Chevy & GMC Vans

I just went to the local U-pull it to see what they had in the way of Astro parts. I noticed that they had a number of van conversions that had the fiberglass high tops. The price on them? $50 but would probably take half a days later to get it off the van. The yard people said that sometimes they get the Astro van conversions in also, with the high top.

My beautiful, blue Astro baby has a standard top but I really want it to have one of the "bubble tops" like on this webpage: http://www.discountvantruck.com/vantops ... topsCA.htm

If I pick up one of these - hopefully used for $50 - what do I need to do to the van when I cut the roof off to maintain the structural integrity of the van? I am sure it will be quite a bit of work, but to be honest, it sounds really fun. I know that one possible answer is to just buy a used one and sell mine but I have not seen anything that has as nice a body and interior as my van (which I got for $1500) that has a bubble top. I also am hoping to convert the bubble top so that it is a pop top..yes, I am a dreamer and planner I am making the design now, so there is flexibility. Because I am going (hoping) to make it a pop top I probably will not cut the whole roof off, but probably an area that covers from just behind the middle seats to just behind the front two seats. Would a roll bar be necessary? Or some steel reinforcement forming a lip around the opening?

This is an important issue for me. To be honest, one of the reasons why I did not wait for a van conversion is that I have read reports of accidents that conversions have been in and the results were not pretty. Most of the tops are put on with sheet metal screws and when the vehicle is torqued by a collision, even if it does not turn over, the tops usually are separated from the vehicle and people have been thrown out :(

If I am being as clear as mud, don't be afraid to say so

I would look at what the van you get the top off from has for added support. I really dont think they added any extra support. If your going to make it a pop up and the hole is dramatically smaller than cutting the whole roof out I doubt you would need any more .

Here is a thread that a member here(T-low) just did a pop top conversion.

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=3091

As you read it,You will find it isn't a cheap conversion,yet well worth it.

This is a company that did build camper Astro's which is Provans and years ago built hard top RV's and pop top versions.The hard top ones are the XL version and the pop top ones are the GT version.Pic'ed is a XL.But for them you can expect to spend from $4500 to $12,000.



My high top I can almost stand up in it.(opertive word almost. )If I was to do all over again,I would have looked farther for a wheelchair raised roof Astro.Now you do understand these raised roof vans effect gas mileage.It is not a cake and eat it too result.Here is a pic of what seems to be a taller top than mine.

http://www.fiberine.com/GVMR_Inc/Mini_Van_Tops.html#15

Lastly here is a link about high tops.Read the part about high tops.

http://www.conversion-vans.net/parts/13 ... -tops.html

So if you want to find a high top,look for the tallest used one you can find.But again,keep in mind your gas mileage is going to suffer.

How much will gas mileage suffer? 10%?

cut the roof off both vans about half way up the pillars, then just weld the entire new roof and pillars onto the pillars of your van. Roof, seals, reinforcement, all stays intact.

T.Low wrote:cut the roof off both vans about half way up the pillars, then just weld the entire new roof and pillars onto the pillars of your van. Roof, seals, reinforcement, all stays intact.

T-Low,I am not following what you are saying.Could you explain farther??.

Two things.

1) If you smash hard enought to rip the roof off I would think the roof would be the least of your problems.
2) If your blown out you weren't wearing a seatbelt or the seat ripped out. Again the roof would be the least of your problems.

When I was hanging arond bugging the local VW repair shop guru about installing my own pop top, he told me thats what VW bus guys have done.

The pillars that go from the fender up between the windows to the roof. Cut them at the bottom (aka bottom of the window) or half way up the pillar. in the pop top there is reinforcement, so instead of cutting a hole in the roof and trying to get the hole correct and the reinforcemnet correct, just take the entire roof intact and cut it off at the feet, then weld it to your van that you cut the same way.

Sorry G, don't know any other way to 'splain it.


Edit: whose the guy who cut the back of his astro roof off to make it into a pickup? Cut it off at that height but all the way around the van. The VW guy said to cut it a little higher on the pillars...
Where's your van now?, I'll show ya what I mean!

As far as finding a conversion van, I know of one particular numnut who's 1996 conversion van is in pretty good shape and simply needs a v-8 swap to be performed. This members' wife removed the old engine, but hasn't had time to complete the swap due to other obligations such as a full-time job and rasing the kids. The memeber himself could "theoretically" finish the job, were he to be equipped with the adequate knowledge and dexterity to perfom such a swap.
Who knows, you could prolly snag this van for peanuts!

peter wrote:As far as finding a conversion van, I know of one particular numnut who's 1996 conversion van is in pretty good shape and simply needs a v-8 swap to be performed. This members' wife removed the old engine, but hasn't had time to complete the swap due to other obligations such as a full-time job and rasing the kids. The memeber himself could "theoretically" finish the job, were he to be equipped with the adequate knowledge and dexterity to perfom such a swap.
Who knows, you could prolly snag this van for peanuts!

Orrrrrrrrr-Peter you could....Tramper...........well pm sent.

peter wrote:As far as finding a conversion van, I know of one particular numnut who's 1996 conversion van is in pretty good shape and simply needs a v-8 swap to be performed. This members' wife removed the old engine, but hasn't had time to complete the swap due to other obligations such as a full-time job and rasing the kids. The memeber himself could "theoretically" finish the job, were he to be equipped with the adequate knowledge and dexterity to perfom such a swap.
Who knows, you could prolly snag this van for peanuts!

Yeah, I heard this same guy's wife just went out and bought herself a sweet little sporty '05 Mazda MPV van cause she was tired of waitin' on him. She won't even let him drive it! Tells him "go drive you own van!"

As for your comments Peter, I probably shouldn't be speaking for the person you are talking about, but I woud guess he would ask you to kiss his posterior..... But I'm just guessing.....

As for your comments Peter, I probably shouldn't be speaking for the person you are talking about, but I woud guess he would ask you to kiss his posterior..... But I'm just guessing..... [/quote]

Diplomatic...I vote for mdmead for secretary of state. Who will second it?

pengyou wrote:As for your comments Peter, I probably shouldn't be speaking for the person you are talking about, but I woud guess he would ask you to kiss his posterior..... But I'm just guessing.....

Diplomatic...I vote for mdmead for secretary of state. Who will second it?[/quote]




I'm not so sure, apparently he has a hard time closeing a deal... We already have a bunch of undone US projects all over the world...come to think of it, your right, he's perfect for the job! I'm behind ya all the way Matt!

LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!

Well...for posterior's sake...I should say that I appreciate all of - well almost all of ;) - your comments. I understand the idea about cutting and welding but I do not have these skills. If I make a mistake trying there there is no amount of duct tape that is going to help me. I think I will go back to the drawing board for a while on this and see what comes up.