Building my own pop top (2 Viewers)

[greentruck]

Oh, I think you can have quite an affection for 80s and still cut a big ol' hole in the roof. Campteq doesn't seem squeamish at all about doing that in the pics I saw of the process.

I love my truck, but I'd love it even more with a pop-top.

 

[sfluke]

@LS1FJ40, let's just say: I love my FJ80 enough that I am going through all this trouble of building a completely custom RV into it instead of just getting a Tacoma and putting on a nice and much cheaper pop top camper... My car will not keep the stock look anyway, with a aluminum beast on top, it's not like the car will look stock anyway. No one will notice the hole

Living in the city my car barely fit into the garage, in fact I had to pull in in a certain way to make sure I don't hit the side rails of the garage door. This was with 3in lift & a baja rack on top, I'm hoping I'll still be able to fit it, if not, I'll have to start looking for new parking. I was very tempted for making this a design criteria but I rent my apartment, so most likely i'll just end up making a big enough of a garage a criteria for the next time I move...

@danadog, yes, I already have 300in of airline track (l-track) just need to figure out how I want to arrange them. Multi month trips in winter with skis and other gear means I really need the roof for cargo, as much as I want to avoid it, it's just not an option. I know from first hand experience that too much weight on the roof is a bad idea. I tipped over my land cruiser some time ago...

 

[sfluke]

Another small update. Getting ready to weld on the side profile that the tent will be mounted to and the top will rest on when closed:

I've designed it mostly with conventional angle & rectangular tubes to cut down on the amount of welding. The angle you can see stitch welded to the inside is the platform that the mattress will rest on.

On the photo you can see the driver side rear corner facing the side wall (the gap at the bottom is where the rain gutter would be on the car).

Now on to figuring out the proper gas struts.

 

[BILT4ME]

This is a great idea! Sharing your plans with everyone is also REALLY cool!

Don't forget about parking garages. There are times in your life you may need to clear a parking garage (hospitals, schools, shopping malls, public places) when there is very limited exterior parking spaces. If you have OBA, you can always air down to gain a couple inches.....

I recommend silicone sponge for seals and gaskets where needed. Don't knife-edge any angles or edges into the gasket as that will only cut it over time. Do flat surfaces where possible. Do extra lips for weather-tight since you'll be driving into wind-blown rain to force the water to have to turn corners before it gets inside the vehicle.

Good Luck!

 

[94L C8E]

any progress? - very nice looking plan.
- may i ask, how much labour time did it take the shop?

 

[sfluke]

@94L C8E I don't know about the exact estimate for the labour time. I'll ask next time I'm in the shop.

 

[sfluke]

I just got back from a vacation on a car free island. Being a few thousand miles away I spent some time not thinking about my crazy project, forgetting all about how I'm going to cut a roof into my car. But back to work... Barely being back for more than 24hrs, I went to shop today first thing in the morning to look at the progress so far and discuss the next steps. Attached a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Next steps for me:
* Figuring out what kind of gaskets are needed to waterproof the top
* Calculate proper sizing for the struts
* Get clamps that I can use to mount it to the rain gutter
* Install latches to keep roof shut when not in use

I'll add more details on it soon.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Magnificent, I see a new rear bumper in your future too. Perfect design for an awning on each side!

For clamps, these are what I and many use for rear tire swing aways. Very good
quality, zero failure rate as far as I know.
http://www.amazon.com/-STA-CO-341-R...qid=1439311098&sr=1-8&keywords=destaco+clamps

 

[rifleshooter]

WOW! Subscribed!!

 

[foeix]

Awesome work - both design and the fabricators. I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[Rudster]

Keep the pictures and updates coming. More pictures please. Coming along nicely.

 

[Weeniewheeler]

Magnificent, I see a new rear bumper in your future too. Perfect design for an awning on each side!

For clamps, these are what I and many use for rear tire swing aways. Very good
quality, zero failure rate as far as I know.
http://www.amazon.com/-STA-CO-341-R...qid=1439311098&sr=1-8&keywords=destaco+clamps

I will second you on the clamps. We build vacuum chambers (expensive vacuum chambers) where I work and our engineers are sold on De Staco clamps.

 

[Weeniewheeler]

Now all I have to do is figure out how to replicate this on my 100 series, Lola.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Now all I have to do is figure out how to replicate this on my 100 series, Lola.

I don't know, pay attention to this build, I think you could go home and build your own! J

 

[justbecause]

 

[yotasavg]

This is soooo awesome!

 

[Funner]

Please post some success on this build....bored

 

[gofast]

subbed too

 

[Teebo]

Looks awesome

 

[Zimbwanabe]

When I was your age I was pissing away my money on dirt bikes and beer. Glad to see a young man with his priorities in order! Nice job!