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Old 04-10-2009, 02:35 PM   #1
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Got My Penthouse Top On Chev. Express

Got my Penthouse top installed on my 2000 Chev Express Extended Cargo (aka: camping) van in early March. I now have it in good enough shape to post some pics.

"Old" Ceiling...Prior to Penthouse


Van prepped for Penthouse



Holiday Inn near SMB-I


We got there about 3pm on Tuesday. They started right away using an air chisel on the roof.


We came back at 1pm on Wednesday to chk on progress.


Job was done and they were vacuuming out the van.


Of course had to put top up again when we got home.


No dear it is not ready yet...........First I had to wait a week for some late snow to melt. I then took a week off for a trip to Haiti. Then I really started to work putting things back in.


Got this far before we had a cold snap and an April snow.....melts fast at this time of year and also warms up again real fast.


Next three pics show where I am now at. I recycled old overhead storage compartments and placed sections as shown.
Need to sand and vanish the rear areal.




I did take this opportunity to add 20 watts of lighting to the hanging closet. Also had a GFI problem so I cleaned up electrical wiring.


Also have started making a penthouse bed. Below is it attached to the ceiling. I did not like the SMB cleats that are attached to the beds. I am always backing into hard-sharp objects or banging them with my head. So I made a head friendly bed hanging system.



Close up of a bed hanger



All 40 plus pics of my van are posted in my photo gallery.

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Old 04-10-2009, 11:39 PM   #2
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Re: Got My Penthouse Top On Chev. Express

Hi LenS,
Very nice! I bet you are really enjoying it.

The bed is looking good too. Great work! Keep us posted.

steve
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Old 04-21-2009, 01:17 AM   #3
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Re: Got My Penthouse Top On Chev. Express

Wow LenS!

I am jealous like mad I have a Chevy Express 2500 too and would love to have a top fitted... Sadly being in Europe it is rather complicated/expensive to have a SMB top shipped over!

I might have to see if a custom top could be fabricated by some of the outfitters over here... I am not courageous enough to build and fit my own top

Anyhow congrats again for the top it really finishes it off! And nice you have the Chevy as there seem to be fewer of them

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New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
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Old 07-05-2009, 04:55 PM   #4
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Re: Got My Penthouse Top On Chev. Express

Hej Saabmann,

Maybe we can work something out when I get my van from the US.
I have found a custom Pop Top Builder, who would build one for the Vans. Price is around 5700€, which I think is to much.

Just Ideas

Mike
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Old 07-20-2009, 02:29 AM   #5
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Re: Got My Penthouse Top On Chev. Express

Hi Nalle!

Interesting, where are they? In Sweden?
Got any pics of your van?

See ya!
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New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
+ 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 3.0l
+ 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Hirsch
+ 1972 Saab 96 V4 (not running)
+ fixed house (Argh)
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