westfalia style hinged pop up

[Itsavanman]

so that is whats slated to go on top of my econoline, but most of the van pop ups I see now are the straight pop up style, is it just because it gives more headroom for the whole van? or is there another reason for not doing it like the westy's did? the reason it makes more sense to me is I can build it from scratch using a set of springed hood hinges and add lift struts for some extra lifting power if needed without having to buy specialty lift mechanisms and such, plus its manual so there is nothing to fail like lift motors and such. but other than the head room thing, is there any other reason why not many vans are using that style anymore?

 

[Vegasrandall]

westy's are that way because they ripped off the pop top patent. the only way they could get around it was to hinge one end.
pop tops were a american invention.

 

[4x4BNB]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2XkUvYn-T0M



About 1:30 into it....

 

[KA5IVR]

FYI
Westfalia hinged up from one end. Sports Mobile conversions popped straight up.

 

[Haf-E]

FYI
Westfalia hinged up from one end. Sports Mobile conversions popped straight up.

The early split window westy pop-tops did go straight up - although they were smaller and only allowed standing room not sleeping.

There were other VW bus converters who made pop-up types tops - many were fitted to VW busses which had westy "weekender" interiors - so the owners are sometimes confused - thinking its a "real" westy. One was located here in Vancouver WA.

I doubt there are any real patent issues involved here - poptops have been around for a really long time and can be done in such a range of ways that it would probably be fairly easy to go around any patent.

The hinged at one end "tilt up" type seem to handle windy weather better and can be a sweet setup for mounting solar panels and getting them at a good angle when camping too. The straight up type can be better in the rain though as they often allow for a drip edge overhang keeping the canvas more dry...

Its all a matter of trade-offs.

 

[Haf-E]

Also - since the VW bus has an engine in the rear - the only standing area is in the middle under the "high" end of the angled pop-up. With an american type van with the engine in the front, a straight up type pop-up gives walking area throughout more of the van.

 

[Abitibi]

Inspiration for you

(Pictures borrowed from SMB forum...)

As for the Westy style not having the same headroom as the straight one I kinda disagree unless you're 6'6" as the lower part is still raised a good foot at the lowest point (maybe less on the eurovan as pictured above) so it'd be a very limited factor...

Good luck with the project. I almost bought a '84 Westy roof (cheap at $150 complete) but my roof is flat and getting a proper fit was more work than I was willing to do considering everything else I have to do!

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[4x4BNB]

I like those work lights. Anyone know where they can be obtained? Whelen, maybe?

 

[Itsavanman]

yeah, thats about what I'm doing with a few other tweaks I haven't seen yet.. the whole "walking room" thing though.. really? its all of what 5 feet? this all started because there is going to be a fridge and counter in the middle of the van behind the drivers seat, and while the 'glass top adds a foot or so ya still have to tilt your head, thats annoying.. I want to be able to stand completely upright while inside, then some other things came to mind while doing the pop up conversion in my head. they will soon see the light of day those work lights are on the pop up i am chopping up today.. any RV store should have them...