Pop top for van

[kamenz]

$ 7200.Ouch

[T.Low]

$6k for the top only, w/out paint. Add paint, and a bunk.



Welcome to T.Low's School of Justification:

I ask myself, "T.Low, what would you pay for a room right here for a nite?"
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee25 ... ee_064.jpg

or here?
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee25 ... oads48.jpg



$75 a nite? $100? $200?

Since Easter, I've spent 25 nites (Jen just informed me that I forgot about 4 nites on our California trip) camping in the van. Say, in the next 3-5 years, if I camp 100 nites, at a lowball hypothetical figure of $75 dollars a nite for room with a fantastic view, with people I choose, in the setting of my choice, plus the adventure of getting there and the activities of that particular spot. 100 nites times $75 a nite equals $7500. Plus I still have a cool van with a pop top ready for the next adventure and nite number 101. Quality of life. Yeah, its a chunk a dough alright. But whats money for?

But then, I'm a bit of a strange bird. I picked up and moved from the midwest to Bellingham Washington just for the white water kayaking. And there is so much to see out here.

Class dismissed.

[kamenz]

There you go,I feel the same way.Tom I used to own a 89 Westy Syncro for 11 years,sold it to some guy in Bellingham.I still own the Astro but for comfort sake I bought a Tiger 4x4 on a Silverado chassis with a 5.7l engine.

[GEJ]

T Low-I don't know how pop tops work.Is it spring assisted,or struts,or by hand?.Once up I would think is has some sort of lock.Can you stand up-right with the top up??.You said something about a bunk,is that part of the top being added on?.Does the top add wt to the van??.Sure looks like for cruising no wind resistence is cool.The tiger GT models where pop-up style campers.Can you explain more about this add-on??.Congrad's on the purchase.

[mattblackratbus]

I ask myself, "T.Low, what would you pay for a room right here for a nite?"

those veiws are pricless, your van will pay for its self in no time, nice one ....Johnny

[peter]

I was betting on around $6k all together. I don't understand something though, from the pics it seems that you can't really stand up unless you're right at the front near the front seats. It looks (from the pic) like the OEM roof is still there.
I'm dying to see more pics so's to understand. It seems like this is exactly what you wanted, so congrats and hope you enjoy it!

[T.Low]

Thanks guys. I hope I don't sound defensive, its just that I have thought this out and researched it over the last year, and am working my way down my spreadsheet. GTRV cashed my deposit check back in the middle of April, and this is as soon as they could fit me in.

I'll get some better pics this weekend for illustration purposes.

Peter, they cut from the front of the van all the way to the pillars that seperate the rear windows from the middle windows. So the whole rear window area is still stock roof. When lying down on the bunk, my knees to feet take up that area. So with the bunk removed, ( unsnaps and slides to rear section, one can stand anywhere from that pillar section forward. You can snap the bunk up tight to the top so it sits way high over your head, or you can slide in into the backof the pillars section.

Try this. Stand on your rear bumper. I'm almost 6 ft tall. Hold you hand up as high as you can. Thats about how high the front of the top goes. Note how high above the roof line it is. Thats how much room there is to sleep in the bunk. Its very smiliar to my backpacking tent. Snug and cozy for two, roomy to stretch out for one.

I'll quit rambling and I'll try to video how the bunk works and post a link to the video on my photobucket page. Got to go to work to grow my recreational bank account again! Have a great three day weekend all!

[mdmead]

Welcome to T.Low's School of Justification:

Give us a break Tom!! Remember what group you are talking to...

Dean/Lockdoc's SAS van....
Peter's 502 small block...
Rebel's Vette IRS...
Nitropyro's & Darren's extensively modified vans...
And the list goes on and on to also include the more common V-8 swaps and etc...

We all know your 'justification' is just a figment of your imagination. (You have been getting by just sleeping in the back of the van....)

NOBODY here faults you.... Your addiction is shared...

You just have to be honest with the group. YOU WANTED THE POP TOP BECAUSE IT IS COOL AND DIFFERENT.

Remember Tom, you are among friends here....

[77bc]

^ post got a chuckle out of me!

[ihatemybike]

I call 1st dibs on Tom's van come time to sell.

(Hope I have the money by then.)

[Mongke Khan]

I just stumbled upon this today:

http://www.livingis.be/home.html

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Awesome Tom, absolutely AWESOME!

[WVKayaker]

Dan @ Overlands needs a pic of this van to display on his web page...

Tom...you never cease to amaze!

[mattblackratbus]

We need more pics right here 1st though Johnny

[T.Low]

Thanks guys.

Kamenz, thats a good rig combo for you for sure. Lots of destinations around this part of the world, and nothing like bringing your own bed with ya.

GEJ: Its hinge and strut system, lift by hand operation. Its an easy lift. Pull it back down and its three cam locks at the front of the top that secure it. It will have a lock (for the upright position) before I'm done with it, thats for sure. No it doesn't come with one. It adds less than 250lbs to the van. I haven't noticed any real difference in handling or driving.

Deano, Johnny, Aaron, Dunedawg, Mattblack, WVK, glad y'all like it.

MattMeade: My name is T.Low, and I'm an Astro van addict. I'm on the 12 step program; the pop top being step #8. You bring up very good points indeed Sir, thank you once again for your support.

We took 'er out for an overnighter shake out run, just up The 542 (Mt Baker Hwy). It was nice: Mt Baker is basically an hour from my house with only two traffic lights to get there. Easy drive, no real holiday traffic. With the new sleeper, we took out the Guacho couch and just used the back seat, leaving the middle open for lots of living space.

First we went up to Twin Lakes. The steep bumpy road keeps most tourists away. We went for a brisk hike. Then we drove unimproved Wells Creek Road into the night until it ended around a very chilly 9pm. Decdied it was too frikin cold to cook outside so we cooked inside.

You can see that the bunk is unhooked and slid back into one of its two stowed positions, while Jen cooks me a hearty little meal.