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AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:37 pm
by Tony Hunt
I am looking to convert my Bongo roof from AFT to a fixed high roof. Does anybody do one similar but better than the http://www.drivelodge.co.uk/ one? I now tow a small caravan with the bongo for holidays away and no longer need the roof with a bed in. When not using the caravan I use the Bongo purely for day trips, Fishing, Metal detecting etc etc so need to be able to climb in the back, make a cup of tea, cook lunch, or use the porta potti without having the hassle of raising the roof each time I park up. I am a good 6ft tall so need roof height directly in line with the side door where I have the fridge / hob / sink unit fitted in the full side conversion. I have plans for converting the new roof space above the rear rock and roll bed / seat into storage area for fishing rods, metal detectors etc out of the way to preserve uncluttered floor area. The area above the cab could also be useful for storage of clothing, wet weather gear etc.
My last question is what could I hope to recover from the sale of the AFT roof and how difficult is it to remove?

Re: AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:34 am
by helen&tony
Hi
Personally, I don't like Hi-tops, but that's quite good-looking, and can see the sense in it. I'm wondering if a Bongo specialist would fit one of those tops, and take the AFT off your hands for a consideration?...worth a punt!...especially as yours is a working AFT
Cheers
Helen

Re: AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:49 am
by Tony Hunt
Thats what I'm trying to ascertain helen. The roof has always worked perfectly its just that I personally find it a wasted space because we don't need the extra bed plus you can't use the roof space for storage while travelling and its an added chore when we just want to get inside and stand up and do things during the day. It must be worth a few hundred quid to somebody surely in one piece they would cost loads if you had to buy one.

Re: AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:22 pm
by Simon Jones
If you look on ebay, they seem to go from about £300 upwards. Some adventurous folk have fitted them to VW T4 / T5 so you may want to join on of their forums & see if you can sell it for a higher amount.

Re: AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:13 pm
by Tony Hunt
Thanks for that simon. I did look on ebay and new mini front hinged after market ones are on sale to fit Bongos for £1500 fitted. I would have thought there was a market for really good fully working secondhand ones like mine. Maybe they aren't easy to fit to tin tops.

Re: AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:49 pm
by teenmal
Might be worth giving Mr Callow a shout..

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ble+hi+top

Re: AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:56 pm
by Driver+Passengers
Until such times as you get yourself sorted exactly how you want it, I removed the internal ceiling and it gives an extra few inches head height, and access to stow stuff, subject to it all being secured for travel. You can crack the roof for ventilation when parked up, but the extra few inches really helped me move around in the van, without lifting the roof.

Re: AFT to High top conversion.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:59 pm
by Tony Hunt
Will look at that as a temporary measure, thanks driver.