The next job on our list is to replace the Pop Top Lid as the current one is holding water and the previous owner thought it needed covering in Roofing Felt !! Anyway has anyone got any suggestions where we could get a new/replacement roof from? Cheers!
As lardy said... roof cap from JK... it fits over the top of your current one, and you get new lifter springs too (for the weight increase)
I have one of these roof caps fitted. They are great, highly recommended, makes it all water tight and looks smart.
We have something very similar to that but ours is a complete replacement, I've posted pictures previously and it's been said that its not a JK roof cap - god knows what it ! http://thelatebay.com/index.php?thr...adline-check-finish-interior-its-coming.1996/ There's a picture on the first page it seems to have three ridges unlike the JK one which has four - somebody must have made it but I've never been able to find any info about it
I'm having a go sorting my pop top out. I've opted against the roof cap, partly because you're adding more weight up top so handling is going to be worse (never going to be great but...), the cap is a bit ugly, and once it's on the only way to get it off, to change bellows for example, is to rip it off probably destroying it in the process. I had a quote done by a decent resto company who wanted £3K, £2K of that being labour. So I bought a cover for the van (its parked on the street) and a marquee for the garden where I am in the process of following this 'How To' guide on refurbing the roof...(thanks Bugman!) http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=547363 this one is also has helpful pics and comments... http://www.creative-corner.co.uk/vdub/Jimbos-Devon-Roof-Refurb.html This shop has a lot of useful parts... http://poptop-parts.co.uk/devon-bw68.htm you might also find this useful, the struts are a Illegitimate child!... http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=632568
They are not so bad, I would imagine the worst bit will be trying to get the felt off the old roof. You will need to repair the metal frame after removing the inner roof lining, replace the rivets that are loose also. Then you will need new inner seal (with insert) and outer seal from Poptop parts above, the inner roof lining / vinyl from Poptop parts, vinyl to cover the inner metal section from Martrim's. Then the seal that goes between the fibreglass bit and the van roof. I fitted a new skylight as well. If you can get away with the bellows do, they are £500 Then you will end up with this instead of
The cap isn't that heavy actually... possibly 15 to 20kg at a rough guesstimate... I really don't remember it being too bad to move, just the size of it!! As for it making the handling worse, that I have to say is poppycock I clocked a few miles up on the one that I installed, and that made no difference what so ever!!
i have a JK roof cap too. Managed to get it unused from ebay years ago. My original roof leaked like a sieve and now it's dry as a bone. tbh i didn't fit the skylight kit mainly because i was worried about adding another leak possibility but now i realise it's too cold in this country to have a sun roof! The cap is really easy to fit - i did mine, so it must be and light enough for me to carry and i'm a weakling. i didn't use the bolts on mine (think i lost them) but the sealant stuff is great and it hasn't budged in 6 years and still looks like new. v pleased with it. If you're worried about extra weight - eat fewer pies
fairy muff, just offering some links and advice on a refurb of the original, not bashing the JK cap. Just makes sense to me to minimise weight where possible rather than add.. The frame was broken on my roof too and needed repair so this is another reason I went down the proper refurbishment route as opposed to the stick on cap.
they're good links. originally i looked into the whole refurbing and it did look good but after finding a bargain cap on fleabay and realising it was a lot less work .... yup, i'm THAT kind of camper owner
Must admit I love the cap. Makes everything fully water tight, as there are no rivets etc showing. Personally I don't think it looks ugly, quite the opposite, I think it looks quite smart and clean. Regards the weight I don't think its an issue at all, the upgraded struts make it easy enough to put up, and I really can't see it affecting the handling.... not with everything else that affects the handling of these buses! I've got one with the skylight and wouldn't be without it - I don't expect it to ever leak as there is a lip around it, and its a god send in the summer with the sun shining on the bus; you can easily leave it open while you are away from the bus as no-one is going to be able to break in through that! However, full marks WillP if you want to go original You can't knock that, and I'm sure you will be happy with the results. Back on topic, and to the OP. I'd highly recommend the JK Cap, honestly don't think you'd be disappointed (just make sure you upgrade the struts). However if you prefer to put the extra time in, and want a refurb, then you have the details above. Just make sure you do a good job, as with a refurb you are going to have rivets etc all exposed - all these things are potential leaking points (in comparison, the JK cap is a one piece cap, so no potential to leak) IMHO, I'd just go with the cap. But maybe that's just me.
I will point out that there are different Devon roof tops, mine isn't like 3901mick's. I don't have the seal on the top edge so it might be worthwhile you searching round for another roof if you decide you don't fancy the roof cap fella?
