Replacing original 4 internal clips and seem to remember someone mentioned something similar to these; https://www.protex.com/27-1900SS-no...fety-catch-light-duty-stainless-steel-natural https://www.protex.com/03-531SS-catch-plate-for-toggle-latch-stainless-steel-natural will light duty be ok as rated more than our roof which is 25kg. http://www.poptop-parts.co.uk/images/devon-hold-down.jpg or poptop replacements, only issue is can never get hold of poptop by email so not sure on reliability of service there..
I think I used these ones (or very similar) as they were identical to my originals - check the measurements first. I've used the 'R' clips https://www.protex.com/18-1204SS-spring-claw-toggle-latch-light-duty-stainless-steel-natural but the ones in your first link look like they should do the trick
Mine are like the poptop ones, just make sure you fit them so they go over-centre, or past 180 degrees, or they pop open. I have packed mine out temporarily until the interior is trimmed out.
I am looking for some advice on how to securely attach the catch plate to lock down the roof on my 1973 crossover van which has a Devon top. I have bought new latches and catches for the Devon top from Proud to Top, which are similar to the ones that came with my van when I bought it (the previous owner had not reinstalled them when new plastic bellows were fitted). Diddymen’s solution, in a similar discussion thread on this forum, of using small bolts through the roof with penny washers and a sealant seems the most appropriate way of doing it. However, my problem is that at the front the (? polystyrene) insulation under the top is right up against the roof edge so that the catch will have to mounted on this soft material and, therefore, not be secure. See picture. In addition, there is no sign of previous mounting holes on the roof, so is there another solution for mounting the catch plates that does not require drilling holes in the roof? Many thanks Richard
What you labelled polystyrene is a headlining stretched over a frame with the black trim holding it in place. Stuck to the actual roof should be thin polystyrene which falls off and lies on the headlining material. Those hooks/clips should be on the sides, not the ends of the roof.
So I’ve had another look at my Devon top this morning and realised that whoever replaced the metal frame has put it on too far forward so that it catches the front of the roof aperture. Consequently the top does not drop down sufficiently to allow the catches and latches meet, and I will need to find a different solution for securing the pop top during travel, such as D rings and straps, until I can find the time for a rebuild. Oh the “joys” of buying an unfinished restoration project only to realise that just about everything that has been done before was a complete botch! At least it will be right when I finish it, sometime next century.
When I had mine in pieces off the bus I had the same problem when putting it back together. I think the solution was to turn the bottom permanent bit 180 degrees from how I first tried. Not a job for the feint hearted, but perhaps it's your top bit that's the wrong way round. TBH I don't think there is right/wrong, more trial and error to find out how it was originally put together and onto the bus. It'll always almost work but one combo will be just right.
@DicDoc the catches don't attach where you have shown them in your picture. I'll try and find a picture that explains it better than my words
Nothing is mounted through the polystyrene insulation bits of the roof. The hook bit of the catch mounts on the brackets which run length ways along the van. The clip bit of the catch is also mounted on the length way section of the van. I think they screw into wood which you can't see as it's the other side of the roof frame. Hopefully the pics help 1st one shows the hook and the catch below (bellows open). 2nd one shows the hook closer up 3rd shows catches done up when roof is down
I always make sure my latches are trapped under the cover for the bunk beds because I have had the roof sucked up and popped the catches, driving past a truck at about 60mph on a very windy day. Sometimes when the latches dont line up, lifting the roof a little and pulling in the appropriate direction while moving it up and down a little alters the position of the poptop against the springs. I can gain about 5mm movement.
Thanks paulcalf. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. The hook part of my catch is straight so, from your second picture, it looks like I need to modify it with a 90 degree bend to make the hook vertical. I think next winter’s project will be a rebuild of my Devon top. In the meantime I’ll do a temporary lock down fix so that I can get out and enjoy the van this summer, once I get the engine back from being rebuilt. But that’s another story! Thanks everyone for contributing your helpful advice/comments. Richard
