Considering fabricating and installing a large ragtop?

I have a 79 VW Bus (transporter), and Im considering installing a big ragtop. I think the ragtop and the open road would be quite nice. I'd like to know the experiences you folks have had with them. Do they leak (I'm sure they do)? What you like about them, what don't you like about them? What companies sell a good quality kit, or what company can do a good quality modification/fabrication and install (in the US, or abroad)?
I have seen a few internet kits I could order but question the quality of the kits. Also, the ones I have seen on the internet either seem too narrow, or too wide. I'd like to do a manual, sliding, ragtop that looks and feels date (1979) specific. A power roof sounds cool, but I think it would take away from the Buses natural charm. I'd like your thoughts, positive, or negative on the issue but, at the least, respectful...

Thanks in advance, SS

 

I have heard Paris Beetles ones leak.
Unless you really must have one I would not do it?
They always leak....

 

Paris beetles... I'll have to look them up. Im sure you could install it so that it dosent leak??? LOL, maybe....

 

My dad has fitted a Paris beetles one to his Beetle. However he hasnt taken it out in rain and its garaged so cant comment on leakage.
It does look nice though.

 

i considered doing this with my bus, but every person i asked advised against. Personally i think they look cool, and would be nice to be able to sit in the back with the top open and eat etc, But ultimately they mostly leak and decrease the value of your van.

I decided to do the more expensive route and refurbish my pop top.

P.s. can you drive with them open? i was under the impression you couldnt.

 

You can drive with the beetle one open as there are screws which lock it in place either closed, halfway or fully open but you have to open/ close it from the outside as it poppers onto the roof so if it rains your passenger wouldnt be able to close it on the move.

 

I don't have a pop top... Just a regular metal, boring roof. Any ideas if a standard roof install would be different?

 

Just checked out Paris Beetle!!! I love what they are offering.. Just don't like the price!

 

Oh no keep the tintop they are getting rare!

If I was you I would buy a cheap pop top version and save the tintop, would be a shame to cut a roof in it? Take the poptop off and work on that one?

Either way you would need to reinforce the edge with metal strips ensuring the edges had been well protected from the elements. Whatever you do and however well you do it nature always finds a way to rain in. The other downside will be increased noise and draughts.

Sorry not trying to put you off but its a fair bit of work and long term you will devalue the van if you plan to sell?

Good luck either way.

 

Stan.. I'm actually torn between doing it, or not. I'm currently starting a Porsche 944 non-turbo brakes, and wheels install. Then I was going to lower my bus a little more, then do the ragtop. I don't plan on selling it. In the US we have a few tintops running around so I'm sure if I really wanted another one, I could find one in much better shape than mine for around $5000 US. The popstops are more rare here and are valued more than tintops. However, I don't plan on selling my bus ever. This one will stay with me for at least the next 15 years. I may pick up a air cooled pickup, but this bus is here to stay! As far as leakage is concerned, I have owned 3 convertibles and they have all leaked... 87 Mustang GT, 2003 Audi TT, and a 87 VW Cabriolet. However, maintenance (some more often than I would have liked) has kept Mother Nature temporarily out of my cars.
I love the look of the tops when the top is open. However, I don't like the look of the ragtops when they are closed. This is what's really stopping me from doing it. Being date specific, and stance is my physical goals with my bus. Yes, I'm building it primarily for looks. Still kind of up-in-the-air on it, but I love the idea of sliding the roof back and driving nice and slow all day long on a sunny, warm day! As far as actually installing it myself, I'm not worried. I'm pretty handy, and I have friends that would love to help. However, I am a perfectionist for a date specific look, and suspension and wheel stance. Stan, I love your input, and you seem very passionate. Your opinion is extremely valuable, warranted, respected, and accepted! For that I thank you.

 

Now I find out you are in the US? Well there you go. Ignore my comments I was assuming you lived in the rainy part of the world - ie the UK! In that case fill your boots. Sounds like you have things well in hand and if you are keeping the bus you can do what you want?

Rather than having a sliding canvas roof what about something a bit different?
Maybe take a leaf out of the modern tin roof convertibles?
A number of sliding panels maybe made from say tinted perspex and moved automatcially by a suitable motor(old starter motor?)
Either way suitable U shaped channels with rubber seals might help with the weather proofing, no material means no shrinkage or loss of waterproofing?
Nothing is impossible only your imagination limits things.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Get yourself over to the UK more poptop vans here today than in the 70's!! Hahaha

 

Thanks Stan... I want to keep it date spec. at least. Your idea is cool though...

 

Hi serpent,i own a 1972 rag top/paris roof and am not sure if this is how it came of production but it
has been built realy good. The down side is that it does leak over time,i just dont have the funds to
look for a reaplacment roof. I am looking at replacing the grip strips becouse of mold isue's and will
give the fabric a watter proof spray. As for driving with it open,i cant becouse there isn't anything
to hold it in place. This is my first bay i have had it on the road for 6 months now and just got a new m.o.t
on it oh and dont forget my free road tax lol. so am learning new things every day
i meet some one with a camper. It looks realy good and you do get people looking and noticing the roof.
As for the price,they will fetch the same price as a tin top all day long my freind,if not a little more
becouse there isn't many of these around. . .thats what i think and am sure someone will share what they think.
Good luck on what you want to do and its all down to what you would like to have and not what anyone
else thinks.

 

I also own a 72 rag top, its the paris beetle version and does leak a little. I'm trying to track the leaks down and see if i can improve the situation. I can drive with it open as it is secured via the screw type things. Cant wait for some sun and to take my friends out in it!

 

I have fitted a few, converted Devon pop tops and also, completely fresh installs, they sent to bad they look fine are a bit fiddly to open/ close but for the cost etc they aren't to bad, I have also retro fitted a factory sliding steel sunroof, which is very expensive to do

 

Haha! Sounds all good. I'm pretty sure I will be doing this within a year. Just not sure now if I'm going to tackle the job, or hire someone to hack my Bus. I'll have to see if anyone here in the US has done it before, and more importantly on the East Coast. I live only about 7 Kilometers from the White House near Washington DC. Not to many Buses, or aircooled shops around here. If it's not new and s****** most people around here don't appreciate How fine, and innovative T2's are and were. I guess I better start looking around now.

 

It's not hard to cut a square hole in the roof and as a matter of course they make the sunroof to fit your size.
I would say this is usually done as a cheap alternative to fixing or replacing a broken pop-top. I like them, but I wouldn't want one here in UK.

 

you need to reinforce the roof by making a metal frame too, i can come to america to help you

 

can i come to i can weld and fabricate

 

you can be my wing man ( top gun was on a few days ago )