Penthouse installation

[polishadam82]

Hey guys I got a question for whoever had to install their penthouse, I picked up top but I didn't have a chance to get dimensions of the hole and are there any tricks with installation? Also I noticed on some pictures that there is a metal support going between rails in the back of the van but I did not see anything at front with make me wonder why not? Other question would be can I put some metal at front of the rails across to make it stronger specially that hooks that hold the roof down are in there. I would be greatly appropriated thanx guys.

[rallypanam]

Here are very detailed engineering schematics I made for an EB SMB top.. slightly different than yours.

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by polishadam82

are there any tricks with installation?

I recommend aligned the canvas, screwing it down with a few screws, then unscrew and add butyl one section at a time.

Originally Posted by polishadam82

Also I noticed on some pictures that there is a metal support going between rails in the back of the van but I did not see anything at front with make me wonder why not? Other question would be can I put some metal at front of the rails across to make it stronger specially that hooks that hold the roof down are in there.

SMB does not have any front cross brace. When I added the top to my old van, I added a piece of flat bar steel.. Oddly SMB had spaced either side up with a small piece of 1/2 plywood, so I just added a 1/4 flat bar that went all the way across the front, and then drilled the front tie down points through that steel.

[polishadam82]

Originally Posted by rallypanam

Here are very detailed engineering schematics I made for an EB SMB top.. slightly different than yours.

Being a machinist I love napkin drawings (way better then all fancy engineered drawings)

I forget the mention that I have regular length van I don't know if that makes a difference or not

Thanx rallypanam