This may sound like a stupid question, but please don't me too bad for asking.

Has anyone here taken a standard van, and converted it on their own to have the fiberglass, high top roof? I am seriously considering yarding a high top for my Beauville, so I can stand up inside, and give my herniated disks a break, as well as add some of the creature comforts.

So these questions also come about:

A) If it's been done, is it worth it, or should I be looking for a van already converted, because of the hassles involved?

B) How does removing roof material for the conversion, affect the structural stability of the vehicle, and what needs to be done to keep the structural rigidity of the vehicle sound?

C) If I were to get a top from a yard, how much work is involved in removing everything I need, (and by "need", I am speaking only of necessary items. Cosmetics and eye candy excluded), for the conversion?

D) How much should I be looking to spend, (ballpark figure of a fair market value), on a yarded top, in good condition?

Thanks guys!!

Dennis from Van Clan is planning his third hi-top from cargo van conversion...

Here is number 2



The tops were bought new from a conversion company and van shop in Kitchener Ontario.

I have seen others add used junkyard tops to vans with good results as well.

Your insurance company limits modifications at times...Just leave as much shhet metal on top as possible, and leave the top side, front and rear supports in place, and remove the roof cross supports only.

All tops have usually been crash tested to satisfy US and Canadian Safety standard.

don't know about doing the conversion but I will tell started in a 65 Chevy Handivan, been though 2 Astros & 4 others & at our age & vannin for 30 odd years, glad we have a high top now

Thanks for the advice Doc! DeeJaye, trust me when I tell you, it can't come soon enough with my bad back and sciatica. Being hunched over in this van will cause me more problems, so I am ready to undertake the project if it's feasible.

The van is going to need painted anyway, so I figure there's no better time to do the conversion. My step father is a carpenter and general contractor, so I will design and build the interior with him.

you can buy the top new from here...they bought out all the conversion companies that went out of business over the years...them and v-sales are the only places to buy oem conversion parts, which sucks cause my from bumper cover is gonna cost me almost $800 without paint!

Here is the page for the tops

http://cpcparts.com/products/results.asp?nCatID=79&nSubCatID=205&sSubCat=CHEVY/GMC

Thanks steelvan. They all look pretty plain Jane to me, but I will dig through their site. I was hoping for something a little more evil looking, or at least quasi-evil, and less boxy. Yard will be my first attempt at this, and if all else fails, I'll save for one of those kits.

back & sciatica is why I have my cruzen cooler too

My father and I did a complete interior in a 78 Dodge maxi for camping. They then had a high top added. It added a lot of room but the cabinets we installed seemed too low because the roof was added after the fact, and caused a lot of bending to use the stove, sink ect.

relaxedvanner, I haven't decided what all I'm adding to the interior yet, as far as accessories. I plan to still use it for hauling stuff, and will eventually get a trailer for that, but it has to be versatile enough to handle hauling big items, and still be livable for camping. I have no problem with an air mattress and portable camping stoves, etc.. I'm used to roughing it in a tent, sleeping bag & a pillow, and no accessories at all, other than something to start the campfire with.

http://www.discountvantruck.com/vantopsraisedroofs/bubblevantops.htm
These folks have a few styles,looks like 1800buck give or take for the standup tops with liners.