Looking for sal age pop top or Westy roof for E350XL

[Big_ern_101]

Man unless the used top was free, included all the hardware and instructions, all the cloth and fittings and trimmings were mint and I had free install labor and a big decked out shop I would just pop for the CCV top if I want a pop-top. Everything I have seen, read, and experienced tells me the CCV top is leagues ahead of any of the other offerings, even current SMB tops. Getting 3/4 of a raggedy used SMB top for a few thousand and then spending half my life reassembling it only to have not as nice of a finished result as a CCV top sounds super depressing.

[kbeefy]

Valid points. The CCV price can be hard to swallow though.

[Big_ern_101]

Originally Posted by kbeefy

Valid points. The CCV price can be hard to swallow though.

That is true, the real value in the CCV top comes when you want to send your van down the road.

All other things being equal, resale would go as follows:

-Home-added used poptop
-OEM slick roof
-SMB top
-CCV top

[SteelheadJones]

Can’t agree with that. A well refurbished and installed used top would definitely fetch a premium over an OEM slick top.

[Big_ern_101]

Originally Posted by SteelheadJones

Can’t agree with that. A well refurbished and installed used top would definitely fetch a premium over an OEM slick top.

Thats kind of the point. The guys looking for take offs are not going to completely refurbish it since a used top put on by Billy Bob's Top 'n Chop is the McBudget option. I have looked at a whole pile of vans and the ones with take-off tops installed on them were defintely going to be a worse starting point than a slick roof.

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by Big_ern_101

Thats kind of the point. The guys looking for take offs are not going to completely refurbish it since a used top put on by Billy Bob's Top 'n Chop is the McBudget option. I have looked at a whole pile of vans and the ones with take-off tops installed on them were defintely going to be a worse starting point than a slick roof.

Implying the end result will always be nothing short of dismal just seems to be a pessimistic posture, and not necessarily one the majority would embrace. Everyone's circumstances are not the same, and this certainly shouldn't be something that governs their hope or optimism.
My 17yr old SM Pop-top still operates as intended & is in great shape. Putting it on a slick roof IMO would certainly be an upgrade.

If the OP (or anyone else for that matter) want's/intends to pursue a project that they feel will enhance their environment, then I for one will always enthusiastically provide a high-5

Have you read through some of the DIY'ers Threads in this forum? Many "Billy Bob's" here prove to be nothing short of impressive. Their passion, creativity, and engenuity leave me (and i'm sure many of us) envious of their vision & talent...and in awe of their accomplishment(s). Point is, There are many people that can do a great job.

[boywonder]

Here's one......

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...top-10808.html

[dbhosttexas]

Originally Posted by John Sang

1998 Econoline E-350 XL

Thank you

Uh, XL is a Ford Trim package. Do you mean Extended Length?

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by boywonder

Here's one......

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...top-10808.html

And I thought you'd link one of my threads yet you linked your own?



JK, kudos, I knew someone would link your thread. It's the gold standard.

Looking back 10 years to when I did this last the pics do feel a bit like Billy Bob's Chop n Top and mine were definitely the McBudget option.

[SteelheadJones]

Yes that was resolved in post #7.