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Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:47 pm

Very nice!

Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:31 am

xavi_242 wrote: zundapp wrote:
Looking good Xavi. Can't wait to see the cots in there. I'll bet you can't either! :D

unfortunately the OG plaid is nou usable to sleep so I had to get a repro cot in a plain colour... :oops:

Oh....

well then I take back what I said.

:lol:
It's gonna look dynomite man!

Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:51 am

richardab1967 wrote: I intend to cut out the roof panel only as far back as the roof structure making a square westy turrett top sized hole with the dormy roof above. Anyone think there will be any issues with this?

Whatever floats your boat! :roll:

But why? :?

The Dormobile top is ALL about head room. If you are just going to open it up only as much for a Westy top, then install a Westy top. The square hole is extremely tiny and I can see serious issues just trying to open the Dormobile top through that little hole. Not to mention the telescoping spring loaded supports needed to help ease the opening/closing operation of it. Hell, installation alone is going to be a royal PITA without proper clearance and reach! :shock:

Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:29 am

pyrOman wrote: richardab1967 wrote: I intend to cut out the roof panel only as far back as the roof structure making a square westy turrett top sized hole with the dormy roof above. Anyone think there will be any issues with this?

Whatever floats your boat! :roll:

But why? :?

The Dormobile top is ALL about head room. If you are just going to open it up only as much for a Westy top, then install a Westy top. The square hole is extremely tiny and I can see serious issues just trying to open the Dormobile top through that little hole. Not to mention the telescoping spring loaded supports needed to help ease the opening/closing operation of it. Hell, installation alone is going to be a royal PITA without proper clearance and reach! :shock:

I mean a hole the same width as the dormy hole, starting at the same position at the front, but only going back as far as the roof beam. The aperture would be about 4 ft long instead of 6ft. The dormy frame can be placed in its normal position with slight trimming of the longitudinal flanges, with the props, hinges and cots all left as standard. I don't see a huge loss in not increasing the head height over the back section, I can't stand there anyway because of the rock and roll bed. The bunks will still work as they open out above the roof line.

I don't want a westy top because I need the bunks for the kids, I don't want to cut the structure, because I don't want to cut the structure, I can't fit belly pans as I have a water tank mounted under the floor and to be honest the way things are heading in the UK with vehicle modifications I don't want to do anything structural that isn't relatively easy to put back again.

Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:47 am

Xavi, can I ask what you did about the rusty hinge supports and strengthening bar on page one that look totally knackered. I have the same problem with my roof and I wondered what you did.

I also have lots of small cracks in the external gel coat , I'm just trying to weigh up the amount of work to put it right or whether I should look at getting a new roof cap from dormobile.

Regards
Richard

Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:57 am

very nice any final pictures

Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:06 pm

sslosbergas wrote: very nice any final pictures

no pics yet... didn't ended yet... sorry

today me and my father attached the front and rear alu trim to the roof. The vinyl looks pretty straight, just some creases. I also had to install the repro westy tent brackets so lot of work of measuring here and there...

I trimmed the vinyl and it looks pretty good. Now it only remains to do some screws in the long outer side and all the inner side... well and many many many other things.

Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:11 pm

richardab1967 wrote: Xavi, can I ask what you did about the rusty hinge supports and strengthening bar on page one that look totally knackered. I have the same problem with my roof and I wondered what you did.

I also have lots of small cracks in the external gel coat , I'm just trying to weigh up the amount of work to put it right or whether I should look at getting a new roof cap from dormobile.

Regards
Richard

Hi Richard,

I made a new hinge reinforcement welding 3 plates in a long bar... then carefully fiberglasses it (look at the hinge pics in page 3, you'll see the new irregular fiberglass I did).

A lot of hours in this project... once installed you'll se that it really worth the time, effort and money.

Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:20 pm

xavi_242 wrote: sslosbergas wrote: very nice any final pictures

no pics yet... didn't ended yet... sorry. Now it only remains to do some screws in the long outer side and all the inner side... well and many many many other things.

Yes, the small details seem to never end! :roll:

Though installing the top is pretty much the tough part, you are nowehere near done. Lots of details are involved before you can say "There! It is done, now let's enjoy it!" 8)

Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:48 pm

yes pyro I did the tough part... but still remains a lot of work...

riveting velcro straps, trimming headliner (with the cutting wheel ;) of course), installing headliner and plastic trim, installing turn-locks for the closing straps, cleaning bus, cleaning cabinets, refitting interior, cleaning curtains, paint stripping cot mechanism and bars, painting <<, installing cots....

sigh...

Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:55 pm

'S'oright Xavi. Your first campout is going to be awesome! :P

Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:23 pm

Xavi,

Did you leave your canvas a little loose all around? I am told new vinyl/canvas will shrink some in the first couple of years. I forgot to mention it before.

Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:13 am

yes I did... I think you or someone mentioned in this or another thread.

I can also move a little bit the hoops so if it shrink it can be adjusted.

Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:01 am

yesterday I trimmed the back wood headliner and today I'm gonna trim the front.

So I'll install the small turnlocks for the closing straps (front and rear).

My question is should I fit the leather strap really tight or just pull down the roof with the bars and search for a 'just tight' fit?

When closing top the hinge sides (both front and rear) didn't seat properly, maybe 1/2 cm gap. Then I have to go outside the bus and help the to to sit properly... is this normal?

thanks

BTW I'll post some pics soon... ;)

Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:09 am

xavi_242 wrote: yesterday I trimmed the back wood headliner and today I'm gonna trim the front.

So I'll install the small turnlocks for the closing straps (front and rear).

My question is should I fit the leather strap really tight or just pull down the roof with the bars and search for a 'just tight' fit?

When closing top the hinge sides (both front and rear) didn't seat properly, maybe 1/2 cm gap. Then I have to go outside the bus and help the to to sit properly... is this normal?

thanks

BTW I'll post some pics soon... ;)

Just attach the turn locks so that the straps slip over just comfortably. No need for tight or even to pull on the strap to hook & lock it. I feel the top should be able to move a little as you drive down the road.

Please post pick of the top fit issue. I am not understanding the problem.

Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:04 am

I installed a dormy top in a 63 EZ camper (most of the cutting and tacking done by a professional metal guy) and we moved the support back and retacked it in at the back of the opening for more support (Pyro, you gave some advice on this - thanks).

Don't want to rehash anything, but with a smaller opening, I'm still wondering how you'll be able to pull the rear down or latch it in the up position - it takes two of us to do it quickly with a full opening. Another thing is that a bigass opening is the primary benefit of that top -- it's just huge. Tons of space and you don't have the roof just above you when you're sleeping. Too bad about the belly pan issue. Good luck!

Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:02 am

yesterday I ended at 3:00 am... finally the top is done :)

well it only remains to paint cot frames and install them... but this will be later... I'm tired of working after work every day for 2 weeks... :?

I'll post a bunch of pics tonight but here you have a teaser... :)

Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:11 am

WOW! That looks great. :D

Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:49 am

wait to see the whole pics... ;)

that's me driving the bus this morning going to work...

8)

Fri Apr 30, 2010 5:52 am

Wow that looks amazing, i love the shot lit from the inside.

Hats off to you, you don't mess around do you. Enjoy your first camping trip.

......right now where is my cutting disk!!

Regards
Richard