Fibreglass Canopy Modification

[Hilux01]

Hi all,

I am busy looking at the option of an Aluminium canopy for my Hilux D/C. However, I have looked at numerous options and can not see why I would prefer an Aluminium Canopy if I can just modify my Fibreglass SkyTop canopy to work basically the same as the Alu Cab.

My first instinct is to look at replacing the existing windows with something that can open like a side door on an Alu canopy, using one side as kitchen and other as recovery and or tool box.

Will it be possible to take out the existing sliding window and frame and replace with something like Aluminium frame and plate?

How would you go about this looking for some ideas?

Anybody done this before? MAybe some ideas for materials to look at?

[Mud Dog]

There was a thread like this before with the same idea. Do a search

[African Child]

Ek sien al hoe meer Beekman Canopy's wat so lyk hier in Somerset Wes. Dalk moet jy ZZ TOPS hier in die Strand probeer vir inligting. 021 8547796 083 3815332

[OOOOMS]

Ek het dit gedoen op my lux se canopy, vensters uitgehaal en alu plate op gesit met hinges en slotte. Dit werk, jy moet net 3mm alu plaat gebruik en dit mooi seel met rubbers vir die stof.

[Scooter]

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6770&hilit=fibregl ... dification

Mark, can we get a few more pics of how you modified yours?

[Hilux01]

Dankie Mnre,

Ek sal bietjie werk aan idees.

Scott het jy toe joune gebou?

MArk het jy dalk fotos daarvan sodat ons so bietjie kan kyk na die proses wat jy gevolg het?

Groete

[OOOOMS]

Hier is so paar fotos:

[pietpetoors]

Jislaaik Mark, dis 'n mooi bakkie.
Wat steek daar agter die agterste sidestep uit, is dit 'n kraan vir 'n watertenk?
Neem bietjie 'n naby foto van die graaf dat ons kan sien hoe jy dit vasgesit het!
Ek sien jy het 'n DORS sticker, hier by ons is 'n 2.7Hilux met die nommerplaat XDORS.WP

[Scooter]

Dankie Mnre,

Ek sal bietjie werk aan idees.

Scott het jy toe joune gebou?

MArk het jy dalk fotos daarvan sodat ons so bietjie kan kyk na die proses wat jy gevolg het?

Groete

Nope, I haven't had the time (read available cash) to buy everything yet.
Hopefully I can get started next month.

Mark, your truck is mooi man. I'll keep an eye out for you in the west.
Have you got any pics of the door open, to show how you used the seals and hinges etc ?

Did you build a frame for the Al plate or did you just use a thicker plate?

[OOOOMS]

Dankie, dit is 'n boksie wat ek van alu gebou het om spares soos silicon, cable ties, pliers ens. in te sit.

'DORS' was maar haar naam(eintlik 'baie dors') met 182l was sy maar swaar.

Die graaf is met 'n wingnut (binne) en het 'n gat geboor deur die lem om die anderkant vas te hou.

[Hilux01]

Mark dit lyk baie mooi

Ek het n paar vrae, wat het jy gebruik vir slotte? Hinges? Is that a framed door inside a frame? What section did you use for Allu frames?

[OOOOMS]

Sorry, I sold her 2 months ago, but if u want to pop around or are in the area I can show u how it is done and the goods I used. I used 3mm alu checker plate and no other supports.

This is strong enough and you can still bend it a little if you need.

zero83 3zero7 zero574

[Hilux01]

Thanks Mark will do

So basically just the hinged 3mm checker agains a dust proof rubber. How dit you lock it?

Will definately make use of your offer sometime.

Regards.

[OOOOMS]

I used drawer lock's from builders. However my advise is to get the same key for all doors, which can be done at a locksmith.

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Nice job man


Got me thinking nou; might take the opportunity since the Affirmative Shoppers came a calling

[OOOOMS]

Rich it's quite easy, buy a sheet, use what u have to and the left over....you will find 1000 uses!

[OOOOMS]

Here is a pic of the left side of the canopy. I made another flap on the inside that folds down into a table.

Quite handy

[OOOOMS]

Another view

[OOOOMS]

Lastly...

[Scooter]

That really is a job well done Mark. I will have to give it a go now.

Did you put a rubber seal only on the canopy and edging on the door or a seal on both?

[OOOOMS]

Yes both, I had to put a 5mm rubber seal on the canopy due to the curves of the window frame.

[Scooter]

Yeah, i was thinking a profile like the pic below would work for both. But perhaps I need something a little more rigid on the canopy side to allow a hard surface for the door seal to seal properly.

seal1.JPG (8.66 KiB) Viewed 4849 times

[OOOOMS]

Yes that will work, it also seats nicely on both surfaces.