High top conversion van owners

[snapple]

Have a few questions for high top conversion van owners...
Those that have tv/vcr,anyone convert to bigger lcd screens/dvd players?
Anyone ever try and hook up directv satellite ?Much hassle involved?
How hard is it to remove the custom stripe packages you usually find on conversion vans?
Looking at a '98 Hi-top conversion AWD.The only thing I also dont like,is lack of hauling space on the roof,because of the hi-top,kayaks,cargo box,etc.
Thanks for any input... :-k
Peace, Bill

[mdmead]

Have a few questions for high top conversion van owners...
Those that have tv/vcr,anyone convert to bigger lcd screens/dvd players?
Anyone ever try and hook up directv satellite ?Much hassle involved?
How hard is it to remove the custom stripe packages you usually find on conversion vans?
Looking at a '98 Hi-top conversion AWD.The only thing I also dont like,is lack of hauling space on the roof,because of the hi-top,kayaks,cargo box,etc.
Thanks for any input... :-k
Peace, Bill

I removed the TV from the overhead spot and built a floor console that fits between the seats, and also mounted a VCR in it. I found the TV too high for anyone to view comfortably from the middle bucket seats (where my daughter sat). At the time, LCDs weren't really available, (this was several years back).

Petey can talk to you about Direct TV and the like since he has it for his Tramper...

The longer the stripe are on there, the harder they are to come off. Mine were on for several years before I got rid of them. I used a lot of bug & tar remover and WD-40 to get rid of the stripe's adhesive residue. (I also had to use straight gas on some spots.) There is something you can buy specifically for this, but I've never tried it. The stripes pulled off best with them being good and warm. Cold, they just broke after peeling back a short ways. Too hot, and most of the adhesive remained. And finally, I noticed the paint under the stripes was darker since it had been protected from the sun.

For the roof, I built a special fixture to haul my canoe. It's been awhile and it isn't convenient for me to look right now, but I believe it is made out of 2x6s and a 1x4. What I basically did was cut the contour of van top into two or three 2x6s and spaced them evenly along the length of the van. (These run across the top, left to right.) I then connected them together with the 1x4 running front to back. (I think I notched the 2x6s so the 1x4 sat flush at the bottom. I then painted the whole thing gloss black and used black indoor/outdoor carpeting as padding on the bottom where it rests on the van's roof. This whole thing is free floating, but due to the contour of the van's top, can't move around much. And once the canoe is on top and strapped down, it holds the rack in place too. This probably sounds confusinig and I might be able to get a picture in a few days if you need it.

[snapple]

If you get a chance to post pics,I'd definitely be interested.I really hadn't thought of making a rack,was thinking of having 2 vans.My '94 just hit the 200,000 milestone,so I'm checking out more Astro's...
Okay,got another question.
How many hi tops out there with a lift?
Peace, Bill

[mdmead]

How many hi tops out there with a lift?
Peace, Bill

I'm working on it... Hope to get back to work on my van this spring as soon as the weather warms.

[kamenz]

Thule racks makes adapters to bolt on the side of the high top to which you than can mount a standard rack.

[kamenz]

Snapple,here is the link.http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?d ... 69&sku=542

[snapple]

Snapple,here is the link.http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?d ... 69&sku=542

Thanks for the info!Not sure this would work,due to the odd shape and contours of the hi top.
Plus it would be extremely high for loading a kayak.But again,thanks for the info,always willing to look at all ideas.
Peace, Bill

[potskie]

Well you could bust out some mild steel and a mig welder and do a custom rack. I was thinking something like the ladder racks I see around here all the time that hold the ladder on top but when you grab the rack and pull on it, it flips down to the side of the van to allow easy access to the ladder. I'm sure you could design something like that for kayaks.

[peter]

Quite honestly, I wouldn't bother with a satellite mounting position on top. Get yourself a tripod and use it on ground level. It can be a PITA to align the dish to begin with. Hanging off the side of my standard height Tramper makes it annoying.