Custom Suburban Poptop Camper (Photos)

boll_rig

Adventurer
I have a build thread going but figured I would post some photos of my finally finished custom pop top for my suburban. Been chipping away at this project for about 15 months now and its finally "done."

Here are a few photos:

MRok4STKs8quVFgXb6acGgnwj4rxYAsFMHo-rcjYHvSJBC1_WvPXy3s__J9zp3P4f8uWAEVZGce8mI_wQ4vu0JvB3uQE8NkoifS6QasmUdkDSJWo7-HhS5yN6jf0Ei88YWxWuEuqoUmkmCys9ejnoOHfXb0j89zxSk_C_S4bGniVuajWKsq77OS6wi2aOSy0ewlET8qNyhQcOVVnxkn138-kZm2XY_1JJg4Bh4JoWWyNeywXBDMT1NQn9aNgdtXZ-3j6Izo8NOX8joAB-Td0L6kEvGTWJ3zIm8970FP1eEOmqiyLlwqRSfWtQ8S9EABN_acJF1rid2gzz5QrVUCS5ycurOcN7BB_8x5Thrr0YTnXXA67bJP1TOeF1eG6zogFjivvBDo4iJx2dA3H72MdqeVRVxC2kTt8EqvdmybUkP1Ho5NSyDriDn6D1r7c-1erHG7X8-OrxN_PfnjT2Zy2cGsjAbXKccFucyiME1nNBe7HtCjyY3CUDPSnfLmh32Y5Heg95oUYGtz-4SjPylUw2bEiN91r9sV1EFlUCmSqlgfBiUe3fEOihOGXzTTHfVjeJw-m4kwU7DTdAdAn5BsXTcgmQF0xcb0=w800-h600-no


QHi2vyLQpi1lPV2HdIA83bfr26yS77zdNsYVLG0ObxHyfNjQRruqhBqDmlV-8GSEVJ8_V1a2N0PWfRWtWXYaYLREY_LqrZf4reJiiZcD3PdFL5toa5WzoMXsc0fmp-sDrpt15C2kpkQxWCRWX7ZVm82CK4MUyLvBtx6tKPbBhxDls2nV5-M0N6VYd5OHaJ_5Af2dUezrfniGLofE6lDsW49mbpfXaksDH86ai1hhMphPYvs2Oaq1nJQbHYQPYDtqGMgPHu-z6vllEKVIapbI58LOAcMpY3C2yYNkKvzyQy89ORtJbCYxJT2gkLcMlaaZNSkeSrl0i0oreCqJVADQxu3eevTmRE0CYEnxcZxcfSvxrOdXO9j8aW4nITvue8plYuXuEW1sSEwz1Mpzgm5l_fQQjLqD5rWS_X7keyxWQLk36EolykdoBtqezEG8HXy24o99RjIzGvG-_rwbUt7ErsCdhQrlUuUzRgxMFQvKPiIYy4wA0bUD-aG-5XjYFrHTq-FI46zLJEe9IFU67pzYaIAxLGRrWZ_QYG4v11bKJ4C-B-PuWDocYrFGzGdMWemlzOiVfqIBtNvxx7p6xPW2y7Woo7vUBP4=w800-h600-no


_9yGBNw_Ma5HtZM_xDZmOYXHDehXdvNjbyLRNXIouEXEK-TiN_CeUxoMpqcdZdvRSlf8OXASOX2Q4AvwQTUq4XV29wREHYy2VEGPuVGytz3rxZH_LXT_iGoW1vH3-RXBfqDSdOocvWjD_OfKMorlQOa9TqUUH-W4jFOqBgY6hQk78G5NDxbUulbLuo6X0SrufFx7EgXn6i55GRglmNcKDmQp_ih_Z_IwEgNRSKdBOf8tXF6rtsUc8YoFVf4BplEQUa5fdcrxF6ACnovV99uLzgPVB9Pf-35h3c0ATmCU3kw2K9t8bJiW6gevCwZ06H4cXnfzhghGMX8XxWxCSX6WeuFmrHfxAsnLLnAG2ZQq59dkomUU7o8_xMEKqRNIu10fxRKJI7PShIff8pa37ovbuvgi5FEsnu3gDWbSTjLdPZqaMazBH5SCDpwTL6ETKga0YLMufxKuvRqzaM4p2JkfWZDEfg3522tB47_vpe5aMraQsB6rQ6aqLsTPvhMxUtAVRSuIDXzIQ91GJMVrcVdvh_1xqzj_-ySUQYjmoo8o62w_OVDG-gDKeKa21njBIkopGBq1KkyWiCI0nG8QWcBXKl4YzqXm-2o=w800-h600-no


VpY6vigs0vooTqzeBRnxZgcyjrllafL_Qrr3T0v02PsJ0DHTdTxYd6TlrUinqOI9C46mdbdKCaRQ4swOknIIPGXFVKXgAKFpQqwrsWT85OLy1CpuCWfu1ZC0MLALGptMFymjE5QhC1A-HYqCGKk_CdTak1FCcg_OR48fskp8dQhhEBJoXRnDUpELbVqyBufZpRx1V-fvIU1uhH9uaoX3a38bW5JbIUQVXvwCg1n_q30QZ2Ny-iqaMInflvyfFzQ1L7WUOTXUHkMdAGb0kbXrVr7-F_LWG2Dx0GYVT1HHu3lb5rMqntpXQbpUgMSTd8b5rEyz9x32OxBrUZvnLU_RVHP2lj5FXREF4MuCV6Ar9Xbgr1k_7labQAIHU_jnq7jiKY7ufSsNgqOWKETIWoTg4OyCiTufINePmurv4304OEB_rpb4C68CmoWG1HT8xlndK_ZtoL3y0ZiqpGkBOivxFf-FebFxfqX9VsGtD8hFiGSmLrHmwXcWrm9vkI0UJupjIklM89r3ClUFxLfEQrjOeloFA6ENOx0bsVeN0x96ybktcTiyUmYj48f5CpuKvWbHW2dhWDi6HAYKCqLQuTBIp33DzIx1mCg=w800-h533-no


oFWhBVk9mMVPStC3NIXy1xrqYzVV9P2ndVVyiTJEXnTDjrY7dVUUtKQpY21UwdykVmwg8hNnbMX7YFXNncgNJst8v-oAaVVRH7qyro8GfxBC7gQ4KTj76AkK5j0fky4LHjOvh2YYAcJm16KPSMOzxG9HNwPs7eyXjksZ8f-Ul4nMrmRrHljrfERO_aRFuSdnT6QVjKhSyGP_zjMp5W6GuAEk74roI_QgHhpQB7x-jxWebjM1q4TcGfQ_xNocKLC3CaYrCDDNWHWjfnRDptKHi-m1vAzmAGAKFVBW8yEtuU3sLgKxOdkDs2Y89xrPL3EZNu_FRdub8LNW8sUMOISGeJduiMEKkUIeEHpG4RUVXJHVLa1pAY63iwC2ouYw2QVv3Eic3nTZ288Lcn_GdOyO_C0mlX3zh6xlZrd-R1UpDuoWZpp7Owt-M68z042yLMJNubqO_mCiocMHZZwWo-7OSlQ2apPe3GZr_3SLTaUeJummCrcpz8DS2ha9nLbA6P00wAnL6r9pN7f_1e37OxSa6ytnCRIHxSOVtC87wFT66IgNp0ua0Hm8wZPtfINOm4g4veaz-S3aN5RGlN6PdfQFTDqUz2wPFPQ=w800-h600-no


Storage boxes that double as small steps to get into the canopy.
_TYPOJpafprcdlHNKx3R50JoYNVROorfsAXFwulkM4YFNhtagnnxbbrCu5V1yRZYsFpEpMZmMLZT0CYJWBbbOUiHGaUqzZs6WJ4no9ANYzzInjweDpjZeB6rkjPopk12GwKXJfGIyv3E4QF9LAq8Gx2bEtcIjt7sfQ_CYvPRPu2s1p0Ymhted8V7b_-WIn2zHPA-d6pC06fMQXDbV0QSLL03xQKIkoclzyt5wpGhpl2zZRddKXsGlV9Y2iyymdNxk3qoKkKpWsfKoQ6gUaLkiH30mCOyf5y5N8-FDLNZHWF5TH83CgS-CeSzEhQgymk3jx9cpoOXk1zl19EM2sk09OuUBUysuUFPf_EV1CWd0h2DlfKWxM0sBrI4gCR45RfsxCHieeDqYzQ5tH1lZ1Sih_umBGcZbC9UMqpF4c-QumvzesuNDlRIAOolbyiEh228UuQyvjvCMLZd2Z114ThQ0FEfosYA0oBhlTCi5u15GLczZ6agG9GaYjdijmyVyYt8NaCPpYiXqITdIc-9V1kqY-BNWLCHaEc0HLRqERmgBj1K2WbmEySbeE47NgIgeobAPV-_2kZ6tbMfChI79C1Dc7ZXN9pjRgQ=w800-h534-no


lH10R7g6yZKg8UYUrna_tO1cXbw_IJ7p3rWDv4ygWbmZHQ4GgSYLilGSpdky5Lsfl0bz54jLofpR7NEn2qAx5yCO_HqwaPyOCrlNNOPD102mVcwyxIh0M-am0GhxF1q-wvKhbHXv2VAaqvyT38tQ1GHhnNfofT3p9vugvJFnUbnNxJQb_Qc1tAT1ugeEj66YfcV4aQgzmVdB0K8YJ66soqTrxV6XxSqci6W1zRnUEb6AobXjyRW8hDlgCbKWqfg3Q01zkYaj-UbukHateH_yXWQUW5ReMHOm4VPa8DVAo0jKfvqNFrVajTj7eH6nGa6TjWUhWBnzlupxA1RoYRh7gj_uP-0ItYl9tq2-_fjjplVs_45W_AheGBzl2kVTvOYi0DGiYolk-GfTJOlEDOvQVf5S_Fez5cMwlGkyGEsRmwFJR0DQ65pZHkhwh816Db7cMpfo7Q9EWvXEb-7-kEv8DR6EMRAI23QheLzoMxLCStZyhBkPKp_s8o12iAxNuwl6x3sUGHMmeqIGBGGmzz1Ke9X7-WF2va51f3KwhUd7w5Lxkb10VFcUiDiZ4WY7GgzG0QIni_ACVBDuUKYkxXZ6EmGMJmT3KQc=w533-h800-no


tutDT8Py432S1K7pHz8w90SVIZFvmBaKgDqSSQ9FXCaAdl0dn_JBLpc5kPM386aQ5p2ewz9nbsTHJP4S8j8ENKxbJy6K2wyLGOrrXyCTSfARzDoNn7wTBX5WLbsaCw5Dc7w4omdDk38MFzOJhINRFNKI5bcK8UzkOb3gxxeG0S9tfO9k9uVejo8zZ-Mit4b8KCmPdszaZHwE2iE9rn76D8snmsXPZGUGWBIrSCiw_fR9-e17ZVwcqFceV3sTGdSoCfeFdawSjp2mX-Jm5-_qAOcy2F8oyUJ5DglTJ3mhmJMHlEaZxhNRWnS-5cpC_9HnXebEMWkk4jyyl1owT1Igk-8zsNjxUvYDRD9WMD3Xv7S8mLwUC5glzMTjUjjkshgVwS2LVYpn8OtJZGAGzcf44JixKjrCsRTw5SC0DpxSHxILkQGHp-2tg6NM_qRc1kP1Y8qhBTqUOeyf9ShCRskhPzlsBZjJqHqhYFJL7E9vIlglIpl0tQA-xJhpZXcc3OqRe3m7wyRMhb4wjGEjrpRQ6jvzeYdtP-2dvEinHyvhJdMTe8MJsEwesfebToaZluxvbaojwV3Cu8l84kjMDSjkHbO_kQhWOGs=w800-h534-no


The sliding bed extender sitting in the back.
IseWqw4GRM2rlOF9lD2w_C2gsnlBJ59ohsPqewruGzkKOU4XfjyJaASVfc6J3__QXa90dMmM1BLxDMurBr64c0OftKKxpKL5FIqi2bMXza8WbwXpdPRhLTuJ8doYiHbe9eOJUpnaULuu8wL7V9JIIdMWvn0m7JUTHxkVyFQFHDPaDSBs2YxVgG1bZ70nsDqD3HEx9nr6ld-P9QemmgA9SJ21g4grPob1uBIfYv-Nw0k9NRUMyUPfLsDooFVhtExKTkpqbarErXlHsujpf2kUT-ESPdirGy2qyIVpYHP9dXqdo_i3iQEijfnxPrYzU5kvvDTa5jDmt46xwCq-JZXXpXPOpycv4mnPQO-7wv0ck3OfBOzNsF-bhqDJZAB_LKpeVf2rM7jNNNsoXfmHKZRxiQTGxkVR2zMPHnRZc1-Gm_mFKPulzAWVwTOn-uScMek_YJhKZg6mWTbvWby6J7rM1wSQBNgY9vG7mh9TkhqDGjmj2Wm0Vz-pl9YtUxuk1Jjt2LeH8C6SAUEBmRMFkfvrpzSIZ2n3mgROYmWSfH2rxHuMVWHWKuhEmQ_qLI4rXgII8PPLzhOIuah45OWveqNVfqLsTVFLvBQ=w800-h534-no


Full, 6 and half foot bed.

ENUBgUTsJQnOlhtI3v7hc934Zrik9yaL9gsjmrksS3fEiiwa4TgqPRI8fMxu9fIZKDYl947rTf2JMO_GlKtWCTJ-PJvv2CSBuHKofwtDIrsoLeGjNO78A7x_RzkXNlLdmohPs6NEXgV6Kl1GHk-0gLH4u7jIYy0LLbI9K38K7eKR6lo7TVJ1peq1JWNG7KnrK_z1oGP3D_tXVJxUTE6xXMg9_gw2GBPfwuUZhP11mzZIYN_G5UtBEgwFJ7_rkyfRiweSe-abihUwggUeAofhM8zx38nwpL57T0ij25vN0LzD1aAF80LSukN0qOTNIVIxo4oeNMVZ4Te3SqfOY9WmsAJ0YTXVEzSM7Kqf3aKuqPyFwuQvfaDtiLCve30CLIDjsVPzQTNRlVq7JgkEbLmdll2QbR2x2x6JEIECFfnYcCFhLrTQ5LTHf6gnXDPWdf69oWCMZB5bnRLcxUv1ar2tPHpa5PoNocdeaBO8S51WFxPHyVYSbVIyCS4XSxpLbQ9YtFsRkgVNZ5U9yg3n-iGe9p3Xoea_Tdn2qjChpV8FUrCFR-nziRR5IZ6yvYNh2TQ58HMiowcOrAeY9xq3GIYqZT8w6jvnr5w=w800-h534-no


More info in my build thread if you guys are interested! Thanks for taking a look :elkgrin:
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
oh crap I wish I had never seen this thread.
I have a 70 burb and I love the old school body style but miss the stand up space of my van. Now I won't be able to stop thinking about this conversion.
Jumping to your build thread to continue to painful process of planning ;)
 

Kevin108

Explorer
Show closed pics too! That top would look awesome painted to a body-matched color, although I'm sure it's cooler in the sun being white.
 

boll_rig

Adventurer
Show closed pics too! That top would look awesome painted to a body-matched color, although I'm sure it's cooler in the sun being white.

You know I went back and forth about the color for just about ever. Ended up choosing this tan shade of monstaliner bedliner to coat it with. Really wish it matched as well but the heat is crazy when its black. Thoughts on just painting the sidewalls charcoal to match??

oh crap I wish I had never seen this thread.
I have a 70 burb and I love the old school body style but miss the stand up space of my van. Now I won't be able to stop thinking about this conversion.
Jumping to your build thread to continue to painful process of planning ;)


Haha, I do love your old sq body lance! Good lucky sifting through my thread, it was a long time coming and a lot of teaching myself how to do things in the process but I would say go for it. A lot could be improved on my design!

Heres a few photos of it closed.
fO732106GMcXiWpmUkacILtB0xgV2OVOlFcV1yeb9p51rddKhdhaVc_EuyfYmEHK3fDufMscWTf8KDIotGHz5sjfxeaHiIbDuZ6_2u9sE7wXbhqIREAte0foDckQs2QFYTGDNKwlJi73kd8ZXE3lMEu3S845HEEC0Gq-iVAWkV0nl8MBKGfFlhV45s-Jr5Uo3w6S-9BjU2IXsWOf3sRzD8wT1y8_G4uT6-0chnHDi9VR6hwJ_JhcUWCeOxWkBQgazTTAx-MFVXwpzm1Id5hmMfzxxhLUn3VEyf4qNAK56gVJE48rSFdCOLB1gm1-jgAnzb22XZziTvTQILEB8jsexOej0tBDtC5uoA7ZEgDmHJ2tOfJ2ng3-29c5ctEYxbc4fkyFhM9A1AgukoDWXkN5XSfAEY-gilp3nkn_iplJN5kJGoyGLDSSi5_-i-C-qxa27EJ_lOTvM1ay9ITxztr6b6_uLOpnNHKY0y3ms6y6dTy2_CSKsYApP2KDegTkyukmthLQXv9s9WQy7AktVSAZWZBD4uoUNnFpk5XuwrwPTlsCVBxK-KetDUPy5cDNkmB1yk85HQGncHQR7QSD9GFyI_uRNYrN5ynb_IK4uvy7eGl0d4Sk=w1200-h900-no


Qd1Y8hyy4Ac8Nhkb-OQBb1u4ckWFrz6mFxEezJUalTo3L0JMBaV6LQ50QaSWXNioTTCR9mRtdnFQaV09SrpvIeKIIVkH20upQemgumNCXchR2CDRhWPmOZfdMShZTX0smmLAmjtKQIOLfZY1aNuB8lacaE-Ct0ZOnc0sJv-GatBUkpq6K0SEjMs0HFTLTljSsFv5GXYlXYmwqK4MJjb0ZdEC4dqZY9oOztYqZbpPDrYhBpTt-knVjqD98KsU6yFzKJPDiR20OF1giaQxzWBcoZHL0UEwTmaABo4CICStMZXYAd3Xi2nE-K6UYelatpeVU6Z4RVIorGJHYlLh3nx3dleZAUpDBDrmJXS5NVg28IhSA1eRSbdrO_17ppbFSxZvCwFSv-iCRNURAxzJEtm1gk-doAUI-kEDQOy-JLoEfpeEHDH5h6juiQF6XsDDTxKtUuVvXaERDlWvEnHb6nsJU7ZQD5Q2X58l7bCL8o2JOllDZgxqBO32IEp-nPNOJ06U4659F8FqzZF1wm8gfDYjtXxK9yuW9FRUOEblJFEJ8qLsl-4za9rrTcWRWPNVeZitBV7j4RMxbIALQRDwytk2vN81fWUWTXmQVYyqqfKWuzOaDDnM=w1200-h900-no


mid process shortly after pulling it off the wooden mold:
cqzKcDHLiopepEojvU1VVesrUBWVHS0T5FWCqwYExAnt_XFBBAwmhvMcc_4OXmR6H40Wel0zrp8gh1-MUXjfFQ6xb3QFAdEm7_1a43cJCEi2pD3qBpVcy1k3156XQiTCrohamMy-iDyRItfGVINE4dYmMHFVylVtl-lW4HryK6fTjMPFeKZMPqw4_klYSA2A5WlkfeI3fYlUz--MOWV5Sy6npoIUODdniVnfP_YGnDi_kSlly_O3s0oXGp9L0N7RvTj2CHVflsBpa4e0cDoHYNju7gDPGOdoBoOVpUvT0P1Yj7zaJu4l3ofMEih2XxrF8AS2Neme3Q3kv4CLcxzurNth0dZWfeMFgV9K0rPkwsSRSfkVojgJKlKx0dInpNXSzbE9obCIMzrzx7ltgXUaS8GgMXPziXP6KLhfKHrxYjc3UeEK65H4XeRDfW2QiFQCjAVgDDxEMEp-J5sBKdzmfqG_lghRuxx6SQBwjIPg3uBQ9sHPmb33iZpY_ePDXp61GSf3WuvVrtvFlPXNxKwlOPFjRTPcWmcY89zMIHcs_G91C8R-wH2IhuwKfQ3SbzeTg2VsT9hsf3FhPtEPIZ83_BYooKKL7kY=w1500-h1125-no


uoHplZSrmrShDaJUAnVRrfRDp6voGm9seyMGJf12GYfKsgYtb8ldPdm6CqpOcNc9qi39237LofIUj83MQX6f3weFmA34Z-WD0YpIgDwnZfsBE12S7fX7HsWP7Fn9CoMjY_G7KWgLq2PtcTQT-pmkOx6-9cYl5xwwm2zqDA2YL2YbS2jGjTSXO0CQvQtq2Vz2gXBjcV4WSAMBT3_fqQRO1q9HF15T9-APTSNh0lwQ9w_pQ74qv9xEI_O-fA801tDsgrOq_qxt9M6Tz1gukRRPkntELYSrcI0VtIbpxo4TzP5CHDcbfb6MTK-f-jhZSLeslzwwSFoU37TVIgrZQzsUvdRoloubLA3EjAHM09q8QkGKbVMGrqu6uZ4rtTzWmKcc_6JdwgwT7wqfwL3JhfXq-NAQSxTRwRqaZAvN335OQ3iE1OsFo1siDvfdFoAQY8e3jyQdTGpwmwOyeKFLlCHu4Hxj_iyqoU35IkbvhrTkoBZmMgkheeukfi0jlsm4SKyBCuDqfW_w9Bg_Bsf_qYpbFmLSLeA-qkSigBSPbmt7IYiHz8VVzUwqnLKyxs2dHr-buKWj-La8ronARJfOjXk6A3wX1gpVrXQ=w1500-h1125-no


wiring the lights.
UIthILnZPaafytUn2RRUsIjRAgU3o2S9QeNgGR70sEcx4Ahkv584Fnt6GY2odb8XRaLjj2Xi8sItiRy5hfKgMwoZz1Uek0ncBaH5hkake-BfaVcsNyDS041KCNQA-RAmWEjzBmKvkuvlXympiF73oqRrS1i7SRgyDVokSy0H724CVM0tEnHUpHpEm-hjOLqFDhLfEOodvzBTivH2WP3oXnN8D0PTsriU-1cmydhbH9BiYgzP8tKW_dbQQ3vNBrEvdJXXyfRTXWXoUXWutYamSFft85uvU6MbCyU8J_C3AS-zE_yRSe0Q5CJAcQnOlUsd8ftj_q1Zl0jvg041Rz88V_drFf4z6benoSXH8F8dmAJ8rsazjJO8_LKA8nH9Cwrhz_SlTgYz0M32w5u6-bYf4SM4lyKgMEVdda05wU-gW91MAW0ecBw938BTtgC8RQGhhzGFQh-osNuISTjbszeUQUJsnaDt_9r1HBqLF5ujzNI_GVnSMjP8JEPt-xSpUDZCRvmABky8nNKs30Wscr8kGIlJBTGbMGJ7-E1e6RDdAA9on7C3NzCwuAvZTNEYOZULw2k_gFOCT2C613XplYwH-0JoYvoe38jXPiCoOA95qwSHQkqs=w900-h675-no
 

boll_rig

Adventurer
I did but man it would be a nightmare! when my body gets a little more beat up I may very well consider it though. I know geno just did it so I might bug him some more about how bad the process was. It's really not a bad idea uhauler.
 

boll_rig

Adventurer
Congrats on finally finishing! Time to change your signature.

Whats next?

Oh wow I guess I do have to update it. Although its never really finished!

About to leave today for a two week road trip. Going from Boulder to Moab today, then salt lake and who knows where. Hoping to get to the coast though. Have to work a video shoot on the 10-20 of sept so may leave my truck in LA while I do that then pick up where I left off. Pretty excited to get out there and test it out.
 

303Dizzy

New member
So I searched and searched for something like this. I knew that Colorado Camper Van has similar pop up. I called them and asked if they install these on suburban's, he said no right away. He also said there is a kid in Boulder that did it and he spent 25 to 30 hours just trying to talk him through it. He said he doesn't have that kind of time......that was you? Thanks for pissing them off ;) I want to do something like this so bad, but can't find anyone to do it. I don't want to spend the time doing it myself. I think this idea is brilliant. Feel like a company that does this for living says no way, it can't be an easy job. If you have any advise, regrets, fill me in? Curious how you like it so far, pros and cons?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,527
Messages
2,875,534
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top