poptop conversion

2012 · Post by **2012** » Sat May 27, 2006 10:13 am

i would like to cut the whole roof out of my 712 ambulance and install a full coverage poptop. i can build the roof (horizontal hard part) using decolite or baltec or aluminum but i'm bothered by the fabrique walls and support structure so far. i guess i could buy a sewing machine and create soft walls like my DREAM TRUCK here:

http://www.special-mobils.com/docs/port ... al_160.htm

but i'd rather find someone who has one ready to install!

it just needs to be LIGHT. i would go ahead and just build solid walls high enough so i can stand up in the back, but i also want to be able to drive it without rolling over.

is there anyone out there with nfo about this?

Lightningpinz · Post by **Lightningpinz** » Sat May 27, 2006 1:38 pm

Here are a couple of pics of Frank Smith's 712 with his pop up camper on top of the Massive steel rack he and Bob Raigan fabricated.
I think the name on tha back of the pop up is Maggiolina.

Frank if you see this, contact me and I will send you the pics of your son the father and his son. (you know the joke, it was yours)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/li ... 4fc455.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/li ... 258345.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/li ... 010023.jpg

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Sat May 27, 2006 2:10 pm

Here is two more ideas to mull over. The first link is like the VW Westfalia Camper poptops from 1980- mid 90's the late 90's to now the poptop is even more compact but will be harder to find cheap. The older ones can be found at junkyards for around $200.00 I don't know if you have ever seen the inside of a westfalia but the popup has a sleeping area that folds open for sleeping and closes so that you can stand at the tallest part of the top.

http://pinztrek.com/trek/PinzI712Kcool.jpg

Westfalia poptop pics:

http://betterbidcanada.smugmug.com/gall ... 667/Medium

http://betterbidcanada.smugmug.com/gall ... 079/Medium

Westfalia Stove sink fridge module:

http://betterbidcanada.smugmug.com/gall ... 759/Medium

This one isn't a poptop but you may still find it interesting.

http://pinztrek.com/trek/PinzI710Kcamp.jpg

Good luck, Miles

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sat May 27, 2006 3:17 pm

My dad used to have an early 80's ford van that had a pop top. If I remember correctly it was a torsion lift system and should be about the correct size for your project. Again a few phone calls to some auto recycling centers should yeild some good results. You might even be able to find a used one for under 1K and use the camper parts for part of the project and save some $$
Here is a link to a website that shows the newer vans with the top.
http://www.sportsmobile.com/

I think the van model was sportsman.

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:10 pm

check out the ebay auction item Item number: 8069192763
pop top westfalia VW van for parts.

2012 · Post by **2012** » Sat May 27, 2006 5:02 pm

yes! looks like sportsmobile has all the parts i need. here's what i'd like to copy:

http://www.special-mobils.com/docs/produkte/tanis2.htm#

sure wish special mobils stuff was available in the us. they seem to be doing everything i want to do.

also, there's this mog that uses electric liifts to raise the roof:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g57/e ... ptop-1.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g57/e ... ptop-3.jpg

how do you get your pix to show directly in this window like others here are doing?

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sat May 27, 2006 5:16 pm

check the avatar picture size, Just a little large.

As far as the pics in post go. Copy the .img link provided in photobucket and paste that link. The dial up guys won't like it much.

2012 · Post by **2012** » Sat May 27, 2006 6:06 pm

HEHE... yeah - large. lemme see...

that's a mars landscape we got from jpl and a pic i took of a burningman fish vehicle. could you tell?

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sat May 27, 2006 6:21 pm

Mars ... Northern Arizona can't really tell the difference.

David Dunn · Post by **David Dunn** » Sat May 27, 2006 10:57 pm

Endate

I've had a couple of popup campers from Hallmark RV over the last 14 years , http://www.hallmarkrv.com/index.html

The crankup mechanism is available , and used by several other manufacturers. My current camper has an electric lift mechanism for the popup ( I'm lazy, flip a switch and wait for it.

)

What is really nice about the Hallmark and some of the other popups made in Colorado is that the softsides are an insulated triple layer material. It would be another thing I would copy if I was to build a camper of my own.

Dave Dunn

2012 · Post by **2012** » Sun May 28, 2006 12:49 am

i looked at hallmark and outfitter. insulated is GOOD! and the roofs appear to be more the size of an ambulance box, compared to sportsmobile. sportsmobile has big windows, tho! and their preloaded roof supports look xlnt. i'll have to call'm all on tuesday. i have no idea what to expect.

thx for the ideas!

David Dunn · Post by **David Dunn** » Sun May 28, 2006 3:02 am

The roof is larger than an AMB's roof. The roof on mine is just under 7' by 14', with an a/c unit on top.

Ideally, buy a 712m and strip the rails and rear rollbar and built your own shelter that would be lower and lighter, and structurally sound for a pop top.

Dave Dunn

2012 · Post by **2012** » Sun May 28, 2006 11:19 am

yeah, i see those campers are way bigger than i thought. i think this box may still be a good base for poptop camper, tho. i'm told it's fiberglas, and the walls look so thick that they may be insulated. i can really cut and add and transform the thing anyway i want, probably, which is what got me started on the idea of cutting it down and adding a sportsmobile "penthouse" (poptop) to it. if it's some kind of super heavy stuff tho i'm gonna bum at that.

sure would be nice to actually HAVE an ambulance here and SEE these poptops, or just know more about the ambulance box materials and construction.

that's a thought, tho - i wonder if some poptop camper company somewhere would build a nice composite wall camper per my dimensions. then i wonder if it's possible to SELL my amb box. ok ok, guess it's time to use one of these things:

with:

whatever happened to that "furnitureknowledge" guy with the ambulance? there was an article re his aftermarket hardtop addition, among other things. seems like all refs to his rig have been deleted for the web! yikes! ok one more emo:

David Dunn · Post by **David Dunn** » Sun May 28, 2006 12:03 pm

Ya should hold out for a 712 with a workshop shelter..... An AMB box with a raised roof area and alpine windows.

It isn't likely any of the camper manufacturers would build a custom camper, and doubt that you'd pay the price for it if they did.

Weight is another issue, depending on how "fancy" you get, there is still only 3300 lbs available for the camper, contents and passengers in a 712....

Dave Dunn

2012 · Post by **2012** » Sun May 28, 2006 1:30 pm

workshop?! those are available?!

no no, i already bought the amb. it's in wickenburg, az awaiting an auto transporter.

also, i found http://www.baltek.com/products/decolite/decolite.html

i've been building roofs for my suburban outta .060 aluminum and it's workd gr8 but this decolite stuff is WAY lighter and already somewhat insulating, and stiff. i just need an education re gluing, fastening it together.

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