CaveVan Forum

VW T4 "Eurovans" => Westfalia => Topic started by: Lugboot on May 21, 2015, 01:56:26 pm

Title: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Lugboot on May 21, 2015, 01:56:26 pm

How far back from the top center of the windshield is the roof cut to install a pop top?  What is the measurement?

Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Cole on May 21, 2015, 09:19:04 pm

Do you have all the top framework? Use it as a templet. ;)

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Lugboot on June 01, 2015, 10:00:41 am

Nope--looking to determine how much a factory sunroof is going to complicate the process before moving forward.

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Cole on June 01, 2015, 10:06:52 am

Quote from: Lugboot on June 01, 2015, 10:00:41 am

Nope--looking to determine how much a factory sunroof is going to complicate the process before moving forward.

The poptop latch lands right in the middle of where the factory sunroof is. So you would have to weld sheet metal back into the roof to make a factory sunroof van work.

The latch is about 15" back from the windshield and the edge of the opening is about 20" back.


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8889/17557341383_fc100edd43_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Lugboot on June 02, 2015, 06:15:18 am

Thanks for the pic!  So, does the 15" measurement correspond to where the roof is cut?

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Cole on June 02, 2015, 08:48:38 am

20" is to where the roof is cut.

15" is to the latch. Which is a hole and steel frame attached to the sheet metal. Which you won't have a space for with the sunroof.

The poptop isn't simply a top on hinges. It's got a whole steel substructure  that those hinges (at the back) and latch and lift bars(at the front) interface with.

The front piece of that steel structure spans the width of the front cabin and is about 10" wide at its narrowerest point. The front section glues, bolts and rivets to the sheet metal above the driver/passenger seats. Sheet metal that the sunroof van doesn't have due to the sunroof opening.

I'm sure if you had a donor van and some quality sheet metal autonbody skills you can make it work by grafting a section of roof sheet metal on.

You really need an entire donor van to do the swap right anyway. But the extra body work may be a huge additional chore.

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Cole on June 02, 2015, 10:25:36 am

I just pulled the tent off a van (van is going in for paint)


Here are a couple quick pictures. Sorry they are dark.

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Lugboot on June 03, 2015, 09:44:39 am

Thank you, Cole, for the detailed info and pics.  And sorry I kept beating a dead horse, apparently! 

This reinforces my desire to get rid of my current van for one with some flexibility.

Title: Re: Tin Top to Pop Top Conversion Questions
Post by: Cole on June 03, 2015, 03:56:12 pm

No worries. Let me know if you need anything else......other than a new van;-)