I'm a newbee here and I just got a 1996 Econoline E150 van which has a hi-top conversion. The van runs great and I don't need the hi-top and would like to either go back to the original roof or get a hi-top that's not too high. I want to use this van for work but our parking garage fits only 7' 4" max. and we don't have open space parking. The van stands at 9' 1" tall. It's great that even a 6' 3" person can stand up straight inside the van but parking can be a problem.

Also is the roof somehow just bolted on as I can see there seems to be a rubber type seal just where the roof sits on all around.

Thanks and this is one very informative site! It rocks!

 

i belive it is screwed and glued down. take the usually black band off the base unscrew the 200 screws and pry it off LOL. search the wrecking yard for a replacement and slap it on though not sure how the interior will end up looking though.

 

I'm thinking of searching wrecking yards for bubble tops which aren't as tall as the 24" that I have now. Does anyone know what model years would be compatible to my 96 E-150? Also will other E-series (not extended chassis) work? Thanks!

 

It is my understanding that critical dimensions have not changed in years. Any year 92 and up should fit. Possibly even older vans may have the same roof dimensions. Good luck.

Brian

 

Hi there:
I believe that any '92-up Econoline regular wheelbase top would fit.

A factory roof would be a tough replacement job--you'd have to do a lot of welding and at least rustproofing/painting if you didn't want to bother with a lot of finish bodywork. The idea of going to a junkyard with a large can opener is amusing to me

Over the years, I've had two Turtle Top vans (which involved only a partial cutout of the roof) and the fiberglass would deteriorate--sagging and leaking--so if you want to go with a shorter high top, make sure it's very healthy. (Moving it, lifting it up, etc. will not be fun either) As new a top as possible would make sense, and the quality level of the fiberglass in these things varies greatly, I'm sure. (You might do a lot of damage simply removing one or transporting it...)

It's obviously late to say this, but my guess is that the costs involved with your project may end up simply not being worth it unless you can find a real cheap junkyard top. (And be absolutely sure that the new top is going to be short enough to fit in the parking garage.) It might almost be worth selling off the van and finding a conversion without a raised roof. My last two vans (including my current '02 E150) have had the stock roof, and it's a good thing because they can fit in most parking garages, go through car washes, and if I roll the van off the side of a mountain, I feel a lot better about structural integrity. (A nephew of ours rolled a hi-top van some years ago and although he was OK, the top basically came off the van in pieces...

George

 

There's a Mobility place near my house that specializes in installing high tops. It would be a great place to get an idea of what's involved. I'd think these guys could even take a slice out of your existing top to make it lower?

Look for a place that converts vans to wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Classic Coach Mobility welcome's you!