87 K5 Top Cover Ideas?

[danielhemi]

Hello guys, first post. Been browsing here for a while. Wealth of info, time to register and hopefully add what I know to some posts. But, I have a question for you guys.

My truck is a black 87 40's, 450hp 355, np205, th-375 w/stall, dana 44 front, dana 60 rear with 4.10 gears. Mud truck/ mild crawling when I can or just playing on the farm.

I transport the truck on trailer from my house where I have a covered carport for it to the farm a few miles away but I like to leave it there for a few weeks at a time until I need repair to keep down on the aggravation of loading and towing. I have the hard top, but it is cracked and with the lift and tires it is not feasible for me to remove the hard top every weekend. I cannot afford the new soft tops that are out ($750+) and I'm tired of bungie strapping a tarp to it during the week. (but hey, I'm considered redneck anyways)

You guys have any ideas on keeping the rain and rust out without putting the top back on? What have you yourself or seen others do? Truck has eaten alot of my money or I would just build one of those cheap carports.

Thanks guys.

 

[bp71k5]

Why not repair the top and leave it on?

Nothing wrong with a tarp either.

 

[toomany]

Why not leave it off? Mine has been off since April. Sits out in the sun and rain all day. Sure the carpet gets wet, but the way I figure, if I let it dry out before I eventually put the top back on...it should be fine. My biggest concern is the rear seat getting wet (I keep it folded flat, found out when it was fold in the forward postion water would run into it). The front seats stay dry as long as I keep the folded forward, even in the worst of storms.

I eventually plan on replacing the floors (they're not the worst...but could be better) so rust isn't that big of an issue to me at this point. But I did pull the sound deading material from the back side of the carpet when I was inspecting the floors when I bought the truck in 2005. Thats the stuff that really holds the water.

 

[BIOHZDK5]

I have not actually done this but plan to in the future. I have looked at tonue covers for a truck and I believe a snap cover for an 07 silverado will work. Now I have a full top and not a half top so not sure on the length from the cab to the rear of the truck. Your only problem then would be the hole where the cab stops. The tonue route may not be what you want but can certainly use the concept as an idea. Could always see what an upholstury shop would charge. I am in the process of making my own bikini have 60 bucks in it and mom is doing the sewing. I have seen a few pics in here that may give you some ideas. Search softtop in this forum 73-91 K5/Suburban/Truck and you can see some of the pics.

 

[danielhemi]

Re

Cool ideas, thanks guys. I guess waterproof covers for front and rear seats may be viable options too. I have carpet already removed and bedliner spray on floors. I like the tonneau option too.

 

[Blue85]

The idea comes up here periodically to make a soft top out of a hard top. I don't know how bad of shape yours is in, but this might be an idea for you.

You cut out the whole center part of the top and replace that with vinyl or canvas. Then you cut out all around the windows and replace that with clear vinyl, using snaps or something. Then the top still bolts to the truck and you have something to roll the window up into (or you can put another clear vinyl window back there), but the top becomes so light you can manage it.

There might be pics of this floating around.