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"Bolt-on" Single cab conversion

54inches said:
Now a few questions.

Who wants one?

What improvements would you make? What options would you want?

Happy Veterans day and God Bless.
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This is awesome news! :saweet:

I'm gonna want one, just not sure if I'll be able to order until Q1 of 2010.

Improvements? Well, having never actually laid eyes on one, I can't say.

I will say, make sure that the window used is something that's readily available, preferably in a size that's commonly available in both one-piece windows and sliders. I'd personally want a slider, but some folks might prefer a one-piece.

Another idea I'd had was to make it so that a one-piece window could be used, but easily removed with some sort of rotating clamping system, similar to the wing window locks on the doors. That'd allow the window to be removed and reinstalled really quickly. A plexiglass window might be good in this app. It's just an idea, but it'd be a quick 30-second way to simulate full-topless mode. :D

I think the easiest way to make that happen would be to have a lip on the inside, so that the window would just sit in place, with the clamps holding it tight. Weatherstripping wrapped around the window itself, rather than the "top" would provide the sealing.

Either way, in any version, I'll be really glad to get one! :laugh:
 
Thanks for the responses and ideas.

I believe the original version uses the same window as the back of a regular Chevy truck of the same year.

I think we could offer it without a window, so the user could find a used version of their desired type and install it from there.

There are alot of variables that we are going to have to figure out.

Weatherstrip being one.
 
i would like it to fit a stock window from a pickup? everyone has those laying around practically, right?

user adjustability is awesome for us i think, were gonna mod it anyways.
 
You know what would be really slick and they have done it on some of the import trucks is a roll up window for the half cab. I belive the avalanches have them too. Maybe find a way to make a divider for the center section that you can incorporate the guts out of a roll up tailgate window that will unlatch and lay over completely in the floor and have a bolt on fiber glass top peice that is much like the fiber glass top in the back of a k5. I know how much fab work would go into that and development cost would be astronomical but think of the posibilities.
 
54inches said:
Jon,

Do you know if the guy that owns the molds has a patent on them?
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I highly doubt it... The molds have changed hands several times.

nbilby said:
You know what would be really slick and they have done it on some of the import trucks is a roll up window for the half cab. I belive the avalanches have them too. Maybe find a way to make a divider for the center section that you can incorporate the guts out of a roll up tailgate window that will unlatch and lay over completely in the floor and have a bolt on fiber glass top peice that is much like the fiber glass top in the back of a k5. I know how much fab work would go into that and development cost would be astronomical but think of the posibilities.
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I'm planning something like this, eventually. The upper fiberglass half-top would essentially have to be designed so that it had a channel, almost exactly like the very rear part of a standard K5 top.

The motorized parts would all be attached to the lower bulkhead. Existing K5/Sub parts should work, such as the motor and lifting mechanism. To make it slick, you'd want to fab up a "door panel" of some sort to cover it all on the inside of the cab.

Ideally, the whole lower bulkhead could be quickly unbolted and removed, and only a wiring harness with a quick-disconnect connection would be needed to power it.

Mount a momentary DPDT 3-position switch somewhere for raising and lowering the window and life would be good.

:D
 
jonrpick said:
I highly doubt it... The molds have changed hands several times.



I'm planning something like this, eventually. The upper fiberglass half-top would essentially have to be designed so that it had a channel, almost exactly like the very rear part of a standard K5 top.

The motorized parts would all be attached to the lower bulkhead. Existing K5/Sub parts should work, such as the motor and lifting mechanism. To make it slick, you'd want to fab up a "door panel" of some sort to cover it all on the inside of the cab.

Ideally, the whole lower bulkhead could be quickly unbolted and removed, and only a wiring harness with a quick-disconnect connection would be needed to power it.

Mount a momentary DPDT 3-position switch somewhere for raising and lowering the window and life would be good.

:D
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Hey Jon,
Not to steal your thunder(or anyone else's) The channel you describe is readily available in aluminum. I use stuff like this all the time in repair and manufacture of Aircraft structure. plus in an "0" temper, you could bend it to fit almost anything you wanted and then have it heat treated. Probably a little more than you wanted to spend, but definitely do-able.

Right on you guys for taking the initiative!:bow:
 
obijuan said:
i would like it to fit a stock window from a pickup? everyone has those laying around practically, right?
user adjustability is awesome for us i think, were gonna mod it anyways.
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I am fairly certain that is how they came, but we will know soon. This is goal#1.


DK5 said:
I would like one. All I am concerned about so far is that it has a good seal from the elements and is easy bolt on and off.
Thanks for your efforts guys, and post up some pics when you can!
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This is goal #2. You are welcome.


StevoandaRedK5 said:
No prob. I'll keep a watch out for one in that year range.
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Thanks!!!

obijuan said:
you knowwwwwww, you can test fit on uhh my truck. :D
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I know bud, but we may have to use the truck as a negative/mold to make the the bottom piece and I don't want to have to mess up your truck, but test fitting the beta unit may be necessary. I am sure we can work something out for your "time"!;)


nbilby said:
You know what would be really slick and they have done it on some of the import trucks is a roll up window for the half cab. I belive the avalanches have them too. Maybe find a way to make a divider for the center section that you can incorporate the guts out of a roll up tailgate window that will unlatch and lay over completely in the floor and have a bolt on fiber glass top peice that is much like the fiber glass top in the back of a k5. I know how much fab work would go into that and development cost would be astronomical but think of the posibilities.
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Great idea. We will put that on the idea board for the future. I will hit you up for the investment money when we get ready to develop it.:D

jonrpick said:
I highly doubt it... The molds have changed hands several times.

I'm planning something like this, eventually. The upper fiberglass half-top would essentially have to be designed so that it had a channel, almost exactly like the very rear part of a standard K5 top.

The motorized parts would all be attached to the lower bulkhead. Existing K5/Sub parts should work, such as the motor and lifting mechanism. To make it slick, you'd want to fab up a "door panel" of some sort to cover it all on the inside of the cab.

Ideally, the whole lower bulkhead could be quickly unbolted and removed, and only a wiring harness with a quick-disconnect connection would be needed to power it.

Mount a momentary DPDT 3-position switch somewhere for raising and lowering the window and life would be good.

:D
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Yep, and all you have to do is bring the wiring harness from the original tailgate, well if you had power.

BoondocK5 said:
Right on you guys for taking the initiative!:bow:
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Thanks!
 
BoondocK5 said:
Hey Jon,
Not to steal your thunder(or anyone else's) The channel you describe is readily available in aluminum. I use stuff like this all the time in repair and manufacture of Aircraft structure. plus in an "0" temper, you could bend it to fit almost anything you wanted and then have it heat treated. Probably a little more than you wanted to spend, but definitely do-able.

Right on you guys for taking the initiative!:bow:
Click to expand...

Oh no... no thunder stolen. :) You're right. Making a working window track shouldn't be that difficult. IIRC, JC Whitney had a good selection of "generic" window weatherstripping that could be used to seal up the channel. Seems like they offered it in rolls, and you'd just cut to length. :thinking:

My ideal setup is this:

1) Lower bulkhead installed, at all times, with the power window option.

2) In "half top" mode, the window would function as normal.

3) In "full top" mode, the bulkhead would still be useful as a cargo barrier, and if you rolled up the window, even within the cab, it'd still make heating and cooling more efficient, as it'd block most airflow from the rear area. The heat/AC system wouldn't have as much area to cool.
 
It think with the power window idea, it is either going to be installed or uninstalled as one piece unlike the original design.

We'll see.
 
With the window so close to my arm, I would personally like the use of a regular truck window (or slider) to keep costs down. Maybe depending on demand, both could be produced. I would be very interested in this depending on the cost of the parts. I think its an awesome idea.
 
if you need me to take measurements or something whatever, i got my truck right outside with the top off still. probably not going on except for that one weekend in january where its cold.
 
Tail gate relocation?

Just wondering, why couldnt you just make a tailgate relocation kit and just move the stock tail gate up. I am im the process of puting a regular tailgate (truck style) on mine cause I just bought a soft top for it, and im sure there are others that have spare roll up tail gates. You could do tailgate relocation and make a small fiberglass shell for the window to roll up in.
 
That is a ton of work. You would have to cut the bottom of the tailgate off, create new posts for it to attach to on the sides, seal the bottom of the tailgate, and then still have something for the window to roll up into. By the time you do all this, you have just added a lot of weight, tailgates are around 150 lbs. And that is not counting the additional steel that you would need to attach the gate inside. It would also take up a lot of useful space that this system doesn't use up.

In addition, any 77.5 and newer has the footwell that is going to extend below the tailgate, so you would need additional steel there to fill the gap. This system uses just a simple wall that can be put into place. If I didn't have my kids I wouldn't mind a system like this, and may just get one to have for later in life when I get rid of the kids.:grin:
 
Well, it is siting in my garage. I need to clean it up and take a look at the rear window. It is a slider, but I am thinking it is not the same as a chevy truck. I am not really sure, as it looks the wrong shape, but we will see.
 
Not heard from Texasbuggys, but I did get a line on a rolled K5 tub and I am waiting until he parts it out.....also looking for a fiberglass shop in Houston.
 
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