Prado 150 Roof top conversion

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

Morning. I have not seen this discussed - perhaps if I missed it - could someone point me to the right thread, please?

I have a very well-thought-out and kitted out 2011 Prado for Overlanding, Alu Cab Rooftop tent, 2nd and 3rd-row seats removed and kitted out so I have everything I need and want.

Except for one thing:

Where do I sit when the weather is bad or it rains.

I don't want to swap vehicles - there isn't anything that will give me what I have in the Prado.

I have therefore decided to do a Rooftop Conversion - (like those done with the Troopy or Defender or LC 76 station wagon.

it will be a custom-built RTT (not Alucab - it won't fit) and the pillars will be strengthened as well. I have an Engineer making sure that will work.

Building the cupboards in the back is a real pita - those wheel arches are ginormous! Making the template is tricky (for me)

Has anyone here done this?

[Piggy Water pistol pilot. Find all posts View Profile Close Piggy]

I'm lost. So you have a kitted out car now, with a RTT (Alucab) and are going to do another rooftop conversion with another RTT? I dont see how this will alleviate you have no where to sit in inclement weather?

Put an awning on it, with sidewalls if needed. Sit in there, or you always have the front seats.. I'm sure I'm missing something in the big picture.

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

Thank you for trying
Let me try again

My Prado is well set out - with an RTT at present

I want to take that off, remove everything inside (just leave 2 front seats) - so back to an empty vehicle, and start again - but this time with a Rooftop conversion.
Perhaps you are not familiar with this? Google Troopy Hercules conversion to get an idea of how it works

The Prado will then be set up in the back like the Troopy - two rows of cabinets, and you can walk down the middle.

An Awning isn't practical at all. Neither are side walls when Overlanding in my situation.

[Piggy Water pistol pilot. Find all posts View Profile Close Piggy]

"Walk down the middle of a prado" is a big ask. Maybe crawl or shuffle. If you were in Australia, it would all need to be engineer approved. I would suspect the answer is No, No-one has done this.

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

Thank you for your post. The template for the back layout has been done, and it is doable space-wise. Probably not so doable if you are 6"5 with size 14 shoes, which I am not.
The Prado will still be under GVM.
Although not required here, I have chosen to have an engineer involved for safety reasons.

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

Check out penthouseonwheels on Instagram, he has extended the body by grafting on a short rear cut and has fabricated a pop top.

Lee

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

thank you - I will do so !!

I have just been to see what a conversion looks like on a LC 76

The LC76 is no longer in length in the loading bay (including 2nd row seats) than my Prado. In fact I think I might have 50 - 100mm more in length, but the sides are more curvy on the Prado.
The space is more than enough for what I want.

The recommend a passage width of 400mm, and I have space for that.

I am really keen to get this done, as the Prado has everything a Hilux, LC or any other vehicle can offer me. Of course it is a personal choice, but my car is soooooo good - I dont want to swap vehicles.

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

The build has started - for those who are interested.

[sparksy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sparksy]

So like a VW Kombi camper?

Are you looking at putting a bed up there like the campers have.

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

Sparksy, more like the Toyota Troopie roof conversion (or the Landrover defender or the Toyota 76 series)
(Andre St Pierre White has done several on Troopies - 4xoverland.com - you can see his conversions on YouTube also - he now lives in Oz)

to see what it looks like - Alu Cab does conversions - but not on the Prado - but you can get the idea of how it is done here:
https://www.alu-cab.com/products/alu...f-conversions/

This is the first time it will be done on a Prado. Our research hasn't picked up any conversions done on a Prado to date.

They are now working on building the frame on the vehicle that will support the roof tent. Besides the roof conversion, they will also be doing the cabinets in the back, with a narrow passage to walk in. So it is a big conversion.

[Strewth Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Strewth]

I have a Prado and have often wondered about doing this. I will be following your project with interest

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

I have a Prado and have often wondered about doing this. I will be following your project with interest

Thank you.

The project is under way, and the first portion of the roof is almost done, the lid should go on next week. The inside is also being done by them with cabinets etc.

The Prado 150 is quite curvy - and as this has never been done before, they have to build templates from scratch. And everything needs to be shaped and curved.

The bed is not as wide as an Alucab RTT (I think that one is 1200mm) as the bed now have to fit inside the roof dimensions - making is narrower. Length I think around 2 meters, but will be measured once done. Of utmost importance is that my completed vehicle heights must still be under 2200. And of course all bedding must still fit inside.

Alu Innovasions do export to OZ - if you follow 4x Overland - you will see Andrew now has one of their conversions on his Troopy. The chassis of the Prado is suitable for this conversion.

Toyota SA has seen the vehicle as well, and the comments were interesting and encouraging.

[Strewth Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Strewth]

Hi, any updates or photos of your project?

[Fiddler Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fiddler]

Hi Strewth
Thank you for asking

The roof part is almost complete - and here is a photo of the dry fit -

It must now go for spray painting, then rubbers are fitted so it can be fitted on the vehicle and sealed.

The base will be the same colour as the vehicle (they check the colour via the vehicle's VIN number to match the colour) and the top lid will be black.

We are also busy with the storage in the back - the framework for the drawers and cupboards. Measured to fit my specific items.

We are aiming to be finished in 4 weeks time, but we have so much load shedding and when there isn't electricity (it's africa) work slows down.

Please ask if there is anything specific you would like to know

[Strewth Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Strewth]

Wow, massive project. What do expect the roof conversion to weigh when its completed?