‘82 GMC “Junkyard JIMMY” {Build bash Rebuild}

[pblaze725]

Soft top installation


I temporarily screwed the bars in place until the final fit. I later removed the little splice piece. It turns out my 100 measurements were correct.
I had a moment where I thought I was wrong but I was mistaken.




The other side.




Another pic of the frame.






I started to work the top starting one side, and working my way across to the other.







It's tight across the top front.

 

[pblaze725]

Soft top installation


I pulled it tight and put 1 screw in the center for meow.
Notice that little piece of tube is now gone at the mount.




Here it is.



I think the tubes might be about 1/2" too long.
This thing is tighter than dicks hatband.
I'll let it sit for a few days and then I need to replace the temp scres with nuts and bolts.

That's it for meow.


What do you think about my $40 soft top?

 

[K85 Octane]

F-ing sweet Paul! Nice score. Have you driven it yet or are you letting it settle down and stretch out before taking it down the freeway

 

[andyblack]

Meow that's what I call a good hard top installation.

Why are we talking like cats btw? Did I miss something?

 

[pblaze725]

F-ing sweet Paul! Nice score. Have you driven it yet or are you letting it settle down and stretch out before taking it down the freeway

Yes, I'm letting it sit and stretch for a little while. I still need to put snaps on the tubes and replace the screws in the mount with a nut & bolt.

Meow that's what I call a good hard top installation.

Why are we talking like cats btw? Did I miss something?

There are a few goofy things I say as a joke like gear RATIONS and MEOW.

 

[Heavyleft]

Here are some pictures of my Softopper that might be useful for ideas for your tubing.


Thought you could use a strap to keep the tension bars in place if you don't want to use the bars off the cab to help taking it down for top-less days.





Softoppers have these straps to help keep the back tension.






That great work your doing, btw!

 

[andyblack]

I agree. Meow that you have your top done, it's time to get your axles with the proper gear rations. Meow.

 

[Deuling]

I agree. Meow that you have your top done, it's time to get your axles with the proper gear rations. Meow.

Super troopers





And looks awesome Paul. As always... YOU DA MAN!!

 

[pblaze725]

Thanks for posting those pics Heavylift.

I didn't realize there were so many ways to do the tubes.

I saw some like yours except the front tube went all the way down to the bed rail and the back tube attached to the front tube like yours.

I had a Scout II back in the day and it was like the way I did it except it had a pivoting piece at the bottom of the back tube that tightens it up as you pull it into position.

I have the perfect tension strap too. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[pblaze725]

K25

Well the day finally came.

I went to the junkyard and yanked a 14BFF.

I got one with matching 3.73 gear rations.




Here it is. Not too dirty for a Junkyard pull.





KERKER is the first to point out something is different.





The brake drums are smaller than the average 14BFF. It's about 14" sitting on the floor.





I think I can fit a 15" rim on here with no mods.






Yep it's about time.

 

[82355]

I don't think there are 14bff's out of a 1973-1987 that you can't fit a 15 wheel on???

Martin

 

[Kota4bye]

I don't think there are 14bff's out of a 1973-1987 that you can't fit a 15 wheel on???

Martin

I didn't think the 14 was the problem, usually the calipers on the 60 need a bunch of grinding for 15s.

 

[pblaze725]

I don't think there are 14bff's out of a 1973-1987 that you can't fit a 15 wheel on???

Martin

Oh. ok. Good.

I plan to keep these tires. I need new steelies now.

 

[andyblack]

Nice. Hopefully the drums aren't too ate up to where you can't just have them resurfaced on a lathe. Those suckers are heavy too. I think 14" drums were the standard.

 

[pblaze725]

Nice. Hopefully the drums aren't too ate up to where you can't just have them resurfaced on a lathe. Those suckers are heavy too. I think 14" drums were the standard.

The drums I usually see are huge, they must be 14".

These drums were 11" drums. They are in better shape than the ones I am driving on.

This axle came off A Cal-Trans truck. It was a '74 I think. The date on the axle is '73. Everything looks to be in good condition. All I need to do is clean, shave and paint it.

The 10 bolt was shaved, on 35's I have 10 1/2" ground clearance. That's the goal with the 14.

The diff cover has a coating on the inside and the gear oil smells new.




All painted yellow...



11" brake drum.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

The drums I usually see are huge, they must be 14".

These drums were 11" drums. They are in better shape than the ones I am driving on.

This axle came off A Cal-Trans truck. It was a '74 I think. The date on the axle is '73. Everything looks to be in good condition. All I need to do is clean, shave and paint it.

The 10 bolt was shaved, on 35's I have 10 1/2" ground clearance. That's the goal with the 14.

The diff cover has a coating on the inside and the gear oil smells new.


View attachment 145483

All painted yellow...

View attachment 145484

11" brake drum.

FWIW I have 10.5 clearance on the jeep with my 14bolt and fake 37s

 

[pblaze725]

Did you cut off the bottom bolt Chris?

 

[pblaze725]

14 bolt shave layout



I marked in red where I was thinking about cutting.

It's 1" up from the bottom which would be flush to the flange on the backside. This is about center of the bottom hole.

 

[supermotard750]

Looks good.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

I cant see your fancy uploaded pic.

This is were i cut. Basically right even with the bottom bolt, and then around the sides as well so it flows into it.