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/p...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/foru...light=mayahual

[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


exploder

[dsw4x4]

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

[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

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