Pop-top, definitively!

[FredVenne]

My turn my turn, I have a question too!!!

You will use the usual system for lifting the top up (shown on your photo). My question is, are you going to use struts as well to lift up the roof or have you thought of using something else. Are you going to lock the roof up as well? And last... are you going to put a roof rack on your poptop?

Thanks,

Fred

[lost2]

My turn my turn, I have a question too!!!

You will use the usual system for lifting the top up (shown on your photo). My question is, are you going to use struts as well to lift up the roof or have you thought of using something else. Are you going to lock the roof up as well? And last... are you going to put a roof rack on your poptop?

Thanks,

Fred

Hello Fred. I will use the usual Westfalia system, with hinges on the low side and the standard push bar that locks the roof up on the high side. I shouldn't have to worry about the weight of the top and the use of extra strut, since I am not planning on having a roof rack on the poptop. (I find L300 is already a non-aerodynamic design, I believe adding a roof rack would increase fuel consumption drastically...)

Backpacking in the past across Gta and South Mexico with 4 young children, I learned to reduce my gear necessity, and I keep that in mind while planning the Delica's new design. I'll use the extra space gained once rear ventilation will be taken off, to install some sort of removeable-damp-proof-tool-and-extra-parts-box underneath the car. Tools are heavy and I will try to keep heavy stuff low and prevent the gravity-center from being too high. I also want to put a retractable rack in the back for emergency tire (there is already an extra fuel/wvo tank in place of the tire underneath)

Falco, I appreciate your interest in my project, but sometimes I wonder if either my english is incomprehensible or if you ask questions without reading previous messages:

So you are keeping the same sun roof as the access hole or will you be widening it?

I will cut the roof of the L300 behind driver seat, and put (easely-removeable-with-some-sort-of-clips) bracing that will:
1) help prevent the van from folding in case of a rollover situation
2) support the foldable beds.
These bracings will be removed on day time camping only, while the beds will be folded upward. This way adults will be able to stand inside.

To your defense, I didn't erase the sun roof access on the previous sketch I posted...
No offense ;)
To answer your last question:

Okay, so what is your plan for the fabric? Will you be farming that job out or will you be keeping it in house?

There is a friend of a friend who specialized in fabricating new WestFalia tents and he is really interested in our project. I will be coming at our place to help us, in exchange of some money, and some beers!
Davy

[FalcoColumbarius]

Grins... yeah, I read that ~ it was the "The access will be from the center hole" that got me. That is really cool, Lost2 about the friend of a friend ~ palm grease (beer) is where it's at, to be sure. I am really looking forward to seeing the fabric designs, when you have them ready.

Falco.

[lost2]

Here is an update. Last moulding went bad: fiberglass cloth was not working as expected, so some air bubbles got clogged underneath it. Would be very bad on a boat that has to stay in the water all the time, but I will deal with it after making (lots of) touch ups...

We added hard wood parts to reinforce the whole structure. There are 5 layers of fiberglass with epoxy (6oz cloth/2oz mat/6oz cloth/2oz mat/6oz cloth). There is also BcFir molding close to the top for future installation of the fabric.

Davy

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[lost2]

5 more.

Have a nice day!

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[lost2]

Hey Falco, I've finally put the canvas on the top !

Here is a picture of it. I will post pictures of the interior beds quite soon.

I have different projects at work on my Delica, as you can see with the 2 last pictures. I am starting to have a real good overview of her.

Have a nice day,

Davy

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[jessef]

how did you reinforce the roof after cutting out the box section? I can't see any structural bracing.

nice job on the canvas

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hey Falco, I've finally put the canvas on the top !

Here is a picture of it. I will post pictures of the interior beds quite soon.

I have different projects at work on my Delica, as you can see with the 2 last pictures. I am starting to have a real good overview of her.

Have a nice day,

Davy

Looking good Lost2, I gotta see the beds! P25W just was made for this stuff, eh?
I see you're going with the minimalist cockpit theme... Keep up the good work and keep posting ~ there are people taking notes.

Falco.

[lost2]

I see you're going with the minimalist cockpit theme...
Falco.[/color]

Well, everything is back in place in the cockpit (and working!). I was fixing the front heater at that point: you have to remove a lot of stuff to get there. I also moved the window's control on the dash (where was the funny altimeter) because i wanted to get rid of the "island compartiment" in the middle between the front seats: it is always in the way when you want to get in the back from the front seats. (I'll post a picture later)

how did you reinforce the roof after cutting out the box section? I can't see any structural bracing.

nice job on the canvas

I welded rectangular tubing (1"x2"x0.100"thick) to fit the new opening and added removable bracing (square tubing 1"x1"x0.100") to hold the bed and structure. Her are some more pics.

Davy

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[jessef]

Great job.

Did you buy the canvas as a sheet or already sewn in the triangle pattern?

[lost2]

Well, everything is back in place in the cockpit (and working!). I was fixing the front heater at that point: you have to remove a lot of stuff to get there. I also moved the window's control on the dash (where was the funny altimeter) because i wanted to get rid of the "island compartiment" in the middle between the front seats: it is always in the way when you want to get in the back from the front seats. (I'll post a picture later)

There it is.

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[lost2]

Great job.

Did you buy the canvas as a sheet or already sewn in the triangle pattern?

It is all made "on measure" , it all started as a sheet and was designed on site by a guy who specialises in fabricating Westfalia's tent. He came with is VWO Scolar bus, modified into a mobile sewing workshop. His name is Pierre (search "AteliersPK" on Google). Didn't charge me a lot since I provided food and beer

I would have love to do it by myself, but time's running if a want to be ready for our january/february trip to Mexico.

[FalcoColumbarius]

How are you planning to get through the hatch? Step ladder?

[thedjjack]

I know when I cut my roof off it really added little strength to the van. It has a square frame around the van at the top. I added a little bracing in mine but not needed.

I can flex the van up on three tires and the back door still lines up fine and closes...

Looks great.

[vlixtor]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and planning to convert a Hyundai Grace Van similar to the one in the photo. My Van has a FiberGlass top installed, but is too low for me, so I am thinking of rising it about 20cm or making it a sort of pop top.

Can you give me the measures/schematics of the hinges you uinstalled? That ones are different from the photo you published some post before.

Thanks and best regards from Chile.