Pop top for van

[T.Low]

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

[mattblackratbus]

Nice conversion, any inside pics..Cheers, Johnny

[mdmead]

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!

[dunedog]

.....oh,and yah!

[GEJ]

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

Pop top 001 600.jpg

Pop top 004 600.jpg

Pop top 006 600.jpg

T Low:
could ya do some daylight shots of the in and outside??.

[WVKayaker]

T Low:
could ya do some daylight shots of the in and outside??.[/quote]

What he said....looking kool so far

[T.Low]

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.

[T.Low]

[dafrogtoad]

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

[T.Low]

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!

Lets hear some reasonable guesses.

[dafrogtoad]

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

[T.Low]

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?

[dafrogtoad]

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

[astrozam]

$ 5800

[potskie]

That's so cool. I want one now lol. But I doubt 6K is in my price range.