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miller
Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 216 Location: Notts
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:27 Post subject: L300 - Pop Roof? |
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Hi all, really like the L300's and am considering importing a P25 or P35 with as many extras as i can get. I'm getting into Kitesurfing and love the idea of a 4WD van that i can possibly convert / add on some home luxurys!!
Did the L300 ever come with a pop top style roof or is it an aftermarket jobby?
Has anyone ever coverted their L300 to a camper style van?
Cheers
Mike
ps; anyone going to JAE in Mersea that will let me have a looksie over their L300? |
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:27 Post subject: Google Ads keep this community free to join! |
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motorang
Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 472 Location: Vienna, Austria
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miller
Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 216 Location: Notts
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:57 Post subject: |
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Cheers Andy, have spent all morning looking at options and surfing the net for different views. Moneywise I'm starting to think it may be a non starter and questioning my desire to have a stand up functioning camper. The Awd / diesel / is far more important. Plus the looks of the L300 kitted out looks brilliant.
Being a serial Mitsubishi owner I'm somewhat biased. Maybe a trailer style camper with pull out cooking/shower untis may be another avenue. Loads of options in Oz just not here in UK
I'm looking at Bonsaicars to import as i seem to get a greater choice than the UK market, especially as i want one with all the extras and maybe, just maybe slightly raised! Am i asking too much???
Mike |
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strangerover Lifetime member
Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 4357 Location: Ashton-in-Makerfield
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 19:28 Post subject: |
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Have you looked at Bongo's from mazda ?
they have pop roof, and are AWD but not off road vehicles, more 4x4 for a bit of slippy grass mud...
or... look at one and you'll realise that the Delica is a better option _________________ Regards
Mark |
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miller
Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 216 Location: Notts
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 19:40 Post subject: |
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:D i looked and looked and looked again at Bongos but no matter how much i kept looking at those things i just couldn't get in and test drive it. What if someone saw me |
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tomkranz Lifetime member
Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Crowthorne, Berkshire
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Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:28 Post subject: |
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There is just something indefinably 'wrong' with the Bongo. I looked at one along with the Delica - pop top, permanent 4WD like the Estima, lots of room for windsurfing gear - but ..... no. Just no.
Cheers,
TOM |
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jaf1968 Lifetime member
Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 803 Location: Leeds, UK
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Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:59 Post subject: |
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You are spot on with the Bongo - it just looks - wrong!
Parked up alongside one a while back and it's just - wrong
Can't think of another word to describe it.
J |
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BaruchLaskin
Joined: 06 Sep 2019 Posts: 1 Location: Redwood Meadows, Canada
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Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 0:31 Post subject: Poptop conversion |
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I know this is an old thread but does anyone have any more info on an L300 poptop conversion? |
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PinkPig Lifetime member
Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 2720 Location: Southampton, UK
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profpriv
Joined: 14 Nov 2013 Posts: 213 Location: Burgess Hill
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 13:22 Post subject: |
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I would be looking for the hightop conversion myself, but looks like Reimo have stopped making them... |
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andyman
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5601 Location: Penrith
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 0:12 Post subject: |
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Depending on whether you want a full upper sleeping deck, or just standing-up height in the middle, I've often wondered whether the shell of a suitable size roof box would make a good starting point. A simple plywood and softwood mould, carefully shaped to suit the roof profile, would enable a custom fibre-glass pop-top to be made, but then the hard part, I guess, is the hingeing/raising/propping system, although Pink Pig has been through all that, as well as the fabric bellows part, cutting out and stiffening the roof cut-out and ensuring a waterproof seal. Probably simpler on a low roof than a high roof with Crystallites. _________________ Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon! |
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profpriv
Joined: 14 Nov 2013 Posts: 213 Location: Burgess Hill
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 12:15 Post subject: |
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Hi Andy
I really like the look of the permanent high roof version. Not only would this give standing height when I convert to a day van/camper later,but would also give me some
extra room whilst still being used as a commercial vehicle. I can only imagine what that would do to the fuel consumption being 2.0L petrol.....
I often wonder how difficult it might be to fabricate one from thin ply to create a smooth curve at the front.....
Shaun |
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andyman
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5601 Location: Penrith
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 14:43 Post subject: |
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Hi, Shaun, depending on the curve, you might do better to use aeroply, which has fewer laminations in one direction than the other, so is designed to bend easily in one direction, and is stiffer in the other. You might overlay it with fibreglass ,resin, and filler, so you can get a strong, waterproof finish. My experience of painting plywood to be left outdoors, is that most paint finishes will peel, and the joints open up and let in the moisture and rot. I would take advice from a boatbuilder or coachbuilder on suitable ply and paint for a durable job. I have seen 2002 + Toyota Hiace campers with a fixed high roof which look like they could be fitted on a L300, as they are narrow enough. You just need to find a scrap one! _________________ Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon! |
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profpriv
Joined: 14 Nov 2013 Posts: 213 Location: Burgess Hill
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 15:23 Post subject: L300 fixed high roof |
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Interesting information there, Andy. Thanks
I Haven't heard of aeroply, I'll take a look. And I forgot to mention that I would be overlaying the ply with fibreglass to get that sleek smooth look that a camper would deserve. I'll also look into the Toyota Hiace for guidance as well as speaking to experts in the field. |
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profpriv
Joined: 14 Nov 2013 Posts: 213 Location: Burgess Hill
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 15:39 Post subject: |
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Alternatively I might pursue the camper on ebay with the Reimo pop top which is being broken.... |
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