Converting a Camper back to a Bus???

Benno 03 Learner Dubber

2 posts · joined Nov 2009 · 6 Jan 2010, 2:18 pm

#756004

Hi Guy's,
I am looking at buying a Kombi that has the camper roof fitted.
Does anyone know if it's possible(everything is po$$ible right) to return the Camper back to a Bus by replacing the roof.
Anyone know someone who has already done this or know of any companies that will do it properley.
Thanks in advance, I'm just coming back to VW's after what feels like far too long with out one.
Cheer's Benno...

Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds

2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 6 Jan 2010, 2:57 pm

#756012

This is possible but I'm wondering why you would bother.

You could feasibly remove the entire fibreglass roof (upper and lower), plus the mechanism and the fabric. This leaves you with a very large hole. You would need another Kombi as a donor vehicle, as the metal roof panel is shaped and has reinforcing ribs that run across the car. This would have been cut away and removed to make the camper in the first place. You would NOT just weld in a flat sheet of steel - you need the factory cross ribs.

Also the inside of the camper roof - at least in factory Sopru ones - is upholstered and trimmed to match the fibreglass roof. Even once you replace the steel roof, you would have to re-trim the roof.

Then what do you do with all the camper fittings - cupboards, fridge, stove, gas and lines, sink, water tank, 240V fitting and wiring, raised vinyl-covered wooden floor? You can't realistically keep using them without a pop roof as you can't stand upright. You could remove all the camper fittings (re-filling the body cutouts for the water and LPG tank, and the 240V plug) and fit seats, belts, floor mats and trim panels from a Microbus - which means you need a donor Microbus.

Surely it would be easier to just look for a nice Microbus, which is already the way you want it?

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 6 Jan 2010, 3:17 pm

#756017

Phil74Camper wrote:Surely it would be easier to just look for a nice Microbus, which is already the way you want it?

mmmmm................. sometimes i think it would be easier to convert

HEAPS of campers for sale compared to the number of GOOD micro's

Futue te ipsum!!!

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 6 Jan 2010, 5:23 pm

#756038

You may spend $5000-$10,000 converting from a camper to an 8 seater bus professionally

You may spend the same buying a reasonable to good 8 seater bus. Your choice, but at least you can sell the complete camper you have now to help buy the good 8 seater.

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Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 6 Jan 2010, 7:12 pm

#756063

could always do like roy at the busstops galah bay, put a button on vinyl cover over the hole, and have a sardine top kombi 😂

71-BEETLE-SEDAN AKA Josh

1,058 posts · joined Mar 2009 · 6 Jan 2010, 7:22 pm

#756065

Just take it out and make it a massive sunroof, or like they do at west coast customs and put a big sheet of lexan or perspex in there.

Even better mae a persprex box o put on top and drive round waving to people like the pope.

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 6 Jan 2010, 7:23 pm

#756066

Joel wrote:could always do like roy at the busstops galah bay, put a button on vinyl cover over the hole, and have a sardine top kombi 😂

😂

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Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 6 Jan 2010, 7:28 pm

#756067

yep, would look alittle something like this 😂

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colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 6 Jan 2010, 7:47 pm

#756072

could be worse

Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds

2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 6 Jan 2010, 9:21 pm

#756098

The Sopru Campmobile factory used to make Australian campers by cutting the hole in the roof with a template and power nibbler, and they just threw away the large piece of roof metal (and cross bars) that were removed. Every other local camper converter - Swagman, Trakka, Dormobile - did the same. This reduced the strength and stiffness of the body shell considerably. The fibreglass replacement section put a little strength back, but not nearly as much as before. Putting in a lexan/perspex sheet, or heaven forbid a flappy vinyl sheet, and the result is a bendy and twisty Kombi bodyshell.

German Westfalia campers were different - they used a specially-made Kombi bodyshell that was ordered especially from the Hanover Transporter plant. It had a different roof pressing that had the roof hole designed in, with an additional lip and strengthening panels around the perimeter. There was NO cutting out roof holes there. A bit like the difference between a genuine Cabrio Beetle and a chop top.

You could still make a Microbus out of a stripped Camper - just leave the pop-up roof and existing roof lining in place. Much more room inside, and more flexibility for family trips. The slightly greater drag is miniscule compared to the Kombi's already brick-like aerodynamics, and around town and in traffic there's no difference at all.

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