DIY INSTALL of a TUFPORT HIGHTOP on our EXPRESS VAN

Tufport hightop install on a Quigley 4x4 Chev Express van.

[@1life2pono]

Very well done sir. You have my utmost respect for your skills, and besides your camera operator, it appears you did it all yourself. That is incredibly impressive.

[@luvthigod]

Thanks for taking the time to film it …

[@barrygalbraith1836]

I've watched a few others install the top. You did the best installation with no problems. Great job over all.

[@handyoldfart]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@RuthAnn-f4j]

What an amazing job to watch! Thanks for videotaping it for us to watch. A man with attention to detail.🙌

[@robertbehan9186]

You did an awesome job... uncle! 😂 But seriously, it looks amazing!

[@arch572006]

Great job I learned so much from this video you are a true Master

[@brotherbill1000]

For this dude to say "I'm pretty happy with it" to Tufport is like getting a very positive review from a five star Michelin chef for your dish.

[@handyoldfart]

Ha ha. Too funny. Thanks your too kind.

[@JayCole-v7x]

Awesome job! I want you to know this is the best diy installation job I’ve seen on the net. Better than most professionals. Great attention to detail and even a fit check first. Good job on the fillet seal it will last a lifetime I’m sure.

[@handyoldfart]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@customsolutions7167]

Can't believe you only have 20 comments..😮 your video was good .. and we appreciate that you took the time to make it for us. Learned a couple things along the way.. 😊 Love that it was about doing this build and not a bunch of internal ads trying to get people to buy stuff through affiliates, and no you tube commercials. I hope you keep doing them and that people come and learn a thing or two from your experience. 👍

[@handyoldfart]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@lawolfe2707]

This is an excellent video. I am a visual learner and I learned a lot!

[@handyoldfart]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@straycat62]

Great thorough video showing us your process. Looks like you did a great job. Thank You!

[@MamaBearTravel]

OK, I'm seriously in love with your garage/workshop!!!!!!

[@lulupokes]

Looks great! I agree that filming can be the most work. Happy travels

[@LeneMulan-jt2dc]

Wow super cool man the is my dream van love it you did a fantastic job wish i vould own one

[@cabracove]

Great video. Seriously envy your garage. I have a Tufport as well. In the process of trimming out the transition between it and the van. And building a cabinet over the front seat area. I think all the trim is more work than the top itself.

[@javierruiz3051]

Great style and love something understated as well as no nonsense! You are my hero brother!!!

[@handyoldfart]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@mn7803]

Very good job! Thanks for sharing!

[@Monyornothin]

Consider grounding the frames of your solar panels to the body of the vehicle as they will pick up static electrical charge from the environment just from being on the roof. 👍 My system is going to incorporate a solar combiner box on the roof with lightning protection and grounding. I really like your method of installing that high top I wish they had done that with mine when they built my van! Nice work and good video production ✌️

[@soulsearchgurus1595]

Can I ask what was the supply only price you paid for the Tufport Hightop that you installed . Thanks , Trevor

[@bsc1463]

New sub . Lots of interesting information . Thank you !

[@veterantraveller-dq4re]

Great install and video.

[@laurajphillips]

It’s great you were able to do that but the average person does not have all that equipment. But great job!

[@RM-rz3ph]

Nice job. Where can I find a hightop like the one you have?

[@HayabusaOrlando]

GREAT WORK !!!

[@i-d-m-system.5697]

Great job Thank you so much ❤

[@independentcontractor1633]

Great info. That's strong enough to hold it? Hadn't made it to the screws yet. Disregard. Thanks for the excellent vid.

[@rachellevanderplas3148]

Wonderful work! I just purchased this van with the same top already installed. I would love to know the process you used to cut out your hole for the fan, how you avoided chipping and breaking the fiberglass in the process and how you reinforced the wood to fiberglass connection from the inside. Two of your videos are the only thing I have found that have been at all helpful for me on preparing for my build! Thank you for doing all of this!

[@handyoldfart]

The hole for the fan was cut using a jigsaw with a fine blade. Not much chipping really. I glued wood blocking up around the underside using bondo. Of course the screws coming from the top thru the fan base also hold the wood blocking in place. Good luck with your build.

[@rachellevanderplas3148]

May I also ask what size are your solar panels and did you also do wood blocking inside underneath where the attachment screws are located? I am curious because it seems like my top is just dead space where the panel screws would attach (other than the honeycomb structure of the fiberglass). Thank you again for posting your videos! You are the only good source I have found online dealing with the tuffport and chevy express cargo build. Just absolutely amazing! @@handyoldfart

[@handyoldfart]

@@rachellevanderplas3148 I did not reinforce beneath the fiberglass where the solar panels are screwed. The panels are 100 watts each I don't recall the dimensions. They were from Renogy Solar. Cheers

[@todstrucks2919]

Great job Thank you.

[@anatorres2513]

Looks really good. I plan to see if I can find a high top at a local junkyard but now I know how to install it thank you! If possible could you share the brand of silicone you used to secure the high top to the van and what type of screw you used?

[@handyoldfart]

The silicone is Dowsil 795. There are other comparable products. Look for neutral cure structural silicone. Check with your local glazing contractor where to buy it. People charge crazy amounts on Amazon. It should be about $10 per tube. The screws are #10 wafer head tek screws. be sure to drill a clearance hole through the fibreglass to help prevent cracking. Good luck with your project!

[@anatorres2513]

@@handyoldfart thank you! Subscribed excited to see what you end up building in the van

[@straycat62]

Also as an alternative, I've seen a lot of people recommend and use Sikaflex. It's a polyurethane construction adhesive. It was located at our local Home Depot in the asphalt/shingles/concrete aisle. It was $8.85 here. I resealed my extended high top and took 2 tubes. I did not do a full removal. Says 3 days to full cure. Sika website shows 30% flex. I am happy with results. SKU 442729 "10.1 fl. oz. Sikaflex All Purpose Non-Sag Construction Sealant Polyurethane in White"

[@samuelfox8126]

Who did you buy the top from? Was it shipped to you?

[@tv-up6wz]

good!! 멋지십니다~~

[@bwgilby]

This Is Awesome!

[@jimbo6753]

Kool vid. Whats the interior standing height?

[@handyoldfart]

In the back it is 76" and 73" in the front.

[@STACKYCHAN-u1f]

any tips on where to buy the whole fiberglass thingy?

[@75lihogk]

Did you fabricate the hightop or get a specialist to make it.

[@handyoldfart]

It is a Tufport, made in Canada

[@steveleston1848]

nice roof install .why did you opt to fix up a 120"wheelbase instead of the 155?do you folks in canada have air conditioning in the homes?

[@handyoldfart]

Thanks, the 120" was just my preference for a smaller vehicle. We are just using it for travel to and from destinations. Yes we have AC in our home or do you mean the van? I chose not to install a rooftop unit in the van. Only a fan. It does have the rear AC so we could run the van for a bit to cool it down if it was necessary.

[@drott150]

Unless I missed it, you've carefully concealed and/or failed to mention what type of sealant/glue you used. Most installs I see use the butyl tape for the seal, you appear to be using a windshield type glue/sealant? How did you decide which type to use? Not sure. Otherwise superb installation.

[@jimmyluaferrer4013]

May i know where are you located?

[@handyoldfart]

Alberta, Canada

[@campvanrvadventures]

NICE

[@joeblow1942]

34:40 Why did you use silicone vs a polyurethane like Sikaflex?

[@handyoldfart]

I didn't use standard silicone. It was a structural neutral cure low modulus silicone called Tremco Spectrum 2. Interestingly it does have a urethane component to it.

[@joeblow1942]

@@handyoldfart Is there any advantage to that type of silicone vs a polyurethane like Sikaflex?

[@handyoldfart]

Sikaflex should be ok but would allow a little more flex. I think it is designed more as a sealant than an adhesive. Sika has a product called Sikaflex 292i which would be closer to spec. If you use enough mechanical fasteners any sealant that bonds to painted metal and fiberglass would likely work. You might want to contact the sealant manufacturer for a recommendation as I'm not an expert in that field.

[@joeandgod1]

What's the interior height?

[@handyoldfart]

In the back it is 76" and 73" in the front.

[@joeandgod1]

@@handyoldfart Thanks. I'm trying to look for one for my 2006 e250, but they're so expensive and can only find like 2 companies that do it. Which is strange, you would think there is a big market for this, with all the recent popularity of living in vans.

[@nflightvideo7787]

Curious, what's your gas mileage now?

[@handyoldfart]

I keep track of all of the fills in a fuel app. This is interesting. We did 2 trips from Alberta to Toronto. One before installing the hightop and one after. Both trips were about 6500 kms round trip and consisted of 11-12 fill ups each trip. Because of the larger tires the speedo is out about 1 1/2 percent but that doesn't matter for comparisons anyway. Before the hightop 13.97mpg---after installing the hightop 13.08mpg. These are Canadian gallons.😁

[@magalyrodriguez8309]

Wow looks very nice 🚐🇺🇸💞

[@handyoldfart]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@GrantSR]

I pull my pants up just fine in a minivan. It just requires a different technique.

[@handyoldfart]

Ha ha, yup humans are pretty bendy...

[@T.Vesper]

Nice work! Would you be willing to help out with an install? I can leave you my contact info. Thanks.

[@davidasgari953]

HI- PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOU BUT FIBERGLASS ROOF FROME THANKS