TinTop to PopTop

Questions & answers about kitchen units, stoves, fridges, heaters, water tanks, seats, mattresses etc etc.

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Cpt Marvel
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TinTop to PopTop

Post by Cpt Marvel » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:26 am

We’re going to buy a Bongo soon (hopefully!) and the ones I have been looking at are fresh imports with tin top roofs. I was thinking this would be no problem, get a pop top installed and then get the side/rear conversion done (we haven’t decided which to go for yet)

However, from doing some research it seems like the aftermarket roofs aren’t powered? Is this right? I had expected them to be and it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker but it doesn’t look to be mentioned on any of the sites I’ve found that installs them. I’ve gone back through the forum to see if this came up before but I then read that a lot of these companies won’t fit them unless they imported the vehicle anyway which is putting me off more :(

We would really need the extra space the pop top would give us for the kids but I feel like my plan is a non starter now and maybe we should try get one with an AFT in the first place although that could mean waiting longer, assuming one turns up.

Can anyone offer advice? We’re based near Halifax if there are companies to be recommended. Thank you.
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: TinTop to PopTop

Post by Northern Bongolow » Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:34 am

Look up bongo spares at rishworth they are 10 mins from you and have plenty in stock to go and have a look at your possible options.
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Doone
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Re: TinTop to PopTop

Post by Doone » Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:20 am

I havent heard of a 'powered' after market roof, only manual ones. I have heard some people find them a bit awkward, so do check how it seems to you, before you buy.
Allan's closed. We recommend PGS (Plymouth Garage Services) or Mayflower Auto Services in Plymouth.
Cpt Marvel
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Re: TinTop to PopTop

Post by Cpt Marvel » Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:43 am

Thank you both.

As long as the manual ones are easy to operate it might not be a problem but as the factory installed AFTs are powered I just assumed the after market ones would be too. I suppose if it’s manual it’s one less thing to go wrong in the future...
Bob
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Re: TinTop to PopTop

Post by Bob » Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:33 am

Welcome aboard. :)

This recent thread has some interesting comments:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=77384&p=715043&hilit=Roof#p715043

If you use the search facility there are some older discussions, too. :wink:
Cpt Marvel
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Re: TinTop to PopTop

Post by Cpt Marvel » Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:40 am

Thanks :)
Flanners
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Re: TinTop to PopTop

Post by Flanners » Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:29 pm

There is a Bongo specialist in the NW that transplants OE AFTs with motors/electronics et al onto TinTops, when I enquired the cost was approximate to an aftermarket pop-top so circa £3K+
2002 2.0 Aero with Outback Conversion and Roof Top Tent
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ever after.
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Re: TinTop to PopTop

Post by ever after. » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:58 pm

There was a vw t5 with a bongo AFT fitted to it for sale over here recently :lol:

It didn't say it in the add but the back of them AFTs are unmistakable
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