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Old 08-02-2011, 12:26 PM   #1
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Penthouse height change at rebuild time

Hi;

I've essentially stumbled across a free older SMB and am wondering if anyone has raised the height of the penthouse while installing new canvas? I'm tall and like "me" space!

I figure it can't be too difficult to lengthen the braces and add some more canvas/material. I want to go up 4 inches.

Who supplies new canvas? SMB?

Thoughts?

Regards,
Gavin

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Old 08-02-2011, 02:57 PM   #2
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Re: Penthouse height change at rebuild time

I'm going to bet it will be more difficult than you envision.

Try to mock it up, either in a CAD program or using a wooden replica of the SMB van mounts and see how it goes.

Mike
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Old 08-03-2011, 10:22 AM   #3
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Re: Penthouse height change at rebuild time

I agree with Mike. If you were going to try and take it on, the first thing you would need would be the new extended canvas. This may be cost prohibitive in itself. To get the added lift you would need to either make your cross bars longer (adds stress to pivot point and bars) which would also require new/extended cross bar mounts on the roof, or make them "scissor" higher which would also require new bar mounts as well as lengthening the guide slots in the rails.

Don't you get nearly 6'-8" of interior height as is?

If you are serious about this modification, I would first check to see how high the top lifts without the canvas on it - I know that the canvas brought my ultimate height down at least two inches compared to lifting the top up without it on. You might be able to just get an inch or two taller canvas and make it work. If you get canvas pricing info, please share!
cheers,
josh
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Old 08-05-2011, 02:24 PM   #4
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Re: Penthouse height change at rebuild time

You might try Derek at Colorado Camper Vans... dsw4x4 on the Forum... he has added height, width, and length to van ph's.
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Old 08-10-2011, 07:25 AM   #5
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Re: Penthouse height change at rebuild time

http://derbyfabrics.com/
They should have what you need for you PH top
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