1 Man poptop install on a brand new VW T6.1

VW T6.1 DIY campervan conversion. Follow along with this van build series as I convert a commercial van in to a cool camper van FOOKIN PUTIN
alright campervanners. Anyone else reading the news and feeling powerless to help. Well here’s a couple of charities that are worthwhile donating to. Either click the link or just Google the charity name and donate summat, even if it’s only a couple of quid it’s gotta be better than nowt right?
bit.ly/decorguk
dec.org.uk Donate to this charity and the UK government will match your donation. So you can get the government to send some of that fuel tax that you're currently having to pay to the Ukraine, hows that for Karma! DEC is made up from 15 humanitarian charities including the Red cross and save the children
bit.ly/unicefu...
UNICEF are a childrens charity that are on the ground helping the children and parents of Ukraine with clean water, food and life saving supplies
Disclaimer
I've created bitly links as the web address was too long, obviously there is nothing in it for me other than not feeling totally helpless. As second hand van prices have gone stupid I thought sod it I’ll buy brand new, what could possibly go wrong!
bit.ly/denbypop...
www.copter-cam....
/ coptercamuk
/ coptercam.co.uk

[@shabba168]

FYI the brackets that you fitted after the front frame they you had to make the plate for actually go on first. They use the original holes for the plate that holds the grab handles. The holes line up with the ones in the van. Put your riv nuts in and boom easy

[@KBeadle]

thanks shabba, I was a little confused about that as the instructions aren't very clear and the bracket seems to be the wrong shape to fit above the frame rather than underneath it

[@simonrhodes661]

I’m struggling with this too. To me it looks like the plate should go up against the roof. On the passenger side drill out the rivets and fit rivnuts on the grab handle to hold bracket. On the drivers side drill holes in the same place and fit rivnuts. Looking closely at the pictures in the instructions it looks like this is how it should be done. What do you think? I am also a bit confused about the cut out and the front brace alignment. What is the correct way to do this?

[@greggillies1320]

@@simonrhodes661 which make is the pop top?

[@simonrhodes661]

@colin B Front frame I attached using rivnuts. The position is based on the pictures in Denby instructions. I have a grab handle on the passenger side which I removed prior to fitting the frame. I didn’t used the grab handle holes. Make sure you use plenty of mastic on the top side of the frame to avoid any creaks. The hinges fit according to Denby instructions. Again I used rivnuts. The position of holes is marked out according to the existing roof rack bolts. All pretty straightforward really. Although quite daunting at the time.

[@age_of_reason]

That plywood storage under the floor is brilliant.

[@Christopherh28861]

Absolutely love your content I’m considering fitting a pop top to my t5 myself after watching it all.

[@scottharvey9055]

Enjoyed your work Karl

[@ChuckleVision7]

At last....A home brewed conversion technician,using nothing but initiative, the proper parts and the proper tools... Some of wich..home made ! Oh and I can remeber those drills with plugs too 🤣 I also have one in my garage... its next to my battery charger,and spare battery 🤣🤣🤣👌😋 Also. . Can I have that lovely rivnut installation setter to complete a few jobs that some other Turkey started on my day van ??? I'd love to tackle a pop top myself conversion... maybe I will this summer while I'm away in germany working !?🤔🤔🤔

[@simonmiddleton4977]

So just when I was feeling good about fitting my diesel heater myself, you up load this amazing video! I know you have done a pop top before, but what always amazes me is how cool, calm and collected you are even with the added pressure of filming yourself, but with humour too! Can’t wait to see the rest of the build. 👍😃

[@KBeadle]

although my head does feel like it will explode at any moment

[@penfoldsadventures4506]

Nice shiny new van , very impressed with rachet lift. I am half way through my van , rivet set would be very useful 👍. Looking forward to seeing van build , Thanks for all your tips your videos have been well handy.. Regards Martin.

[@howardtennant5766]

Totally impressed with your thought process you've either learnt from previous problems or you've sat for hours thinking about solutions for up and coming problem's. Still very impressed 👍

[@KBeadle]

I think its 30 plus years of finding solutions to problems teaches you the art of problem solving. That and if you work for yourself for as long as I have then there's no one else to ask

[@djlouisb7560]

Brilliant videos looking forward to the next new episodes ! the Riv Nut gun looks very handy 😀

[@simongreen28]

I think my bank ballance may regret me finding these van build videos.

[@dayneditiont5.163]

Another awesome video fella 👍 In the middle of our own conversion so we will be glued to this build. 🤟

[@colinhill6287]

Wish I had half the talent that you have Mr Beadle. If I had one of thoses Revnuts I’d use it for repairing my old Type 2 69 Devon👍

[@tdlewington]

Great video, thanks Karl! Our camper conversion doesn't have a PopTop yet but having watched this I think we need to get on and install it!

[@lomax40jd]

Everybody loves a Rivnut Karl! so many uses, I would use it in my ever evolving self build camper, it will surely be better that an assortment of self tappers. Love the channel, yours channel was the first one I found that shows a start to finish diy poptop! Thank you Sir!

[@Silty78]

Just planning my 1st conversation and stumbled across this cracking video. After watching you fit that pop top I'm really tempted to give it a go. Any tools to make a conversation easier are always welcomed . Keep up the good work.

[@evieread9319]

Looking forward to this build as I enjoyed the first one a lot very informative!!! Cheers

[@smcdonnell22]

I've never been brave enough to do what you've just done but after watching your video I may just try. Keep the videos coming 👍

[@DanTheManIOM]

On an old vehicle, sure, but a BRAND NEW one ? IDK, I'd agree with you.

[@doraexplora9046]

What a great addition.

[@paulmabley9697]

Amazing piece of kit I would use that to secure my shelving in my T6

[@justinroberts73]

Just finished my driveway T6 conversion. Always enjoy watching DIY builds. Keep up the good work, keep the content coming!

[@harezy]

Wow that was pretty dame cool. Brave man doing that but lovely job. Gonna be good viewing

[@ThePorridgeGobbler]

What a riveting vlog with clear and understandable instructions.

[@KBeadle]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robgreenhill1426]

Fabulous. I could do with one of those for my overland project

[@MrCatacas]

Love the conversion projects! The rivnuts are really useful for all sorts of sheetmetal work. Thumbs up for giving one away!

[@andyluckman102]

I would use this tool to add a cranked table leg to my old nail of a T4 project 😃

[@markthompson1479]

Brilliant That's one of the best and most entertaining cool videos I've seen...... and I've seen thousands

[@glennclark762]

I loved watching you previous video installing the pop top, very clever way to do it. Thumbs up for the rivet tool 👍

[@overlandvan]

Good to see another van being built on the drive! I'm in the process of converting a low roof 4x4 Sprinter and a rivnut tool is certainly on my list of must-haves to anchor furniture and fittings.

[@autovagauto6329]

Amazing job 👍🏻👍🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jimmy_jivefunk]

i've gone from a t4 to a jumbo transit, so this is no use to me. BUT the title drew me in, and your clear but fun and informal style kept me here! thanks dude, i really enjoyed that!

[@OmarSayami]

Always funny and cool how you fit this challenges! Awesome work!

[@KBeadle]

I try

[@ingridshepherd2168]

Great video, just bought a Caddy last week, and conversion is in progress!

[@murraydl8149]

Excellent work my friend. T6 on its way to me for conversion. Now that tool would be a handy addition 😀

[@Pwilliamz]

cant wait to see the van progress into a camper and if iam lucky enough to win the RivNut i would firstly use it on the wifes gob to keep her quiet while i finish my conversion.

[@hughrooney9836]

Great job- you make it look easy!

[@christeece-millington1641]

You make it look so easy fitting your poptop no panicking when cutting roof out . Love watching your videos have just started converting my 2004 VWT5 so rivnut tool would come in handy. Look forward to your next videos. Stay safe Chris. 👍

[@robbiemulholland8412]

So amazed what one man can achieve your an inspiration and I want one of those riveting tools as my T5 needs some little extras and that tool would be perfect as long as I can squeeze those handles!!!

[@robinpeck9854]

Would use it for adding a pop top to a van! Top work!

[@craiggavu5949]

wow, i am very inspired

[@ianhemming1976]

Necessity is the mother of invention they say ! Great video thanks I’d use it to install multi points to fix and adjust a bed frame 👍

[@themekfrommars]

You're a brave man doing that outdoors! I would use the Rivnut gun to finally attach the ladder I've had in the garage for the last 3 years to the back of my Land Rover! I have never committed to buying the Rivnut tool I need for this job! But I have dithered extensively

[@bpn6c1]

Brilliant session again, always nervous to cut the big hole

[@yoki9743]

"I;d love to win the Rivnut Gun so that when I bave put my pop top on I can say... just like you......Thats the most challenging bit done...." love the channel... looking forward to this build just like the others.... Thanks Karl, good luck and stay safe....

[@cwoollett100]

Brave man fitting your own roof, nice work! I would use the rivnut gun to fit my tv mount to the b pillar of my t5.1 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@sublicenseable]

Nice work! You make it looks easy.

[@down4first774]

Another perfectly performed production of professionally performed perseverance and pop top pop ins. I would use it for riveting nuts of course, I’m not an animal 😂 would come in handy for my f45 wind out awning install. Great video Keith. Thanks

[@KBeadle]

😂

[@jackg5147]

Glad you’re doing another van build. I would use the riv nut gun to mount my 12/240v electrics under the drivers seat.

[@nialoconnellphotography]

Looking forward to this. Thanks for your very informative videos 👍👍

[@truth5054]

The rivnut tool, is just what I need to start my project off. Keep up the good work buddy

[@carlpeterson1888]

Just stumbled and found your channel.... At first I thought it was Jason Plato.. Doing campers 😂 what a clever bloke you are loved you're pulley idea.... Just bought a caddy to convert would love you rivnut tool..... With three vw's now and a dog called jetta..... Me loves anything to do with Vw's..... Going look through your back catalogue

[@KBeadle]

Welcome to the channel

[@petermac79]

Excellent work, I'd add the riv nut gun to my meger tool collection which I'm trying to expand for my classic car jobs

[@TheHoveringScotsman]

Subbed and a thumbs up, looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@grumpywoodiam]

Just about to fit the main bed frame to my first conversion for 15 years, the rivit nut gun would be a great tool to add to my collection. Great informative videos. Thanks for posting

[@KowalskiBrothers]

My Kombi dual cab needs a cool canopy. A rib it device is what will make it a precise job.

[@edrowling8217]

Riveter nutter looks great ild use it for attaching sheet metal to board material, for feature walls

[@TomGarner4505]

I would use that rivnut gun for many things, fixing my boat and just maybe DIYing my next camper.

[@rich1jd]

Used my first rivnut tool many years ago on a mini door skin, back then they were very hard to get hold of, you needed this to mount the door mirror, great videos keep them coming

[@CoopTroop78]

Fantastic job. Ive been considering fitting a pop top for a while now, maybe I doing once the better weather comes.

[@carolineellis3713]

Looking forward to the next video. Informative, funny and love the ingenious approach to installations. Great timing as we’re hoping to start our journey of conversion once we find our van. Using the rivnut is defo the way to go 👍

[@KBeadle]

Hi Caroline you won! I have sent you a message

[@carolineellis3713]

@@KBeadle fantastic thank you so much. A bit new to this KZbin community so let me know how to get in touch. Thanks again and keep up the brilliant videos 👍

[@KBeadle]

@@carolineellis3713 you can email me [e-mail]

[@carolineellis3713]

@@KBeadle I’ve sent you an email with my address 👍

[@andycunnington2079]

Great vid I have a t6.1 arriving end of April so this tool would come in handy

[@guidok3762]

Great video, greetings from the Netherlands

[@markkinsella8788]

Great Job Karl

[@Rob__C]

Nice one! I would use the rivnut gun to install straps to the ceiling of my van for carrying surfboards on the inside.

[@Coco-Moll]

Hi there! I'm watching you from Transylvania! You do a great job! This RivNut will be the best to help me to do a box for keep the Dracula inside forever. JK. I will keep it like a thesaurus because it's from you. And you are the best. I'm thinking how you do, alone, all this great things and this make you a amazing guy! Keep doing!👏👍💪

[@Hitchhiker_campers]

Top vids bro. I would use it for putting anchor points in my camper so can hang a hammock inside. Keep the content coming

[@kevsnell]

So many uses for the rivet tool on the van. Doing my own pop top!!

[@johnwhite8180]

Common sense approach. Cheers for the info and thanks for the Nut rev 🔫 . 🥳🥳👍

[@teeth2k]

Looking forward to the build, I would use the rivnut gun for frame work on construction of man cave and garden features build

[@EdTurner.]

Nice one Karl, I see the portable gallows are in action again, I was going to get myself a rivnut tool for my birthday at the end of this month, I seem to have been volunteered to repair all the old fellas that my dad golfs with electric caddy carts,(seems they all have 2 broken ones each) I have to fit 2 rivnuts to each to accept the new motor controllers. Been winding them in with nuts and a bit of threaded rod until now ....like an animal. Ed

[@outwrite11]

Nice work Karl! Cutting up a brand new van must be a little nerve racking, but you know what you're doing eh!

[@pdubs7831]

What a legend! Sir I wish I was wearing a hat so I could take it off to you

[@iancartwright40]

Nice job, like the way you had set up winch system for roof to make it a one man job👍 I would use the Rivnut tool for many DIY jobs saves a lot of time messing around with nuts and bolts especially in areas where it's hard to get to boths sides.

[@simonstork9404]

Having my bodywork tarted up on my 29 yr old t4 then I can finish the upgrades I started. You have made your jobs look easy, mine however have taken ages..I’m sure a rivnut tool would help speed up a thing or two so I will keep watching and learning something new every vlog..thanks

[@silverlinkz]

Awesome job, you make it look effortless, Rivnut gun.... mmmm so many uses?? think I would just rivnut to death my new shed I'm building...

[@kristenconnery3221]

I love the acc on my caddy maxi, it's amazing. Another great video. The tool would be handy for tackling a few jobs on the caddy to be ready for when these restrictions get eased. 🤞 Look forward to the rest of the build.

[@robertshelton630]

Another Great Video Karl- as a 21 year old newbie to the VW Conversion world, you are the inspiration to myself and ol' man. Caddy Maxi conversion is in full swing and I've definitely got the Rivnut on my list of tools to use for furniture and bulkhead lining! Keep up the good work I can't wait for the next video!

[@darrenparfitt1520]

Great video. Great to see your ingenious solution to a problem for anyone doing a camper self build. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Also, I’d love the riv nut gun 😀

[@HittheroadMax]

Great video! I have to make the exact same in France! Congrats, that makes me confident I can do it as well!

[@stevedixons]

Great video, it’s certainly made my mind up for me. I will not be carrying out a conversion 😂🤣😂

[@jasonannesley5889]

Brilliant. What an engineer. Simple when you know how.

[@jackmorton2878]

That’s it! I’m doing the pop top my self. Transit custom roof, I’m coming for you! Great video Karl 👍🏻👍🏻

[@DraiochtR]

Cool! I wanna make a removable light bar on my VW Amarok.. a riv nut gun sure would come in handy!

[@hrve]

Another great video Karl. Superb as always. Love your logical thought process and solutions for everything. Hoping to start converting my van soon, so a rivnut gun would be helpful. I haven't decided whether to have a go at installing my own pop-top roof though, although you make us all feel confident enough to have a go. Thanks and keep them coming.

[@neilfrom1983]

Wow you made that look easy by pulling out some hacks out the bag. I broke my Rivnut tool fitting a heater. Now I need a new one because I fancy having ago at fitting a pop top.

[@anthonymimms91]

See your last pop top fitting, but now a new van! I would be crapping myself using a can opener on it. Great vids. I want your captive riv gun. Aint got a clue what for yet but as an avid tool collector (and user) I'll soon find a use. Keep up the great show👍

[@garethasher186]

Hello, another great video. I've started my t5 conversion because of you informative videos. I would love to win this ready for when I do my pop top. Thanks, looking forward to seeing the rest of the build 😀

[@leeglaves6300]

I learnt from Karl how handy the rivnut tool is! I would love this for my van build

[@lioncrunch]

Great video, so calm cool and positive, great accents, I constantly worry about putting holes in my pristine 09 T5, I wish I had your confidence. Just like you I always work on my own, love your pop top cart, reminds me of the beam carts we had “it ‘t’ mill.” As for the Rivenut gun so much easier than my nut & bolt method, would give me extra confidence in my endeavours to convert my very expensive van. Not done bad though, fitted under van heater, didn’t have to drop tank, teed into auxiliary heater pick up pipe. Fitted leasure battery, sliding bed, etc etc.

[@silvermintstudios2251]

First time ever commenting on a KZbin video. Your first camper build series was excellent and I must confess I was wondering what you could add to it but so far (after two) it’s very different. 👏 Roll on number 3 🙂

[@neilfarrow9816]

Wow, great videos and content. Riv nut tool would be great for attaching cabinets in my future conversion.

[@sIikBeav3r]

Well sir, you have inspired me to install a poptop myself. I'd use the Rivnut to help do just that!

[@mattsgreen]

Your previous series helped inspire my self build conversion. I've gone overboard though and got myself a bright red LWB Boxer.....!

[@leytonpeterson3497]

You sir are a motivation to just try stuff, got on your channel from Furze, but I look forward to your humor and ingenuity at a level I can aspire to. Don't need the tool, thanks anyway, and Canada is a long ways away. I'm more of a woodworker. All the best to you!

[@KBeadle]

thanks

[@comfortablynumb8832]

@@KBeadle this guy should win the tool👍

[@richardbarry8399]

Liking ya lifting rig ;-) the riv-nut tool would come in very handy on my current project & then I’d have one for my Van when it finally arrives :-)

[@JaredBackstrom]

Absolutely love the videos Karl! Very informational and entertaining. Keep up the great craftsmanship!

[@HeLliShSiN]

Awesome video! I'd like to install a pull out tray (on sliders) and make it removable. A few rivnuts on the floor would be amazing for this purpose!

[@oOLLOYDOSOo]

Looks a great project and will be following along 👍 would be a useful tool for a poptop for myself 😬

[@grichgeordie]

If lucky to be chosen I'd use it to replace all the crap rivets and self tappers I've used on my lockdown redundancy conversion...Happy days! 😁

[@kevinleaver405]

I love the timber frame to lift and hold the pop top, great ingenuity! I’m looking to convert a T6 in the near future and the Rivnut tool would come in really handy if I were lucky enough to win. I’m looking forward to following you on this conversion journey. Kev

[@richardunderwood5265]

Initially I wasn't sure but the more I watch this chap the more grew to love him. Really original take filming wise, sort of raw and natural which certainly resonates with most DIYers as it's never a perfect environment like some 'how to' vids are put out. Really inspiring, would love to spend a couple of weeks learning from this chap. Only thing that gave me the shivers was sealing up the rivnuts with what looked like silicon sealer.....a complete no-no on autobody work as it degrades very quickly. I would have gone for tiger seal. I did 'temp' seal on my van with a silicon sealant...failed very quickly as it just can't cope with the UV and chemical environment of being on the road, washing etc. What do people think about this?