2003 Suburban 1500 Pop Top Conversion

[justbecause]

This deserves a front page write up like a rig named scout got.

 

[boll_rig]

I appreciate the kind words everyone! Kind of in awe myself that it all worked out. Hands down spent more time on this than any other project I've tried to take on to date. What is too many hours? 3,000? No real way to guess but it's a lot.


My battery died again today for the fifth time in a few weeks. Probably from running the lifts with the car off during all this time tweaking it the lifts. Got a new battery, the old one was a few years old anyway. Should be good to go for this two week test road trip.

Still kind of wish that the topper matched the car color and keep going back and forth on whether to paint just the sides to match. thoughts?

 

[rayra]

I say paint it medium gray (color of your interior plastic panels), but that's easy to say, I'm not doing the work!

similar gray to the sidewall canvas would really make it look like a commercial product

 

[boll_rig]

We'll see if i ever get around to it! For now I'm liking the tan.

Packing everything up right now and heading out on a two week trip. Will keep you guys posted on how she works.

 

[Saenzm]

Straight up dope! Nice work. Build one for me...lol Headed out to Big Bend in mine this weekend too.

 

[TroutByFlyCO]

Truly a nice job! Hands down this is amazing! Can't wait to hear how the rig handled the 2 week trip. What is your approximate weight rating for the roof? Just curious if you end up in a heavy wet snow and that thing turns you into a bol_rig sandwhich.

 

[Burb One]

WOOOW!! Great job! congrats!

 

[Oobray]

Add me to the construction list!!

 

[boll_rig]

Add me to the construction list!!

Hahah... not sure you could pay me to do it again.

WOOOW!! Great job! congrats!

Thanks Geno! How'd the liner come out? Real curious to see that thing in all its new glory.

Truly a nice job! Hands down this is amazing! Can't wait to hear how the rig handled the 2 week trip. What is your approximate weight rating for the roof? Just curious if you end up in a heavy wet snow and that thing turns you into a bol_rig sandwhich.

Thanks trout! Actually not sure what the weight rating is for the roof? Anyone know? Right now I have the topper which is 130lbs and the the actuators, hinges and unistrut which is about 70. And a surfboard currently. So, hoping that snow won't buckle it haha. good point though. Will definitely be shoveling off as a precaution but think I should be good..

Straight up dope! Nice work. Build one for me...lol Headed out to Big Bend in mine this weekend too.View attachment 363838View attachment 363839

Loving the look of yours saenzm! wheels are real nice!

The first few days of the trip have been great, the topper has handled just right under all the heavy 4x4ing i did in moab. Latches are somehow still tight and holding strong. Cant even express how good it feels to be up in the canopy on the bed waking up to a view like this.. great way to beat the heat with a book mid day too.

A few others from the spot

Parking brake... CHECK

 

[rayra]

Looking awesome! That view from bed shot is fantastic. Worth all the work.

 

[Mushin_Noshin]

Great pics!
I once put 12 sheets of 3/4 you AND 16 2x10 x 12 feet on my factory Yukon roof rack with n/p, I think your good.
Yep I was that guy....


Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[boll_rig]

Great pics!
I once put 12 sheets of 3/4 you AND 16 2x10 x 12 feet on my factory Yukon roof rack with n/p, I think your good.
Yep I was that guy....



Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

So far so good with the roof weight!


However I have already burnt out one actuator when the latch fell back on itself and held the side down and I couldn't see, it was dark as well. Wondering why the fuse didn't blow first but oh well already got the new one on the way. I was able to use the topper regardless with the help of a friend to lift the side once I took the actuator off. Was able to drill a hole in the unistrut to put a pin through to hold the hinge up. Worked great for the week in Big Sur.

 

[Tiki]

Amazing!

 

[Boneshaker]

Amazing build. Thanks for all the time to post the info..

 

[rayra]

lookin' awesome. Jealous of the camping time too. I've been driving into Santa Barbara / Carpenteria / Lompoc area the last few weeks (working on a bathroom remodel for my nephew), most I could manage was a 5min slow crawl of the loop at Refugio.