72 jimmy single wall top

[kpotter34]

I am currently in the process of getting my top restored/fixed and need/upgrade certain parts. Gonna have the fiber glass repaired where needed then will have the inside painted flat black and the exterior I am thinking about getting it linex’d for added strength.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a single wall top:
1. Wiring - I believe mine is all there but need new lights and probably new wires.
2. Dome light replacements - need new ones as the bases and lenses were broken out before purchased.
3. Rear hatch tracks/brackets (holds to hatch open) need both sides
4. Rear hatch (reviews on brotherstrucks.com replacement hatch?) need a new one as the other one is too far gone.
Thanks for the input
KP

 

[kpotter34]

Also, has anyone just welded nuts to the underside lip of the bed sides for easy removal of top so u don’t always have to take the side panels off to get to them? Maybe there is some reason I missing that this can’t be done.

 

[ekajkrats]

Here are my 2 cents:
The rear hatch from brother's and most any other NEW hatch will not work. I am not sure exactly why, but I have never heard of someone having it fit properly.

The single wall top does bolt from the top down and the bedsides should have the sliding nuts already in them unless you are going from a double wall top equipped blazer to a single. That is the primary reason single wall tops are more desirable. And I am not sure how much they are really sliding, but mine would definitely wiggle, but were a part of the bed and would not fall down.

 

[ekajkrats]

Also, nice looking blazer! I should've led with that.

While I used my single wall for the first few months, I also got a panel led bulbs that would plug into the existing socket for the dome light, and it was much brighter and a simple upgrade.

 

[kpotter34]

Thanks! U as well.
It originally was a double wall top but guy I bought it from destroyed it by leaving out unprotected in a wind storm. Good to know about the brother hatches as they are not cheap at all!

 

[rampage]

On my ‘72 I never was a fan of those rear hatch supports. Maybe see if you can upgrade those to gas charged lift supports that are on modern rear lift windows/hoods. Don’t know if they’d fit between the hatch and top but might be something to look into.

 

[kpotter34]

Anyone have any ideas on the wiring for the dome lights? I am assuming no one makes a new harness for any of the tops.

 

[ekajkrats]

Are you just wondering how the wires are run? Did you want a picture of the pigtail? My hard top is off and stored, so I can show you what is there, but from what I remember it's pretty basic.

 

[kpotter34]

That would be great if u have a picture of what the end should look like inside the truck. I think I have everything in the top but think they cut off the plug in the truck itself. Pretty sure I will probably need to run new wire in the top but just purchased new the 3 new dome lights for it from brothers.

 

[bp71k5]

The hatch from brothers is just the shell. All the hardware has to be found used, and it really hard to find. Also note the hole pattern in the bed may not be the same from a double wall to single wall.

 

[ekajkrats]

I just remembered on mine, that it must have been cut too, or rotted off (assuming it's rubber), as there were only spade connectors there.

The best pics I could find online so far were here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=686542&highlight=dome+light+plate

 

[ekajkrats]

And here is the connector on the top if you don't have it, but I think you said you did:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showpost.php?p=2252824&postcount=8

 

[ekajkrats]

And sorry for the multiple posts, but here are the best pics of the wires and plugs:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=529609

 

[kpotter34]

Perfect. Thanks and no problem. I have the plug but not the faceplate so will have to see if I can find one or probably just make one. I am sure I can find a pic of the Truck end plug somewhere on the web.

 

[ekajkrats]

In that last link, the truck end plug is this:


To this:

 

[kpotter34]

thanks. Missed that one

 

[kpotter34]

Any suggestions on the type/size of wire I should use to re-wire my single wall top? The top is all finished and ready to have all the new rubber, wiring and components reinstalled. The body shop ended up bed lining the entire top instead of trying to recreate the texture and it came out pretty good.

 

[6872xtc]

You will be fine with 18 ga wire for the dome lights, the problem is that I don't know where to get a 2 wire that isn't just speaker wire. You may end up getting 16 gauge in order to get something that looks decent, as I assume that the wiring will be exposed.
Truck looks great!
My buddy who runs a body shop told me to keep away from my bed liner with any type of wax. He said that even spray wax at the carwash can give it a haze. Just something to consider.