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Old 05-04-2014, 01:39 AM   #1
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Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

Hi all. I'm looking for my first econoline camper and I've found a few vans that i like, but some of them have the extended high tops. i really dont like the high top look. Is it possible to cut off the high top and replace it with a penthouse popup? Not sure how different the construction holes are.

This would be specifically for an RB econoline.

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Old 05-04-2014, 08:12 AM   #2
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

I'm bettin' it would be easier to start with a regular top van for a penthouse. The hole for a fixed top is already going to be cut too large I think.

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Old 05-04-2014, 08:55 AM   #3
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

How much of the original roof is left still?

The PO of my van left a lot of the original roof in that he was using for shelving. We ended up cutting the rest out after I bought it.
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Old 05-04-2014, 03:19 PM   #4
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

Scotty, i think you are right. The extended tops look like they would totally scalp the usable roof metal. @haywood not sure. Just having a hard time finding the right base van, an unmolested RB 7.3.
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Old 05-04-2014, 04:03 PM   #5
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

You may want to give the folks at Colorado Camper Vans a call, http://www.coloradocampervan.com. They may be able to tell you what can and cannot be done.
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Old 05-04-2014, 05:14 PM   #6
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ohpyramids
Scotty, i think you are right. The extended tops look like they would totally scalp the usable roof metal. @haywood not sure. Just having a hard time finding the right base van, an unmolested RB 7.3.
Larrie has a good point. Derek (at CCV) has put pretty much everything on a van, all makes of vans, and he can tell you, however he hasn't installed any Sportsmobile pop tops since he sells his own, but he knows what will fit.

If you are looking for a 7.3 I would think you could easily find a used cargo van a lot easier than a custom van with a shell on it already. I have hardly ever seen any 7.3s with a top, in fact usually the custom vans with a top already on them are E150 (half ton chassis) which you probably don't want either. An E250 at the least will give you some weight capacity for a build.

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Old 05-04-2014, 10:30 PM   #7
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

i found a used smb that was close to my ideal final build- except for the extended roof. Currently hunting for a 7.3 RB cargo van around Los Angeles. Unfortunately all i can find local are eb rigs.
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Old 05-06-2014, 04:58 PM   #8
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

Hello,
If you come across a eb 50 give me a holler Im in Northern Ca, I will keep an eye out for you in LA

Rob
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Old 05-15-2014, 10:11 AM   #9
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

There's a decent looking one in florida now. I'll try to remember to dig it up later. I seem to be finding the most decent rigs on commercial truck trader.
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Old 05-31-2014, 03:21 AM   #10
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Re: Replace a high top with a Penthouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Scotty
The hole for a fixed top is already going to be cut too large I think.

If the hole in the roof is more than 45.5" wide, it's too big......
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