The installation would be different for every van and for every op top but i think his instructions are general enough to give you a foundation to install your own. By mark morris diy mods van living.
Building The Extended Roof For The Van Phase One Simply
Diy van roof extension. The idea was to make a frame cover it with22 plywood anchor it the van with screws fill the voids rear corners with spray foam red cans that cost about 3 at a hardware or building supply store coat this with laminating resin fiberglass over the corners and edges of this structure first with 1 12oz fiberglass mat then over the entire structure with 10 oz. First step though is finding a suitable top. Yes but we recommend loading no more 200 lbs. Building the extended frame. Still some have attempted it and some have even accomplished the feat. A few of these projects are listed below.
Building your own pop top is a hefty undertaking that first cut into the roof of your beloved van will bring your heart into your mouth. There is more than one way to achieve. Heres how to properly line up and cut your hole to accommodate your fiberglass raised roof van top. Can a roof rack be installed. Our diy van high top design derins approach was to have a metal fabricator cut out the top of the van weld an extended tube steel frame on then side that somewhat like a house. Use a roof rack for kayaks surfboards solar panels etc.
We put the studs on 16 centers with a 5 degree lean to make the walls of the extension match the curve of the van. Some rvs can be out of reach for many would be weekend warriors. Given the price of pop top installation from the companies above you could save some. Yes all of our van tops have some wood reinforcing in the ceiling. If you have a passenger van the rear seats and rear headliner must be removed. You wont believe how easy it is to raise the roof on this ford van.
If youre comfortable cutting a hole in the roof of your van you should be able to install a high top yourself. Ive seen the most success with wreckers yards pick your part locations. Raised roof van conversion starts by making a hole in the roof. Looking at the extracted roof on the ground while matt makes a precise cut around the frame. The making and fitting of the elevating roof on my vauxhaul vivaro camper van low profile keeps the van under 2 metres high. Wanting to save money this alaskan converted a sears van into a camper with extra headroom.
We figured if 24s are good enough for a house they are good enough for a van. Can solar panels be added to the roof. As with anything used check craigslist local wreckers yards and van specific forums.
Gallery of Diy Van Roof Extension
