So I have finally bitten the bullet.
My first bus had a pop-top, and it was great, although after an incident where someone tried to 'hide' my bus under a low arch. I completely fell out of love with pop-tops. I said I would never have another one, especially having travelled around in our current one and being able to go into all sorts of car parks with height restricters.
Fast forward to now, and with two kids, we realised that a pop top was needed. We use an awning, but really want to have the ability to camp all in the van when just stopping for the night. Plus the added headroom will be a complete bonus.
A westy roof was an easy choice, although fitting was not.
I wondered if we should go for an early or late, and the larger roof rack was the winner for the early (and I just prefer the look).
Roofs are difficult to get hold of, and the prices of original on eBay are out of control!
In terms of fitting, I was split between an excellent garage (who built my engine, and I use for everything else) and Morecambe and Wize. I had looked at lots and lots of people, and Morecambe and Wize have done this conversion quite a few times, and they provided excellent photos of examples and answered all my questions. Their quotation was very detailed and open too. I drove my van up to see them (London to Morecambe in the driving rain - nice). They have a great set-up, and very clean and tidy.
Here are the photos they have provided so far....
Before the chop:
Measure 1 million times, then cut once:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5gJWk]
Roof cut and having the hole made good:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5gK6i]
Here we go, it's a pop-top for now, and a rag top in the future!
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5pMes]
Measuring for the hinges (made in-house at Morecambe and Wize):
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMUFyi]
Hinges on (this was a pain in the ar*e apparently):
[url=https://flic.kr/p/p8uieG]
Bed frame fitted:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMTtTh]
Time for the roof front:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMUFXp]
and back...
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5pMZL]
Before the top goes on, the canvas frame goes on:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMWoz7]
It's on and up! My new spoiler for turbo boost mode (and for the kids to sleep in):
[url=https://flic.kr/p/p8wXvX]
I'll post some more images next week.
My first bus had a pop-top, and it was great, although after an incident where someone tried to 'hide' my bus under a low arch. I completely fell out of love with pop-tops. I said I would never have another one, especially having travelled around in our current one and being able to go into all sorts of car parks with height restricters.
Fast forward to now, and with two kids, we realised that a pop top was needed. We use an awning, but really want to have the ability to camp all in the van when just stopping for the night. Plus the added headroom will be a complete bonus.
A westy roof was an easy choice, although fitting was not.
I wondered if we should go for an early or late, and the larger roof rack was the winner for the early (and I just prefer the look).
Roofs are difficult to get hold of, and the prices of original on eBay are out of control!
In terms of fitting, I was split between an excellent garage (who built my engine, and I use for everything else) and Morecambe and Wize. I had looked at lots and lots of people, and Morecambe and Wize have done this conversion quite a few times, and they provided excellent photos of examples and answered all my questions. Their quotation was very detailed and open too. I drove my van up to see them (London to Morecambe in the driving rain - nice). They have a great set-up, and very clean and tidy.
Here are the photos they have provided so far....
Before the chop:
Measure 1 million times, then cut once:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5gJWk]
Roof cut and having the hole made good:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5gK6i]
Here we go, it's a pop-top for now, and a rag top in the future!
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5pMes]
Measuring for the hinges (made in-house at Morecambe and Wize):
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMUFyi]
Hinges on (this was a pain in the ar*e apparently):
[url=https://flic.kr/p/p8uieG]
Bed frame fitted:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMTtTh]
Time for the roof front:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMUFXp]
and back...
[url=https://flic.kr/p/q5pMZL]
Before the top goes on, the canvas frame goes on:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pMWoz7]
It's on and up! My new spoiler for turbo boost mode (and for the kids to sleep in):
[url=https://flic.kr/p/p8wXvX]
I'll post some more images next week.
