Pop top hinges - dimensions and designs

[PinkPig]

Greetings from the UK.
You guys seem to have a number of threads regarding poptops and campers - been very useful reading and research - many thanks.

I'm in the process of designing some hinges for a front hinged/rear lift home made poptop roof for the pig (L300, low roof, swb)

It will be similar to the below:-
http://www.delica.ca/forum/download/file.php?id=11301
http://www.delica.ca/forum/download/file.php?id=9429
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/369 ... 5a2a_o.jpg
http://111kuroyanagi1.files.wordpress.c ... n-160k.jpg


I've made a few prototypes out of stiff card to test the angles etc, but can't find a good clear picture of the real thing.
What I'm after is dimensions/design of the hinges so when I get them fabricated I'll know they'll be strong and durable enough.

Anyone got a pop-top or know an owner I can contact to ask for some pictures/measurements?

Any help gratefully received
Roger

[Slimdog]

Don't know much about the subject but I have seen other people use VW Westfaila pop top hinges.

I don't think you need to get some fabricated. You should be able to buy some thing that will work for you over there.

Good luck

[jessef]

Roger, contact Ari (after oil) http://www.delica.ca/forum/members/after-oil-1159.html

He has an L300 poptop and I'm sure with a little coaxing, he'll give you the measurements.

[FredVenne]

Have you got an answer? If not, I can help you with this.

Fred

[PinkPig]

Thanks for the help - I'll follow up as suggested.

So far in the UK I've not found anywhere that has westi hinges in stock and the only price I found for some out of stock was about $200 of your dollars...

If anyone knows a westi stockist with hinges let me know please - may save the metalworking.

Many Thanks again
Roger

PS: here is my project thread on the UK page:
http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37252
All deadlines missed obviously!

[thedjjack]

Go with Westi hinges...I got the whole roof off a Westi for $200 I cut the steel roof and all parts above the side windows and drove away with it.... find a breaker and get the hinges.

LOST2 has done this is and is driving to Mexico with his family at the moment:
http://www.delica.ca/forum/pop-top-defi ... 11110.html

I started poptop and went hitop fibreglass roof. If I did it again I would do the HITOP. Easy to seal, extra storage (bedding, cloths, etc..) stand up all the time give up about 1.5 feet of clearance. Never have to dry the tent, warm in winter...LOVE IT. Oh and I forgot easy:
2 hours take high-top off, approximately 30hours cut, fit, install, and finish inside.

Here is my build:
http://www.delica.ca/forum/hitop-delica ... 10807.html
http://www.delica.ca/forum/vote-for-hit ... -9851.html

[PinkPig]

Thanks - those threads are brilliant (from what I can see on my phone!).
Will have a good read when I'm next near a big screen.

Lost2's build is almost exactly what I'm after.

Agree that high top has lots of advantages but can't go too high hence something that will fold away.

Cheers guys
Roger

[after oil]

hi
sorry, ive been away form the forum for a little while...
next sunny day ill open my pop top and take any measurements youll need, if youll be more specific about exactly what youre looking for. next sunny day could be a while, but if i open it now and put it away wet, it will surely mold

[PinkPig]

Here's my estimate at the moment, based on various pictures I've found and a cardboard mock-up I've made
Any comments welcome!




I'll be fabricating something like this hinge:- (picture from Lost2)

[Ned]

Hi there, im not gonna lie, i aint got a delica, though i did want the lwb super exceed, but chose a 70 series landcruiser instead, pzj77 with difflocks, its nice.
Ive bought a VW T2 poptop roof for it, and am looking for these hinges. i was talking to a guy that renovates T2's here in Ireland, he said some people/companies do make them, but they wont sell them to you, unless its with a complete roof package, probably costing thousands. capitalism at its finest.

according to him standard door type hinges put too much strain on the roofskin over time.

so im very interested in fabricating them myself. did you go through with your plan with the dimensions above?

[jessef]

Here's a few places you may find the hinges at.

I got mine through the samba classifieds for $50+shipping 2 years ago.

VW wreckers $

http://www.busdepot.com/ $$

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=55 $$

http://bustedbus.com/default.aspx $$

http://www.gowesty.com/ $$$

[Ned]

they look pretty easy to make, i think ill make some, based on the drawing above. just now it sank in that a cardboard model would be a good idea, the guesstimate above is probably pretty close

[delicabits]

what are the pros and cons between having an angle pop top or having one that goes up same distance at both ends? the hinges similar to pop top caravans can be used and easily replaced.

[PinkPig]

I didn't follow up on this thread - my hinges were made out of 3mm stainless steel and could hold up a small house
Pictures and more details on my UK thread here:-

http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopi ... 211#302211