What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

73'-75' soft top build UPDATED PICS 6/16/09 post 62

Art'74 said:
:thumb:I have been lurking and am very interested in your final product. From reading this thread it seems you are taking the good from other's products and producing a "super" soft top. Our I am sure that is what you ( and the rest of us) are hoping for.

Keep up the good work and keep us informed as you have been doing.:bow:
Click to expand...



Thanks man, much appreciated. As I said, I'm really just totally winging it. I think it will come out pretty good, atleast I hope so. I bought new 75" rails today, just have no time to get them installed just yet. I'm not working this coming weekend so I plan on getting something done.
 
Got one of the new rails on today. 3 X 3 X 1/4 Aluminum angle. It still need some final trimming but it's basically done. Will probably have them powdercoated. I need to cut the corner at the rear still and angle cut it so the soft top does not get cut or punchered ofcourse, but I wont do that just yet. Would like the cut it to fit the top nicely. Also, the seal plate will mount to it somehow. Still working on that.

I will radius the rail with a disc grinder so everything is really smooth, no sharp edges. I will also drill a seried of holes for a cool look and it will be a good tie down point for gear. I have it bolted thru the factory hard top holes and the holes for the bow cleats. There is two methods of bolting it down. I will post pics of that once I get both rails on. the soft top side pannels will connect to this rail and will be an easy unlatch, unhook, removal type system, not sure what to call it just yet.

008.JPG

009.JPG

010.JPG

011.JPG

013.JPG
 
Looking VERY good. I sure hope I dont have to end up doing this, but if I do this will be a valuable resource...
 
Got beef ? Those are some duty ready rails ! :D

Keep up the fine fab work - Anxious to see this finalized !



Troy B
Ft Hood, TX
 
Lunatic said:
Got beef ? Those are some duty ready rails ! :D

Keep up the fine fab work - Anxious to see this finalized !



Troy B
Ft Hood, TX
Click to expand...


Thanks man, Your fairly new so you maybe have not seen some of my other work, I'm kinda known for HEAVY DUTY FABIN :D
 
I got the driver rear strut mounted tonight. I never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed, I realized something tonight I wish I had done. Instead of drilling MORE holes in the bed rail I wish I would have just used the hard top floating nuts to mount the soft top frame with. It's NOT a big deal just would have been easier and would not had to drill the holes like I did. I have a couple of options here. I could have mounted the cleats to the Aluminum rail in the posistion their in and just countersunk the bottom of the holes so the flat head was hidden between the bed rail and Aluminum,

OR, I could have mounted the cleats on the vertical part of the Aluminum rail like the rear strut is. You can see it in the pic. I countersunk the fastener nice flush with an 82deg c'sink. It looks really clean IMHO with the fasteners being seen. I'm using all 316 Stainless Steel fasteners & washers, NOT 18-8 SS crap. I COULD still mount them like this but ofcourse now I have already drilled holes in the flat part of the rail and those holes will show.

I think I will just c'sink the holes that are already drilled on the flat part of the rail and just use the hard top floating nuts, only the rear strut will be mounted to the vertical leg of the rail. There will just be holes in the bed rail but they will be hidden under the rail ofcourse. Or I could weld them up and flush grind them back smooth. Or leave the holes there as an option to use if I want to for some reason. I said I was winging this and this kindof stuff can and will happen, but it's not the end of the work, it's not like my truck has NOT trimmed like crazy and holes drill here and there. I've drill plenty extra holes.

001.JPG

002.JPG

003.JPG
 
rdn2blazer said:
Thanks man, Your fairly new so you maybe have not seen some of my other work, I'm kinda known for HEAVY DUTY FABIN :D
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth. Looks real good Rob. I really like the rear strut/brace. I don't recall reading but are you going to make this so the whole top comes off as a hard top does? sorta unbolt the whole thing and set it aside like you would do a hard top?
 
Big Blzn said:
Ain't that the truth. Looks real good Rob. I really like the rear strut/brace. I don't recall reading but are you going to make this so the whole top comes off as a hard top does? sorta unbolt the whole thing and set it aside like you would do a hard top?
Click to expand...


I really never though about it when I first started this but yes it will end up being able to do just that. All I will have to do is loosen the straps securing the top to the bows to allow the top to loosen up tention then, pull out the front leading edge from under the windshield rail. The rest is all self contained. The rear pannel will not be attached to the tail gate, it will be just like the Jeep tops. Will have a tube sewn into the door pannel and pop into "C" shaped snubbers, but has enough overhang over the rear door to allow rain to run off. This will also tention the rear door pannel.

The side pannels will attach to the Aluminum rail some how, not yet determined. I'm not doing Velcro like I had originally thought. I want more relialibility. I will be discussing this with the guy doing the top. I just know I want it to be NOT difficult to undo, easy to attach and put the side pannels in good tention. Is that too much to ask? :D. I want all three pannels to unzip out if I choose aswell.
 
Picked up a piece 30" X 30" 14Ga. (.080) 6061 T6 Aluminum sheet for the passenger side seal plate. Will be getting that cut out next week using the driver side piece as a mirror image pattern.
 
I'm a junky for this post so I thought I would ask for an update.:D I am really looking forward to having a full soft top in the near future.

I went CO last week with the hard top on and the squeaking almost drove me crazy. Also, it would have been nice to be topless part of the time even though it rained sometime during the day, everyday.

So, what's happening?:confused:
 
Art'74 said:
I'm a junky for this post so I thought I would ask for an update.:D I am really looking forward to having a full soft top in the near future.

I went CO last week with the hard top on and the squeaking almost drove me crazy. Also, it would have been nice to be topless part of the time even though it rained sometime during the day, everyday.

So, what's happening?:confused:
Click to expand...


Sorry man, My internet AND phone have been down since the 26th of July! I JUST got cable tonight and I'm back up and running again. Thank god! It's been horrible without the web. Unfortunately no new updates. I took some time off and went on an insane duel sport ride. Was too busy getting ready for that trip to work on the rig. I hope I get to work this weekend as I need the OT. If I don't I plan on working on the truck. Sorry for no new updates, Ya know how life just gets in the way sometimes.
 
Is the vacation over - What ever became of this project ?

Im hoping it's finished and that you simply forgot to update the brotherhood... Pics would be the perfect hall pass IMO... "Excused"

:D


Lunatic
Ft Hood, TX
 
Lunatic said:
Is the vacation over - What ever became of this project ?

Im hoping it's finished and that you simply forgot to update the brotherhood... Pics would be the perfect hall pass IMO... "Excused"

:D


Lunatic
Ft Hood, TX
Click to expand...


Have not touched the soft top build portion of my truck in some time. Doing other stuff. YES I NEED to get back at it :D. It's not dead or forgotton though, just has been on hold.
 
Aw man....

Well hopefully you'll pick it back up soon - Maybe once warmer weather arrives.

Subscription remains intact.;)



Lunatic
Ft Hood, TX
 
Lunatic said:
Aw man....

Well hopefully you'll pick it back up soon - Maybe once warmer weather arrives.

Subscription remains intact.;)



Lunatic
Ft Hood, TX
Click to expand...


I will for sure. Weather has been crap lately too.
 
rdn2blazer said:
Sorry man, My internet AND phone have been down since the 26th of July! I JUST got cable tonight and I'm back up and running again. Thank god! It's been horrible without the web. Unfortunately no new updates. I took some time off and went on an insane duel sport ride. Was too busy getting ready for that trip to work on the rig. I hope I get to work this weekend as I need the OT. If I don't I plan on working on the truck. Sorry for no new updates, Ya know how life just gets in the way sometimes.
Click to expand...

Rob. Since you are slacking on the top, let me hijack for a moment. What dual sport websites do you frequent? Where do yo get all your info for group/club type of rides like the LA to Vegas rides and the stuff up in the Big Bear area. I am asking for a friend of mine who rides. :D
 
Big Blzn said:
Rob. Since you are slacking on the top, let me hijack for a moment. What dual sport websites do you frequent? Where do yo get all your info for group/club type of rides like the LA to Vegas rides and the stuff up in the Big Bear area. I am asking for a friend of mine who rides. :D
Click to expand...



I have not done any organized duel sport rides but one. That was the Big Bear duel sport ride which was brutal as hell. There is the Big Bear trail riders clup that I believe is a duel sport club that put the one ride I did on. It was more of a trials riding rock crawling ride actually. Cycle News has lots of adds for duel sport rides in it. I would just do a google search for duel sport rides for his area, I bet you will find some clubs that offer mild to wild DS rides you can pay for and do. Or have him join a local DS club in his area.

Now quit hijacking my thread would ya! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom