I want a Flip Pac.........on my 4Runner!

[4RunAmok]

Yes, it would include cutting some of the roof out to gain access... But essentially a bolt-on and seal application.

Thoughts?

Product already exists, I just don't know it yet?

Some minor details...

• It would mount to the 4runner where the roof rack rails mount now.
• Possibly two models? Full-length roof and short-length for sunroof.
• To avoid a reduction in structure strength, this would not be an open space like existing opened flip pac's, the opening would be large enough for a good size person to get up into the tent area, which of course would also have to be a reduced size tent.

One can dream...can't one?!

 

[CYi5]

I see getting in/out as an issue unless you had door poppers for the rear hatch .

 

[4RunAmok]

See?

This is why I asked for thoughts...

It's a good one too! Exit via a side door? Assuming you have the seats down? Or yes, install a door popper on the inside of the rear door.

 

[Owyhee H]

I have been toying with the idea of a Maggiolina on my 4runner, but I am mating it to fiberglass, so that would be easier. I think you could do something similar bt wont have nearly the room of the flippac.

Try something, life is an adventure.

 

[4RunAmok]

Trust me, if I could sew a tent, make a frame, work with fiberglass molds and gel-coats, I would open a shop for these tomorrow.

But I can't.

 

[Louisd75]

Not necessarily a flippak, but what about the pop top off of a westfalia vanagon or junkyard vw bus? I just don't know if the dimensions would work out since I think the vanagon stays wide higher up on the body wheras the 4runner tapers towards the top. Access would be through the sun roof using the seats as steps?

Louis

 

[4Rescue]

Get a 1st Gen and build somethng simillar to what (AW DAMN I forget his name now!!!!!) but he used a flipac on his Ford Ranger... EDIT: AHA!!! SafariPacific (such a SICK build, esp on a seldom seen Ranger, ALMOST makes me want to own a Ford eh ALMOST...)

With the 1st Gen you've got a built in mounting system AND a pass through. As an added bonus you get a Leaf spring rear suspension to handle loads...

I guess I'm kind of confused as to what you're talking about. Are you going to remove the roof somewhat and graft onto the top??? What if you grafted an Autohome RTT onto your roof and then you could just crank it up and it would somehat look like a real roof to your truck... Maybe that's not what you want though...

I can tell you that there is NO ready made product for this out there AFAIK. Still, gotta start somehwere eh

I LIKE where you're going with this, and belive me, I have GRAND dreams of using a 2nd top on my 4Runner and making a Flip open Tent that folds out (still ot set on my direction yet. I think to one side qwould be sweet or over the back to make a covered "porch" as it were wiht the sleeping area being in the upside down roof and having the open area to stand up in in the truck...) There was an AMAZING 1st Gen that a guy was building but just stoped for reasons unknown to me...It was even to be either OM-Merc Diesel powered or a 1KZ-T toyota diesel :drool:

let us know what you come up with

Cheers

Dave

 

[4RunAmok]

The problem with the Westfalia top is the size... It's larger than the top of a 4runner, mainly way too long. Remember, I want to keep my sunroof, and a flip pac would have much more interior space than any crank-up topper.

There are too many problems with 1st and 2nd gen 4Runners to list... 3.slow being one, 22RE being another! lol! I LOVE my 3rd Gen.

I wish I could draw out in Photoshop what I'm thinking, but essentially you have it..

Take a flip pac topper, narrow it, shorten it, and chop off the top most portion and then glue it and screw it to the 4runner.

Just behind the sunroof, would be a slightly slanted surface, with the hinge across it half way up.

This pic is the best I can do at the moment

 

[corax]

I've heard of a few attempts on 1st gen 4runners since they have the removable rear fiberglass, but none on later 4runners. It would take a bit of hacking and sealing and in the end it might be easier to outfit a pickup instead, although I've started to see a bunch of 2nd and 3rd gens with the rear roof cut off like this. Just extend the cut through the back doors and weld the door skins.

Here was one idea for a flippac on a first gen, but I didn't see any progress lately
tanglefoot has a pop-up on his -> here

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Join the club honey, I've been wanting something like this for a while. I harass the folks at Ursa Minor here whenever I can to start doing their Element conversion on other vehicles. I'd much rather have the pop-top than the flip top.

It just kills me that there are several companies in Europe doing this very thing, but no one in the US. Are we all just supposed to give up and spend $250k on an RV??

 

[JCMatthews]

Phoenix?

Have you looked into Phoenix pop ups? They are a little pricey, but they will put a camper permanently in the back of the 4 runner. They have done it on late model cruisers.

 

[Ruined Adventures]

I sent the folks at Flip Pac an email asking if they'd be willing to do one for a 1st gen 4Runner...

dianne@flippac.com said:
Hi, my name is Diane. im the flip-pac sales representative. I'd be glad to help you if you give me a call at 1-800-327-5836 m-f 9-5 . these are our current prices for Flip-Pacs. if any customizing is necessary (ex. non standard truck bed) , then there will be additional charges.

All mini-bed trucks (<6' box-size) - $3850.00 + tax

All short-beds ( 6'6" box) - $3950.00 + tax

All long-beds (8' box) - $4250.00 + tax

:Wow1:If you've got the funds, I suppose anything's possible

 

[nwoods]

You should try the guys at e-camper. There are slightly more 4Runner's out there than Honda Elements. I'm sure they would like to make a product with a wider audience......

 

[4RunAmok]

Refusing to break away from the flipping aspect. I want to KEEP my sunroof.

That Element thing looks AWESOME, and in fact the entry where the girl in the video releases the rear clasps (with pull straps?) is exactly what I envisioned for the inside of the 4runner...

But I think I want to abandon that idea.

With my OasisII, I use a nice ladder to get inside...from the rear of the truck.

So... Using that picture I added in my previous post, the entry could be from either the side or the rear. (or both!)

To mount this unit, you would NOT remove the roof rack tracks from the truck, but the unit would still cover them, held down pretty much the same way Yakima cleats are mounted to the track, two bolts, six mounting points.

You would no longer need to cut into the top of the 4runner. Entry would be from the outside of the tent, much like an OasisII.

 

[18seeds]

what is the size of a 4runner roof?

DSW4x4 and i are meeting tomorrow to look at some 80 series to do something similiar