Expandable top Camber shell...Photoshop dream

[Dan Lee]

Expandable top Camper shell...Photoshop dream

So I've seen a flip/pac, as a guy who lives down the street has one, as well as I've looked at the sportsmobile. I asked a buddy who is pretty good at photoshop to throw something together for my F250 and this is what he came up with. It's a cross between the two, more rugged and weatherproof than a flip/pac in my opinion.

Where I camp is typically a day or two, and when the wind picks up the tent usually get's beat down and I sleep in the back seat. I don't own a shell at this point, but would consider purchasing one if anybody has advise on how I could make something like this become a reality. I would be interested in chopping up a used fiberglass top if I had some direction. I'm thinking a heavy duty canvas would be the trick and I could care less if it had any windows, more or less, just a way to gain clearance.

So....would ya? Could ya?

 

[Dale]

that is AWESOME!

 

[hikingff77]

So I've seen a flip/pac, as a guy who lives down the street has one, as well as I've looked at the sportsmobile. I asked a buddy who is pretty good at photoshop to throw something together for my F250 and this is what he came up with. It's a cross between the two, more rugged and weatherproof than a flip/pac in my opinion.

Where I camp is typically a day or two, and when the wind picks up the tent usually get's beat down and I sleep in the back seat. I don't own a shell at this point, but would consider purchasing one if anybody has advise on how I could make something like this become a reality. I would be interested in chopping up a used fiberglass top if I had some direction. I'm thinking a heavy duty canvas would be the trick and I could care less if it had any windows, more or less, just a way to gain clearance.

So....would ya? Could ya?

Dude it's totally possible. I've thought about doing the same thing to my shell. I also am trying to design a slide in camper with a pop top like a FWC but slighly different.

Good luck with your set up. I don't think it'd be very hard. Use Marine grade canvas, have some professional sew in screens and windows. I think if you just hacked a few inches below the top of the cab you could easily fix something up to work.

 

[Dan Lee]

well hearing I'm not totally nuts is a good start. I'm thinking of looking at some various shells on the used market. I can handle hacking up something I paid like $250 for vs. something that was like $1000.


I'm thinking for support, you could go with some aluminum frame rails and arms to make a reinforced frame inside the roof, maybe even something along the lines of an extending leg on an easy-up that would lock up in the "up" or "down" position since you would be cutting away at the structural integrity of a shell. That with some weather molding and some exterior fasteners to keep that bad boy from blowing off going down the road.

 

[hikingff77]

well hearing I'm not totally nuts is a good start. I'm thinking of looking at some various shells on the used market. I can handle hacking up something I paid like $250 for vs. something that was like $1000.


I'm thinking for support, you could go with some aluminum frame rails and arms to make a reinforced frame inside the roof, maybe even something along the lines of an extending leg on an easy-up that would lock up in the "up" or "down" position since you would be cutting away at the structural integrity of a shell. That with some weather molding and some exterior fasteners to keep that bad boy from blowing off going down the road.

Right. It wouldn't take much. You could build in some alum. brackets in the corners and have a frame go up in the opening attached to it, that would create the bed platform.

I love thinking of this stuff but don't know for sure if I'd ever carry through with it. Wish I had places to wheel around here that could be considered "expedition" style.

 

[TimW]

I been wanting to do the samething for a coulpe of yrs now too.

 

[Dan Lee]

I been wanting to do the samething for a coulpe of yrs now too.

get a shell and sawzall and I'll cheer you on.

My question would be
1. cut a center of the roof out
or
2. cut along the outer rim (more like a shoebox fit). By shoebox (a term I have learned while visiting boat factories) you would need a lip that would cover the top wider than the outside. Also adding strength for the lid that would be sacrificed.

Also thinking to secure the roof after it has been scalped off would be to use 4 hinges similar to holding on the hood of a jeep, secured on the outside.

 

[NorCalBronco]

I always thought this would be a great solution as well, and have looked at my shell with a sawzall in hand many a times

 

[FettsWay]

camper shell ceiling

Cool idea, it would be helpful to stand up in and change clothes if needed, and give nice ventilation.

I have often thought about cutting out that chunk of my camper shell roof and putting in a plexi glass ceiling so I could stare at the stars while falling asleep.

I really think you could find a decent used camper shell for your rig. I bought mine used for $250 and overpaid because I had a tough time finding one to fit my nissan. While searching used camper shells, there was alwasy lots that would fit ford, chevy, dodge trucks and priced less.

 

[jeepmedic46]

Very cool idea, :smiley_drive:

 

[dustboy]

I was thinking about doing the opposite, and instead of cutting the top off the shell, which would leave you with rigidity problems in the sides, I would build a scissor mechanism to lift the whole shell off the bed rails by 12". There would be canvas to fill the gap when open.

 

[Antichrist]

Check places that restore VW's. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has copied this.

 

[bahndo]

I was thinking about doing the opposite, and instead of cutting the top off the shell, which would leave you with rigidity problems in the sides, I would build a scissor mechanism to lift the whole shell off the bed rails by 12". There would be canvas to fill the gap when open.

Definitely thinking outside the box! I would say the only down side to your plan is that lifting the entire camper shell would require a substantial lifting mechanism that would most likely (but not necessarily) take up a ton of room. I think the initial post is on a good path, yes rigidity would be compromised but if it is only for camping and not going to have a rack on it or anything then it should be fine.

 

[bucketosudz]

I was thinking about doing the opposite, and instead of cutting the top off the shell, which would leave you with rigidity problems in the sides, I would build a scissor mechanism to lift the whole shell off the bed rails by 12". There would be canvas to fill the gap when open.

This idea is exactly what a company in Idaho Falls Idaho was doing for awhile. When the shell was lifted at each corner, two platform beds were extended to each side. I know of a guy in town that has one, I will try to get some pictures and information from him.

 

[UHAULER]

I have seen a very similar pop top on a mid 80's/90's dodge van at a self serve auto wreckers in Sacramento. I'm sure there are plenty in the pick n pull type wrecking yards all over the country.

Check places that restore VW's. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has copied this.