1985 4runner poptop?

[Fedauto]

Hey everyone I am new to the site and thought I'd share a bit about why I am here. I am looking to take a year off of college to go on a long trip in my 1985 4runner. The route is not set at the moment but it is looking like a possible start in Novemeber from Seattle WA to Kodiak Alaska and then back south to the states working down to Cali and then over to Arizona, New Orleans, and up the East coast.

My first vehicle was a 1989 4runner that I rolled in High School. Last Novemeber I bought a stock 1985 4runner that will be the base vehicle for my exploring. If I need to I will set up a sleeping deck in the back and not modify the top at all but.....

I was wondering if anyone has seen or thought about a poptop conversion on a first gen 4runner. More specifically, does anyone know the feasibility of putting a Westphalia poptop on one. I would love to have the poptop on the 4runner but can live without if need be so any help for this idea would be greatly appreciated.

Also I hope that I am posting correctly. I figured this was a 4runner specific question but if I need to change my posting please let me know

thanks in advance!

 

[Howard70]

I wouldn't try a Westfailia style top, but you can always mount a Maggiolina on top.

Howard

 

[austintaco]

Welcome.

Its been discussed, but I have not seen one done successfully. Search under this category under "4runner camper" in "subject only" and you will find this discussed as well as threads on putting a campershell on a 4runner.

You can buy a 4runner shell for cheap or free, so if you have a donor Westfalia...go for it!

 

[Pskhaat]

...I have not seen one done successfully...

Key. I've seen some tent'ish cut-jobs aberrations, but it is a prime platform to build correctly!

 

[beachbumberry]

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/jeep-gon-build-thread-665127/

jeep cherokee westephalia camper build that came out well. if you built an internal frame in the top to support the weight, it probably wouldnt have any issues. i've thought of doing this my self on one if i could find one cheap enough

 

[austintaco]

I will have to read through the jeep thread later, but here's something to consider for what you want to do.
It won't be as easy as sleeping on the side of the road, but if you are pulling into a campground something like this might work, and its cheap:

here's a view from the inside of my truck:

I have not used it with the 4runner, but I probably will this Summer. Our system, after the first day, is to unload the tent. Set it up, and then unload the storage bins in the corners to hold it down. We slept in the truck, and the dogs slept in the tent area.
It got down to 18 one night, and with the heater buddy, we were still pretty warm.

 

[Fedauto]

Austin that seems like a pretty nice set up but I am trying to go with the fully contained idea.

Beachbum I started to read through that jeep thread earlier today on my phone and am about to check it out more in depth because that was exactly what I was thinking! too bad its on a Jeep but hey oh well that is the info I need.

I just need to find a cheap poptop now from a wrecking yard. I also think I might completely rebuild the back canopy. I am thinking full length side windows that hinge upwards and a rear door so I can eliminate the heavy tailgate and that stupid window

 

[expeditionist]

I can relate. I owned a 1985 4runner for 9 years and I always wanted to convert it into some kind of pop top camper. The vision I had for it was to use a slide in camper like 4wheel campers and modify the camper such that you could pass through the cab to access the sleeping quarters. This would also be ideal with a flip-pac camper if your budget allows it. To me that would be the perfect setup for a first gen 4runner. Would take some coin tho... and some creative modifications to truck and camper.

 

[Toyotero]

The 4Runner tops are very cheap. You could get one for $0-$50 and modify it to your liking. If it doesn't work out, you can simply put your original top back one. I've picked up two for free from craigslist in the last few years. It would be cool to build a convertible top into the fiberglass topper like the Jeep-a-gon got that AustinTaco linked to.

Also, you could more easily make a taller roof like some expo vehicles get... this is quite a different vehicle, but you could cut out and build a higher roof over the rear section (the fiberglass top area) similar to what this Cruiser has.

Another option, this fellow did a fairily easy mod that gives him a lot of space.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=626435&postcount=299

 

[4Rescue]

I've been dreaming of this since I first bought my 1st Gen... I'm looking into a second top to mess with adn I have a few other sweet ideas that'll go into it if I ever get a chance to do it...

honestly if you search you'll find ALOT of discussion about it...

Cheers

Dave

 

[austintaco]

If you want to be jealous, don't click on this link:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20165&highlight=4runner&page=2

go down to post #13:

If you search under pop up camper under "4runner" there are a few good pics of the broncos with such a setup and there is also a post that claims they saw someone convert a 4runner top with a Westfalia top added.

enjoy.