retro fit a pop up top to a camper

bembo449

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some of you will know that ive just bought a larger van with the intension of building a camper ( well at least somewhere to sleep ) im 6 feet tall so I was toying with retro fitting a pop up top , I realise it maybe a bit of a long shot but has anyone done this OR know someone who has , id be interested to know how it went / how successful it was ??
 

Frontstep

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I had a spell years ago of building campers, quite a few and found it to be quite draining on my time with other things going on.
A fixed raised roof is a better, quieter, warmer and dryer option.
As we used to call it "boating the roof".
There used to be off the shelf fibreglass ones available which insulated easily and were a bit more rigid.
They were easily fitted in a few hours.
 

noonboots

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some of you will know that ive just bought a larger van with the intension of building a camper ( well at least somewhere to sleep ) im 6 feet tall so I was toying with retro fitting a pop up top , I realise it maybe a bit of a long shot but has anyone done this OR know someone who has , id be interested to know how it went / how successful it was ??

I've done lots on VW T4 and T5. What van have you got? There is a limited range. Just VWs, Transits, Vitos, possibly Vivaros.
 
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bembo449

bembo449

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well ive spent a good while looking for pop up tops which I thought , considering how popular camper vans are currently , would have been a doddle ! not the case , the cheapest suitable one I could find was over twice the price I paid for the van itself o_O
 
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bembo449

bembo449

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I've done lots on VW T4 and T5. What van have you got? There is a limited range. Just VWs, Transits, Vitos, possibly Vivaros.
its a 57 LWB citroen dispatch pal , would appreciate any guidance you could give or point me in the direction of a useful parts place or anything really that will help me achieve my goal
 

noonboots

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its a 57 LWB citroen dispatch pal , would appreciate any guidance you could give or point me in the direction of a useful parts place or anything really that will help me achieve my goal
I guess you've googled all the suppliers. I just did, there looks to be just one supplier for Citoen Dispatch and they are £2000+. A firm called PoptopsUK used to do a cheap universal one but I can't find it now.
They are hard work to fit first time you do one but you really can't make a hash of it if you are careful. If you find one I'm more than happy to talk you through cutting out and fitting. I worked for Rising Sun Campers in Coventry for my last five years work before I retired, and still go in to help out occasionally.
 
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bembo449

bembo449

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yeah pal ALLLLLLLL of them , ive found a suitable item but its still over a grand :shock: , thinking of making one , oh did you ? brill , could be a massive help if your willing ?;););)
 

noonboots

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yeah pal ALLLLLLLL of them , ive found a suitable item but its still over a grand :shock: , thinking of making one , oh did you ? brill , could be a massive help if your willing ?;););)
I'll do my best with answering any questions by message if that's any use. Try calling some suppliers or fitters, they might have some shells or faulty ones knocking about that you could adapt. If you are going to try to make one a side opener is less involved.
 

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