80 Series High Roof (or High Top) Idea

[Shahram]

As with many of the 70 Series campers we drool over in pictures, I decided to see what an 80 Series would look like with a high top roof conversion. I've been playing with this idea for a while, converting the 80 to a small camper with two front seats and one rear bench seat that folds out into a double bed, placed over a drawer storage system/pullout galley, with storage and a table-top on the other side. The system would be removable to allow for the transport of a motorcycle or larger cargo.

I GIS'd a high-top VW Vanagon, then removed the roof and placed it on the top of my Cruiser in Photoshop. Tweaked the dimensions a little, and the angles aren't exactly right on, but the idea is there.

What, in your opinion, would be the major pitfalls of a high top roof conversion?

 

[ArmyFJ]

If I saw that I would slash your tires...I just dont like the look, but to each his own.

Matthew

 

[suprathepeg]

If it was a little lower or a popup system it would be better. Still I like itl

 

[Shahram]

Yeah, I'd agree that it might not win any beauty contests, but it might be functional, and with me, form always follows function.

I'm the guy that wears flip-flops to your wedding.

 

[KliersLC]

I like it, but would you lose any structural rigidity with the roof cut like that? I assume that the Vanagon top is made purely of fiberglass, so not much help there.

I am not sure what the ramifications of this would be, but it seems that if you got it off road a bit, the sheet metal would flex a bit, and separate from the fiberglass.

 

[ginericLC]

Structural problems can be overcome. My big beef with doing something like this is the change in center of gravity. I'm surprised Kliers didn't object to raising the center of gravity.

 

[ArmyFJ]

Yeah, I'd agree that it might not win any beauty contests, but it might be functional, and with me, form always follows function.

I'm the guy that wears flip-flops to your wedding.

I have been trying to find that guy to slash his flip-flops...

 

[Shahram]

I am not sure what the ramifications of this would be, but it seems that if you got it off road a bit, the sheet metal would flex a bit, and separate from the fiberglass.

A-Ha!

Yeah, you're right. Anybody know what they make the high-roof 70 series campers out of? Maybe structural "ribs" in the fiberglass would help it some.

I don't know. You make suggestions. You make them now. Now, damn you!

 

[elysium]

Structural problems can be overcome. My big beef with doing something like this is the change in center of gravity. I'm surprised Kliers didn't object to raising the center of gravity.

Would that really raise the center of gravity? Absent a suspension lift or body lift, Seems to me that most of the heavy stuff (frame, tires, engine, etc...) is still at the same height. Can' t imagine that the top would add too much weight.

Anyways, I dig it. Looks a little puffy, but we need folks to do different stuff to their rigs.

 

[KliersLC]

Structural problems can be overcome. My big beef with doing something like this is the change in center of gravity. I'm surprised Kliers didn't object to raising the center of gravity.

Welll........ I've been driving the LS 400 for the past few weeks, and it tends to eliminate concerns about COG....
What would you do about the structure?

Would that really raise the center of gravity? Absent a suspension lift or body lift, Seems to me that most of the heavy stuff (frame, tires, engine, etc...) is still at the same height. Can' t imagine that the top would add too much weight.

Anyways, I dig it. Looks a little puffy, but we need folks to do different stuff to their rigs.

You are correct that the heavy components are down low, but thing about where the pivot point is. All of that stuff moves via the springs. Most of the heavy components are low, but still above the lower spring mount.

Think of it like this. You have tiny Tim on the end of a teeter totter, and Bubba on the other side, but close to the fulcrum. Tim is able to control Bubba as long as Bubba stays put, but if Bubba starts moving around too much, he takes Tim to the cleaners. This is your stock 80 series.

Now, with the extendo top on it, you still have Tim and Bubba, but now you have tiny Todd on Bubba's side all the way at the end of the plank. Tim can still control them, but with Bubba and Todd working together, they can launch Tim off the freakin playground.

Additionally, driving in the wind with that would be a nightmare......

no more so than a vanagon, but still a nightmare.


Personally, I'd go with a pop up unit--It would keep your gas mileage from falling into the "hole in the space time continuum" category.

 

[hks3sgte]

I think something like this is a lot better... keeps the roof low when driving and opens up when needed...

 

[KliersLC]

I think something like this is a lot better... keeps the roof low when driving and opens up when needed...

Exactly.....

 

[cpg]

I like this

 

[Jomama]

I dont know how it lines up with the 80 series roof line, but my friend put a VW pop top on a 60 series and it looked like it was made for it ... It was the style VW top that actually has a mattress up top, not the hammock system.. He's far more crafty than I tho, not a fab project for those with limited skills..

 

[tech_dog]

Back the the original solution...

It looks LOUD.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Anyone have any information on the wheels in that pic?

 

[parabola]

Seems that would also quite negatively affect your mileage... permanently.

 

[Kona Joe]

I think something like this is a lot better... keeps the roof low when driving and opens up when needed...

I REALLY like these clean looking Cruisers, without the wheel flares. I also like the idea of a pop-up type camper, versus the permanent bubble top. Below is a link to some very high end vehicles/campers....my dream motorhome. If you scroll through some of the trucks, you can get some ideas on the pop up type I think would be cool. Please don't flame me, I know we are talking apples to oranges in terms of size, but the idea is that if you were to take the photo above, and simply raise both ends of the tent, versus the one side, I think that would be pretty cool. That way you wouldn't have the bubble sticking up all the time.

http://www.unicat.net/en/index2-Individual.html

Also, if you didn't necessarily want full stand up area for the length of the tent, you could get away with cutting a smaller hole in the roof.....only one large enough to gain access to the sleeping area.....like the Uni-Cat's.

Bottom line, I like the idea, but not a permanent bubble top, maybe something that you can raise up, when needed.

 

[-Spike-]

I think something like this is a lot better... keeps the roof low when driving and opens up when needed...

Think how easy it would be to start a campfire with this thing! The bellows from hell!

-Spike

 

[97lexus]

I have been trying to find that guy to slash his flip-flops...
F%$#@!G helarius!