INVESTIGATOR 563

I’m dreading putting my pop top assembly back together and thought I’d ask here for anyone with a better alternative. I’ve seen people hinge them from the front but I really like being able to stand up in the cabin and look in all directions. Has anyone figured out something better? I’m thinking like a gas strut car boot setup or something?

Hi Greg

I've just been doing some maintenance on my pop-top. Glad to say it's working much more smoothly now.

I'd be happy to send you photos of what I've got, I think it's original if that would help? Mine has the remnants of a very ole elastic occy strap hanging off it. I haven't quite figured out where it goes/went yet.

You could experiment with a gas strut as little as $10 at bunnings.

Take a look at what the caravan industry does. if you google caravan pot top "images" there are some different options.

These ones ( https://www.outbackequipment.com.au/can ... xaEALw_wcB ) are spring-loaded and $120 ea and of course you'll need 2. They look like they're galvanised.

The trick would be to find something in stainless steel.

Good luck with it. let us all know how you go.

Cheers
Mambo

Pic of the Cole 23 pop top mechanism which is a dream to operate. Just push the tubular bar upwards and top lifts vertically - and stays there. Pull down with not much extra pressure than up movement and down it closes

Pushing upwards. Is it spring loaded No Way? Sounds brilliant but can’t quite make out how it works

Hi Greg, my pop top had lugs left there , i'm guessing shock cord was attached to it somehow. Even bought the shock cord and some pulleys to try a system but never got around to it. The shock cord's now used for my el cheapo dual purpose "tiller brake and weather helm negator"

My chariot had the shock cord fitted but I took it out. I couldn’t see the value. It wasn’t like it worked both sides at once. Maybe someone can explain it but it seemed just as easy to work the slide button manually.

I would like to raise the height and improve the action as an engineering project as I can’t stand under it. But then as yet I haven’t had a need to so not highly motivated.

But if someone else does it and posts the plans I will be the first to plagiarise it.

That Cole pop top looks awesome! As some of you would have experienced, it’s not much fun driving your head into the roof to lift it while you fight the toggles either side all while trying to keep the whole thing steady. The Cole one looks much less infuriating. This requires further “Investigation”!!

Yes Ozzie its spring loaded. Both arms have tracks at aft end and a 20mm dia s/s spring between the lower ends (the connections on the coach house) Because the top and bottom forward connection points are vertically in line it "pops" vertically not backwards like the I563