1st Gen Runner Pop top ideas???

[4Rescue]

So I mentioned it in another thread, but does anyone know of any 1st gen runner pop tops/camper shells that can bolt on in place of the factory top??? I think something like the XV-JP would be SO awsome on these trucks and they're factory ready for one as well. I know there was a guy who was starting something like this but I think he scrapped it...

So anyone know of anything? Got any Ideas? Let's see...

Cheers

Dave

 

[Clutch]

Dave, there was a guy who was building his own out of steel. Everytime I go looking I can't find. He was dropping in a Mercedes diesel, if my memeory serves me correct...he did how ever take a cherry ice blue 4Runner with 80K miles on it, and started hacking it up...anyone remember that?

Some help...

Won't an Eagle FWC fit? Or take a Wildernest, cut out the front of it, then reinforce the structure....and then....

I can see your 4Runner under a 'Nest...





Should of bought a Bronco, Dave...

 

[4Rescue]

...And then and then... My truck runs on and then... HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Yeah, it was a Merc Diesel, and he had a pretty ambitious build design, I was really impressed. I had heard that he scrapped the project in favor of something else... maybe I am mistaken???

What I'd really like would mabe be a sleeping cabin type pop-up, like a RTT tent only the whole rear cap size. That way the main cabin is devoid of sleeping kit, and I can still have a basket rackand my normal set-up up on top w/o the bulk of the RTT. Aditionaly I'd like to add some storage in the place of rear most side windows with inside and outside access and exterior racks. Maybe a big single slider window on each side for the rear passengers... This could get out of hand...

 

[Clutch]

Yeah, I still wish I had my 4Runner...

...dunno...the 'Nest on the Tacoma is hard to beat...

I always thought, having one of those Gem Tops with ambi doors and exterior tool boxes would be a sweet set up, graft a Westie popup on there...and then...cut the front out, for the Runner, make bellows for the gap...ahhhnd...then...

I think we are thinking of the same 4Runner...he got a new job, and doesn't have time to work on it. Maybe a phone call to take it off his hands...

 

[4cruzer]

I've been pondering this forever... and that Scout with the FWC really stoked the flames. I think I'd want to start from scratch and build a stout aluminum frame that bolts directly to the runner instead of converting a slide in. I'd do the pop-up like a FWC so you can still bring a kayak and store whatever you need to up top. I too saw that project with the diesel and have since tried to find it without luck. The interior of that one was definitely ambitious. I'd go a lot more simple. One thing I'd LOVE to have is a WIDE rear door with spare and fluids mounted that opens UP using big gas struts, creating a covered back porch. I've had some time to daydream....

 

[4Rescue]

Yeah, I still wish I had my 4Runner...

...dunno...the 'Nest on the Tacoma is hard to beat...

I always thought, having one of those Gem Tops with ambi doors and exterior tool boxes would be a sweet set up, graft a Westie popup on there...and then...cut the front out, for the Runner, make bellows for the gap...ahhhnd...then...

I think we are thinking of the same 4Runner...he got a new job, and doesn't have time to work on it. Maybe a phone call to take it off his hands...

Yeah, that is the kind of thing I'm thinking of(that canopy), and actualy, if I could get some kind of topper at all, I'd consider throwing on an RTT, but I don't know if anyone even makes something like that...

I'm kind of tossing around the idea of getting onother hard-top and tyoing with it. What I think is neat about this set-up would be that I could have a DD shell, and an adventure shell with all my ger on it.

I agree with 4cruzer as well about making a bolt on unit instead of a slide in cause I don't want to ditch my roll bar per say unless I make a custom mini cage.

Cheers :26_7_2:

Dave

 

[4Rescue]

Why not just pick up some canvas, and a tilt-topper kit??

*Well little more than that simple, but make a couple kits like the tilt-topper that's out of stronger materials, and then make the canvas side panel kit, that is button on, and can simply go in a storage bag for when not in use??

This way you can either just raise one side, or both.

Buddy in New Zealand did his that way, took alot of sewing, and fab/welding*, but when not in use his rig's daily-drivable, and when in use, is basically a glorified Wesfalia.

He even tied in a propane tank that's mounted on his rear bumper to power the heater and stove.

*Biggest hurdle was making the tilt/lift kit strong and usable, he used scaffold levelers, that bolted down to the bed, and to the underside of the top, using modified a modified Thule Professional Load Carrier to lift it up.

~Sorry no pics, and oh yeah, "Hi" this is my first post as a non-lurker.

Welcome man.

Honestly, I don't have the time or ability to sew canvas and make something like that, and personaly I want something that a single unit with as few moving parts and pieces as possible wich is why a topper unit that's modified to be open like the top that's on it. Although the idea of the tilter lid ala westfalia etc. does sound intreaguing doesn't it... All of this has my head swimming with ideas, but not too many of them are all that feasable

 

[slosurfer]

How about something along the lines of adding a vw van pop up on your stock top and build a camper inside.

Here's a thread that shows a vw pop up on top of a jeep scrampler
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1519

cut a hole in your top, brace it where needed and start building a camper setup with your rear seat removed.

 

[slosurfer]

I know who made it but I wasn't sure if he had it on here or not. I'm glad he did, because he only has info about the motor swap on his website.

4rescue, you may even be able to get a second top and use that to build the camper and that way you could put it back to stock when you didn't need the camper. I see the tops for 1st gens on craigslist all the time for not much money.

NorCal Born, my brain's spinning, I need to come up with some questions.

 

[Clutch]

4Rescue:

I have question for you, is it going to be worth all the trouble just to have a bit more headroom? I know all these truck camper popups are cool and all...but...what about just a plain old tent? If you hate putting them up, there are companies that make quick setup ones...the kind you throw in the air...and wha-la...you have a tent.

I was perfectly fine sleeping the back of my truck just with a plain ol' topper. My Wildernest fell into my lap for cheap. I thought of building it out, with a sink, fridge and cabinets...and then I thought for what? My regular camping gear works fine...why mess with it?:camping:

I was thinking about the Westie popup: Even if you grafted on a Westie popup to a 4Runner shell, the gained height just for a sleeping platform isn't going to be much, because the deck height in the 4Runner is shallower than the VW. I am assuming a hole would be cut in the 4Runner top, so you can stand up in it.

We have a Westie too, I can take some measurements if you like, to give you some ideas. Just let me know.

 

[Grim Reaper]

I picked up a top a year ago to do this:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236119

but now swaying to doing a utility type of set up.

Rather Diesel was the guy putting the MP diesel in and making the custom shell. He is here on EP but most of his build is here.
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/89-4runner-server-rack-old-pickup-cap-89882/
Unfortunately he ran into a time/money problem of some sort and it doesn't sound like the project will be finished anytime soon.

I have been trying to work out how to make a sleeping bunk. the issue is the length. The roof is too short. To make a 6ft bunk you would not have any access room from the cargo area up to the top unless it hang over the windshield. That sort of defeated my goals to stream line it to minimize wind drag. Back to sleeping on the cargo floor.

So now I am tossing around built in storage in the roof accessible from the inside for some of it. Some outside for shovel and recovery gear. Two kids so the side doors not an option since the back seat will still be used.

 

[4Rescue]

Honestly, I NEVER use tents on raft trips/camping etc, I'm a cot and tarp kind of guy...I also agree that my camping gear is just fine for me, A propane barbecue and my water jugs have gotten me through alot, so I'm not really trying to m ake it a camper.

My goal for something like this would be an integrated pop-up tent and some added storage in the from of those mentioned side storage bins.

As far as using a reguilar tent, I try to keep myself as far off the ground as I can seeing as here in teh NW it's always wet and getting wetter. I've woken up to small lakes in the middle of where we're all sleeping, and after a few beers and what have you, I hate setting anything up eh
When it's just me (and this is one of the biggedst reasons for wanting my accomodations to be a bit nicer) and were out say at our local whitewater games where were base camping it and must running he same runs for a few days, I sleep in the back of the truck and it's great. I'd really like to not have to take everything out to do it.

I've been really looking into building my dream platform/drawer system (and would still pronbably do something like that for orginizations sake) but I think it'd be ultra slick to have the truck for the most part appear to be stock, then have the top pop up for sleeping, and still have my basket rack right up there on top. I will be putting some concerted effort into getting a plan laid out here this week. Mostly I'll be taking measurements and seeing what kind of room/storage I'm looking at here. One fo the issues will be wether I use the tailgate, or try to make some of those ambulance doors fit (cause that would be awsome IMO)...

cheers All

Dave

 

[Clutch]

Hmmm...Dave...maybe a Magnolia hard top roof top tent? Either bolt your basket to the Mag, or slide it forward enough to squeeze the Magnolia behind it. The Magnolia will hang off the back though...and they are surely aren't cheap.

Ha.. you're making think when I had my 4Runner...loved sleeping in the back of that.

A lot of work, but, I love this guy's idea...thanks Grim, I always forget where to look..(I am book marking it now!)

 

[sami]

you could raid this Vdub for under $1k

VDub pop top on ebay

-Jason

 

[slosurfer]

check this out
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h...jekte/hdj100.htm&langpair=de|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

saw it on another forum and thought of you