Turret hole enhancement ideas

[Guruman]

I'm working to resolve my leak prone turret hole before winter.

Found this in the inter webs a while back: https://builtmfg.com/2016/11/14/moonroof/




I like the idea of letting the sky in a bit, but... It'd be nice to be able to pop it open on demand without climbing on top with an impact in hand.

I'm shopping for ideas, anyone done or seen something cool with the turret hole?

I actually got a quote from a company that manufactures plastic domes, and a flanged 1/2 thick acrylic dome 12 inches tall, would be about $2k, but I still would not be able to open it easily.

 

[wheelspinner]

My permanent one will be welded in and bodyworked. I have no need to ever open it

 

[Guruman]

My permanent one will be welded in and bodyworked. I have no need to ever open it

Well, that would fix the dang leaking....

 

[coachgeo]

Well, that would fix the dang leaking....

it likely would then open the option to cutting out and adding bracing for a rectangle or square inside the welded in circle. This opens door (pardon the pun) for putting in an off the shelf sunroof, emergency hatch, that can open.

 

[Third From Texas]

I'd rock it as a permanent window. IMO, any functionally opening hatch you attempt to install up there is going to leak like the original turrets did so I'd stick to permanent and seal it good. I'd certainly add some form of sliding shade to keep the greenhouse effect down as much as possible (cab gets plenty hot down here in the summer as is).

I've not seen anyone build an actual functioning hatch (all have been actually military turret hatches and as everyone will tell you they leak like a submarine screen door). But I suppose you could fab up a hatch easy enough (given you don't need to add a gun mount of swivel system). Doing so w/o water pouring into the cab from above is another story, though (that's gonna take better engineering than the military contractors were capable of). If I were trying to retain the military theme I'd attempt a simply custom hatch and improve on the leak reduction (you'll likely not eliminate it).

If I didn't care about the military theme, I'd skylight it (but only if I could devise a sliding shade to keep the sun from turning the cab into a even hotter greenhouse). A solid, fixed clear cover could be made to not leak water (or sunlight when desired).

Of course, my personal build plans involve a cab cap and integrated stowage rack, Hell, I might even find a way to fit an extra solar panel up there. So not much reason for a hole to peek out of then). The view from the cab is pleasant enough IMO, so I can forego the moonroof. All subject to change, though. If I see something I really like and can afford to implement, then my build plans often change. But I won't lie, I have considered a moonroof. If for some reason I don't implement my cab cap and/or stowage up there, I'd certainly give it a shot. But as I said, only if I could sort out a sliding shade system (a couple of shading sections that meet in the center would be my approach then sort of stealth that into the headliner).

ymmv

 

[MarkM]

The sunroof idea is interesting and as far as an emergency hatch, explosive bolts would be wild lol

It would be like a spacecraft.

Mark

 

[Guruman]

I'd rock it as a permanent window. IMO, any functionally opening hatch you attempt to install up there is going to leak like the original turrets did so I'd stick to permanent and seal it good. I'd certainly add some form of sliding shade to keep the greenhouse effect down as much as possible (cab gets plenty hot down here in the summer as is).

I've not seen anyone build an actual functioning hatch (all have been actually military turret hatches and as everyone will tell you they leak like a submarine screen door). But I suppose you could fab up a hatch easy enough (given you don't need to add a gun mount of swivel system). Doing so w/o water pouring into the cab from above is another story, though (that's gonna take better engineering than the military contractors were capable of). If I were trying to retain the military theme I'd attempt a simply custom hatch and improve on the leak reduction (you'll likely not eliminate it).

If I didn't care about the military theme, I'd skylight it (but only if I could devise a sliding shade to keep the sun from turning the cab into a even hotter greenhouse). A solid, fixed clear cover could be made to not leak water (or sunlight when desired).

Of course, my personal build plans involve a cab cap and integrated stowage rack, Hell, I might even find a way to fit an extra solar panel up there. So not much reason for a hole to peek out of then). The view from the cab is pleasant enough IMO, so I can forego the moonroof. All subject to change, though. If I see something I really like and can afford to implement, then my build plans often change. But I won't lie, I have considered a moonroof. If for some reason I don't implement my cab cap and/or stowage up there, I'd certainly give it a shot. But as I said, only if I could sort out a sliding shade system (a couple of shading sections that meet in the center would be my approach then sort of stealth that into the headliner).

ymmv

Ha. I, too have thought about adding a box covering the whole cab, which would be accessible through the exiting turret hole, for storage. But man I like the moonroof idea.

The removable feature could be useful for access to the top of my mobile workshop container for removal/installation, or for a rooftop lounge.

I've also considered mounting the box backwards with enough space to get the entry door opened and some fold-up decks on either side to provide some additional elevated space. Folding and unfolding them might be a challenge from ground level. But if I could pop the hatch, climb over into the space between the box and the front of the bed, then a couple of hand-crank winches would suffice for folding and un-folding the sides and or deploying/stowing some stairs. But that's a long way off just yet.

 

[Ronmar]

My wife liked the moon roof, but I am putting the airfilter up there which partly covers it and a fairing which blends it with the habitat...