Pop top for van
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
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Pop top for van
I brought my Astro home from GTRV in Vancouver last nite with its new lid. Its been about exactly a year since I realized I wanted a lifted Astro with a pop top and we're finally there. (Oh, not that the project is ever complete, as you all know too well.)
My friends Brian and Kelly drove me up there (the Sportsmobile owners) and they were both impressed with the quality of materials and the design, as well as the craftsmanship. The fabric is acryllic so it will not mold or mildew. I had it prewired for solar panels. He aslo modified and reinstalled my factory rack.
The view from above is spectacular. I'm looking forward to getting out.
Cheers,
Tom
My friends Brian and Kelly drove me up there (the Sportsmobile owners) and they were both impressed with the quality of materials and the design, as well as the craftsmanship. The fabric is acryllic so it will not mold or mildew. I had it prewired for solar panels. He aslo modified and reinstalled my factory rack.
The view from above is spectacular. I'm looking forward to getting out.
Cheers,
Tom
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Re: Pop top for van
Wow, now that is cool!!
Was there any steel added to the roof perimeter to maintain or improve stiffening? I ask because I found the body of my hi-top van seemed a bit flexy and over its 160+ K miles, the fiberglass top has developed a couple of cracks that I believe are caused by the body twisting. (And my van hasn't been 'wheeled' yet.) Folks with their roofs intact and who do push their vans off-road don't seem to share my concern. (As for my problem, I've considered some type of supplemental framing, (think subframe connectors), on the bottom.)
Can't wait to see some pics from 'in the woods' and a full report on how it works Tom!
Was there any steel added to the roof perimeter to maintain or improve stiffening? I ask because I found the body of my hi-top van seemed a bit flexy and over its 160+ K miles, the fiberglass top has developed a couple of cracks that I believe are caused by the body twisting. (And my van hasn't been 'wheeled' yet.) Folks with their roofs intact and who do push their vans off-road don't seem to share my concern. (As for my problem, I've considered some type of supplemental framing, (think subframe connectors), on the bottom.)
Can't wait to see some pics from 'in the woods' and a full report on how it works Tom!
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
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- I plan to be buried in my van
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- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Pop top for van
T.Low wrote:I brought my Astro home from GTRV in Vancouver last nite with its new lid. Its been about exactly a year since I realized I wanted a lifted Astro with a pop top and we're finally there. (Oh, not that the project is ever complete, as you all know too well.)
My friends Brian and Kelly drove me up there (the Sportsmobile owners) and they were both impressed with the quality of materials and the design, as well as the craftsmanship. The fabric is acryllic so it will not mold or mildew. I had it prewired for solar panels. He aslo modified and reinstalled my factory rack.
The view from above is spectacular. I'm looking forward to getting out.
Cheers,
Tom
T Low:
could ya do some daylight shots of the in and outside??.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: Pop top for van
T Low:
could ya do some daylight shots of the in and outside??.[/quote]
What he said....looking kool so far
could ya do some daylight shots of the in and outside??.[/quote]
What he said....looking kool so far
1999 AWD Astro purchased January 2007
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
![Image](http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd32/kayaker29/DSC_5154-1.jpg)
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
![Image](http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd32/kayaker29/DSC_5154-1.jpg)
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: Pop top for van
mdmead wrote:Wow, now that is cool!!
Was there any steel added to the roof perimeter to maintain or improve stiffening? I ask because I found the body of my hi-top van seemed a bit flexy and over its 160+ K miles, the fiberglass top has developed a couple of cracks that I believe are caused by the body twisting. (And my van hasn't been 'wheeled' yet.) Folks with their roofs intact and who do push their vans off-road don't seem to share my concern. (As for my problem, I've considered some type of supplemental framing, (think subframe connectors), on the bottom.)
Can't wait to see some pics from 'in the woods' and a full report on how it works Tom!
Thanks guys.
I may not get to any more photos until the weekend, but here are some Brian took at time of delivery. He said he'd shoot the interior with his wide angle next time so you can actually see more of it. In the interior shot, you can see the velcro for the rear side of the tent window. Compare that to the exterior shot for reference.
I didn't have them do anything to the interior. ($) My bank teller, Mr Fundserlow, said it wasn't quite possible at this time. They installed the top, prewired for solar, remounted my Thule awning, modified and remounted the factory rack.
The roof is reinforced with steel. Its only cut about two thirds of the way back, leaving the back with the platform over the actual roof.
I took out my interior as to give them plenty of room to work.
Last edited by T.Low on Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- I get chills without my van.
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Re: Pop top for van
THAT IS AWESOME!!!!
Mind if I ask how much that set ya back? I camp a LOT and that would be a great addition.
Dave
Mind if I ask how much that set ya back? I camp a LOT and that would be a great addition.
Dave
![Image](http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/dafrogtoad/00002665-2.jpg)
350 hp full roller SBC
Vortec iron heads
Modded TBI, 65 inj. Aeromotove Fuel reg. Speckter/K&N filter
4 core rad. Stewart WP
Heddmans, Dynomax Ultra Flo X
Tach
Alpine
Lund Moon Visor
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
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Re: Pop top for van
dafrogtoad wrote:THAT IS AWESOME!!!!
Mind if I ask how much that set ya back? I camp a LOT and that would be a great addition.
Dave
No, I don't mind at all. To me, that is the whole point of these forums; the exchange of helpful information for people with similar interests, including costs.
But let me ask you guys first; how much do you think it cost? I'll give you a clue; My Brother in law found me a used GasGas for $2900 (which I had to pass up) and my buddy that I'll call Larry (cause thats his name) bought a decent running Toyota Forerunner for $975, and the pop top install cost a lot more than both of those combined!
![Yikes :yikes:](./images/smilies/smile_yikes.gif)
Lets hear some reasonable guesses.
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- I get chills without my van.
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- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:19 pm
- Location: New Orleans
Re: Pop top for van
I'm going to guess 4200-ish. Thanks for that info...I guess I'll have to stay w/the popup for a while longer,, but that rig you got is sure sweet!
'grats to you!
Dave
'grats to you!
Dave
![Image](http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/dafrogtoad/00002665-2.jpg)
350 hp full roller SBC
Vortec iron heads
Modded TBI, 65 inj. Aeromotove Fuel reg. Speckter/K&N filter
4 core rad. Stewart WP
Heddmans, Dynomax Ultra Flo X
Tach
Alpine
Lund Moon Visor
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Bellingham, Wa
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: Pop top for van
Thanks a lot Dave. I'm very happy with it, and I owe a lot to ASV for it.
BTW, you're still hanging low on your bid.
Ouch.
Any other guesses?
BTW, you're still hanging low on your bid.
![Banging my head ](*,)](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif)
Any other guesses?
Last edited by T.Low on Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:19 pm
- Location: New Orleans
Re: Pop top for van
Wow..ah well..at least you GOT a quality job for the money tho huh?
I also like that Thule awning...gonna look that up.
Dave
I also like that Thule awning...gonna look that up.
Dave
![Image](http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/dafrogtoad/00002665-2.jpg)
350 hp full roller SBC
Vortec iron heads
Modded TBI, 65 inj. Aeromotove Fuel reg. Speckter/K&N filter
4 core rad. Stewart WP
Heddmans, Dynomax Ultra Flo X
Tach
Alpine
Lund Moon Visor
Re: Pop top for van
That's so cool. I want one now lol. But I doubt 6K is in my price range.
![Image](http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd184/therealpotskie/raist-sig.gif)
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!