft with beds on each side that should work great with a bed over the windshield and one over the back doors like the one in this thread. It would require support rods as well.

Has this ever been done? Seems like it would be much easier than recreating this beautiful build. I figure I could also use all of the amenities and furniture from the pop up in the Van to save more money and time.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Corey

[stevenmd]

Just caught this build by following a link, REALLY nice build Derek!
Sportsmobile should copy your ideas and pay you some $$$$. :D

Funny you say that. I spoke with SMB last year about the possibility of doing something like this. He seemed interested but said he would have to put some thought into the design.

Something like this is ideal for larger families - I could put 2 kids on one end, 3 kids on the other, and then Suzi and I could sleep in the van.:coffee:

[UHAULER]

Most pop up tent trailers are about 7' wide and the top of a van is less than 6'. Also I don't know where you would locate the lifting struts. I'm having a hard time visualising this one. Are you thinking of mounting the whole trailer minus the axle on top of the van ?

Start a thread when you get started on your project.

[dsw4x4]

MonteV,
Go for it!! Just removeing the top and replacing it on another van can be done with pretty simple hand tools and you always have the old one to use as a pattern. Plus all the great people on this forum to ask questions to and get free advice.
Nasa13, uhauler beat me to it but you will have a hard time finding a trailer that is as narrow as the Van roof if you do find one it could be grafted onto a van roof with minimal brain freeze ups. If you are thinking of trying to do it with a normal width trailer the amount of work it would take would be way more than doing it from scratch.
Stevenmd you are thinking just like me if I had kids I would of built mine with a slide out out of the front of the van as well and then could sleep four up top and still be able to walk from the front to the rear the van standing up straight.
For those that do not know I have started a company Colorado Camper Van LLC. We build pop tops for vans and Top Bunks which is a portable pop top that can be mounted on any vehicle with yakima racks. Much like a magolina only made in the usa with better pricing. Check us out at www.coloradocampervan.com
Thanks
Derek

[TXbushape]

I am presently building a 55 1st generation chevrolet panel truck on a 1984 3/4 suburban chasis and have been thinking of raising the roof .The curvi:snorkelture of the roof line is causing some grief becuase I want to keep the vintage look and the rack design will have to be a pipe benders dream but like all the others before me and all that follow something worth doing is worth doing right:snorkel:

[lynndessens]

Great! I Love looking to those images. Very creative and resourceful. Brilliant mind!