Questions about adding a pop top to my Gen 1

[1morebike]

Went out and did some measurements of my Gen 1 roof. Really thought it would be considerably longer than the Sami posted at the beginning of the thread. It is a little, but not to much. I figure I can get a 68 x 48 mattress / sleeping area. Width is OK. Length is probably OK. I'm 5'8" (and shrinking it seams) and my wife is 5'4". Won't be as spacious as the RTT. Found 2 fabricators local capable of doing the aluminum work, bending and welding. Will see what they come back with cost wise next week.

Well out at 6'5" I don't think I'll fit. I built a sleeping platform and with the seats all the way forward its just under 79" and 54" so that should be OK

 

[plh]

Well out at 6'5" I don't think I'll fit. I built a sleeping platform and with the seats all the way forward its just under 79" and 54" so that should be OK

Yea, there is a lot more room in or on a LWB. Also measured the roof of the '92 and could easily have a 88" (7'4") long mattress on top.

 

[plh]

drawings

 

[Jay Ayala]

hey plh, what software are you using to make the drawings?

 

[plh]

I whipped these together in SketchUp.

 

[Jay Ayala]

SketchUp huh? I've never used that one before, but I assume it's pretty intuitive.


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L

 

[JamesW]

Did you get the Mazda bongo friendee in the states? They came from the factory with a lift up roof, and I've always looked at them and said if I came across a crashed one I would love to stick the roof onto a 2nd gen LWB paj, they seem to have the same dimensions. A guy in my village has one so I'll see can I get a few pictures of it, though he never puts the roof up.

 

[plh]

SketchUp huh? I've never used that one before, but I assume it's pretty intuitive.


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L

Easy to learn, Works good for the simple stuff.

Mazda bongo friendee in the states?

Nope. we generally don't get the 'fun' vehicles here.

 

[1morebike]

Yea, there is a lot more room in or on a LWB. Also measured the roof of the '92 and could easily have a 88" (7'4") long mattress on top.

Woops i went back read your post and see you said swb....

 

[plh]

Most likely going ahead with this, but undecided on which truck... the '88 or the '92. Ordered Gore-Tex, No-see-um, and Silnylon today, and planning on ordering a bunch of aluminum tonight, decided to up-size the base material from 16 gauge to 1/8", sticking with 16 gauge for the roof. Have a A/C TIG welding guy and a bender lined up, picked out seals in McMaster...

 

[Toasty]

Awesome, can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[plh]

Aluminum ordered. 1/8" 5053. Looking at buying a Tig welder. The guy I had lined up to do the Tig work wants $250 for the job (minimum he said). I can get into a low end a/c Tig for $700. I can weld steel pretty good. My workmate held many welding certifications years back and worked for several years as a commercial welder including Tig work and says he will teach me / help me. He no longer has any equipment. Big debate...

and then I see stuff like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Other-CARGO-/161673333324

 

[PirateMcGee]

Tig welding is awesome, definitely my favorite to do.

 

[plh]

This past week most of the aluminum arrived. Bender will get it this coming week. Gore-Tex and all the other "cloth" arrived, gas struts arrived, AC/DC Tig machine ordered - but won't arrive until late May. That is probably good timing. I have a bunch of travel (work and a wedding) in May so won't have too much free time this month. This one will go on my '92.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Poptops are cool Im looking forward to the build