Question regarding hinges for a custom pop top

[kellen302]

Figured I would try posting here instead of the wedge camper sub forum.

I'm working on converting my Series Land Rover 88 into a pop top camper using the existing roof structure. It is all bolt together and straight lines so it isn't exactly rocket science, and there have been plenty of similar builds on Series trucks and Defenders over the past 70 odd years. My plan is to hinge along one side of the vehicle to give me full length standing height and only increase the overall height by the closed thickness of my hinge and the thickness of the rails that will support the sleeping platform panels, ie less than half an inch.

The overall concept is between an Xpanda cab conversion from the early 60s and a side lifting Dormobile roof.


My question is this, for anyone who has looked at existing wedge campers/RTT's or done their own, have you used or seen continuous geared hinges? They check a lot of my boxes for weatherproof, easy to mount (match drill the holes already in the roof and sides) and there are plenty of variations so I can get one that will also support that side of the bed platforms.

See this link for an example, many vendors make them at fairly reasonable prices. https://www.assaabloydooraccessories.us/en/products/hinges/continuous-aluminum-geared-hinges/



Next step is figuring out my latches so that they can be operated from the inside without sticking out into the passenger area too much. Also where I want to put the lifting struts while maximizing interior bed space.

 

[Herbie]

Those are cool - hadn't seen them before.

The other option is a 6-bar linkage hinge like VW uses on the buses and vans. There are two advantages to these: (1) you get more height even at the "hinge" end when the top is popped, and (2) you can seal around the entire perimeter of the top (since the hinge doesn't attach at the "edge").

My GTRV pop-top has this sort of hinge and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to refresh the top sealing to the body by just putting a new bulb seal around the edges.

EDIT: For clarity...

 

[The Artisan]

Used one on my pod, great architectural hinges
Kevin

 

[krick3tt]

Interesting photo Kevin, perhaps one showing the 'hinge' would help explain your set up.

 

[The Artisan]

Interesting photo Kevin, perhaps one showing the 'hinge' would help explain your set up.

I cut mine down an used it for my entry door
Kevin

 

[billiebob]

Figured I would try posting here instead of the wedge camper sub forum.

I'm working on converting my Series Land Rover 88 into a pop top camper using the existing roof structure. It is all bolt together and straight lines so it isn't exactly rocket science, and there have been plenty of similar builds on Series trucks and Defenders over the past 70 odd years. My plan is to hinge along one side of the vehicle to give me full length standing height and only increase the overall height by the closed thickness of my hinge and the thickness of the rails that will support the sleeping platform panels, ie less than half an inch.

The overall concept is between an Xpanda cab conversion from the early 60s and a side lifting Dormobile roof.


My question is this, for anyone who has looked at existing wedge campers/RTT's or done their own, have you used or seen continuous geared hinges? They check a lot of my boxes for weatherproof, easy to mount (match drill the holes already in the roof and sides) and there are plenty of variations so I can get one that will also support that side of the bed platforms.

See this link for an example, many vendors make them at fairly reasonable prices. https://www.assaabloydooraccessories.us/en/products/hinges/continuous-aluminum-geared-hinges/



Next step is figuring out my latches so that they can be operated from the inside without sticking out into the passenger area too much. Also where I want to put the lifting struts while maximizing interior bed space.

I'd worry about dust build up in the gears.

 

[krick3tt]

Thanks. That photo shows well. Full height hinge keeps the door well aligned.

 

[The Artisan]

I'd worry about dust build up in the gears.

The gears are very robust. Unless sand or pebbles got in the gears, it might have issues Light dust would be ok and easy to blow out. Nice thing is it would be easy to remove and really clean if something were to happen
Kevin

 

[kellen302]

Those pictures are very helpful, it looks like exactly what I want.

I have looked at using the 6 bar linkage hinges but they would be much more difficult to mount, mainly at the front end on top of the windscreen without increasing the height of the vehicle while the roof is closed. Additionally, although the lift height is helpful, the overall angle that they open to is not ideal and would limit head room given that I am hinging on the long edge of the roof and not the short edge like they are normally used.