bp71k5
3/4 ton status
If you mount them on tube clamps, the lights can be rotated down under the soft top when it's up and then rotated back up when the top is down.
-Brian
CK5
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Custom soft top windshield bracket
- Thread starter bp71k5
- Start date
If you mount them on tube clamps, the lights can be rotated down under the soft top when it's up and then rotated back up when the top is down.
-Brian
ekajkrats
1/2 ton status
late to the dance...
very late to this thread, but thanks for posting your pics, hope to copy this soon.
-Jacob
very late to this thread, but thanks for posting your pics, hope to copy this soon.
-Jacob
Joe Blaze
1/2 ton status
I am thinking of making a bracket for my soft top due to the snaps rusting out of my windshield frame at the start of the winter when i put the hard top on. does anyone have some template or diagram that they used that would get me started? i want to make a bracket that will accept the factory position snaps on the Kayline soft top, and then get a top place to make me a bikini top that will snap onto it as well.
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I bought a pattern from Auto Zone
No all I did was laid out a layer of that blue masking tape on the header razor bladed it into a useable pattern then transferred it onto the metal.
No all I did was laid out a layer of that blue masking tape on the header razor bladed it into a useable pattern then transferred it onto the metal.
I bought a pattern from Auto Zone
No all I did was laid out a layer of that blue masking tape on the header razor bladed it into a useable pattern then transferred it onto the metal.
Holy hell, you're a genius...my way was a much bigger PITA and was way less perfect...
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BUT, BUT, BUT I even posted a picture of the tape pattern (In this post even)
so every one could see how I did it after copying from the originator bp71, collaborate and nail down this how to make one thingie.
so every one could see how I did it after copying from the originator bp71, collaborate and nail down this how to make one thingie.
BUT, BUT, BUT I even posted a picture of the tape pattern (In this post even)
so every one could see how I did it after copying from the originator bp71, collaborate and nail down this how to make one thingie.
Yeah, but I have difficulty remembering everything I read on here
Well then I guess Brian is a genius too
Joe Blaze
1/2 ton status
If using steel for the fabricated plate, any ideas on the gauge or thickness necessary to be just strong enough to not bend back and flip up in the wind?
I have to admit, I saw your pattern, but it still never occurred to me to actually tape it to the header and cut it out on there./sigh I'll for sure do it that way when I get started on this myself.
my plan was to use aluminum because if the stiffness, but I wouldn't mind seeing someone make a steel one... would sure be easier to work with.
/sigh I'll for sure do it that way when I get started on this myself.
my plan was to use aluminum because if the stiffness, but I wouldn't mind seeing someone make a steel one... would sure be easier to work with.
Give me a couple days. This may happen Friday or Saturday. The one I made sits way too high and the top blows open above 50mph. I'm going to attempt to redo it so it sits a lot closer to the windshield frame and so that it as the contour in it. We'll see if I can pull it off.
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Steel 
I'm thinkin 1/8" or equivalent gauge maybe 11. I have speed tested mine at at least 80 and it holds fine.
I'm thinkin 1/8" or equivalent gauge maybe 11. I have speed tested mine at at least 80 and it holds fine.
Joe Blaze
1/2 ton status
Any update on this?
Actually yes! Keep forgetting to update it. Thanks for the reminder
I used the masking tape trick. Laid it down on the top of the windshield frame and cut the outline with a razor. Peeled it back off and laid it onto the sheet of 16 gauge steel I have. Cut it out, cleaned it up and then bent it up. Took about 20 times climbing in and out of the truck and making adjustments. Got it where I wanted it and welded up the outer ends where I had cut it to allow the curve and bend to work right. Drilled the 17 holes in the leading edge and pop-riveted the snaps onto it. Few more test fits/adjustments and the sprayed it black. I think it came out great. It fits tight to the frame and doesn't let any wind under it because it tucks right up by the drip rail. I also drove it around all day Thursday, including some stints on the highway at 60-70 and it never popped a single snap loose even with the sides of the soft top rolled up. We hit some fairly heavy rain on the way home also and even without weatherstripping under it we didn't get wet at all. I'm very pleased with it.
I used the masking tape trick. Laid it down on the top of the windshield frame and cut the outline with a razor. Peeled it back off and laid it onto the sheet of 16 gauge steel I have. Cut it out, cleaned it up and then bent it up. Took about 20 times climbing in and out of the truck and making adjustments. Got it where I wanted it and welded up the outer ends where I had cut it to allow the curve and bend to work right. Drilled the 17 holes in the leading edge and pop-riveted the snaps onto it. Few more test fits/adjustments and the sprayed it black. I think it came out great. It fits tight to the frame and doesn't let any wind under it because it tucks right up by the drip rail. I also drove it around all day Thursday, including some stints on the highway at 60-70 and it never popped a single snap loose even with the sides of the soft top rolled up. We hit some fairly heavy rain on the way home also and even without weatherstripping under it we didn't get wet at all. I'm very pleased with it.
Joe Blaze
1/2 ton status
Man, that is beautiful. So now that you tested it, you definitely recommend 16 gauge thickness? What way is the easiest to determine the places to put the snaps? did you go off the location on the frame, or the soft top? what did you use to get that nice curved bend in the steel?
I think this will be my next project when i pull the hardtop off soon.
Great work...
I think this will be my next project when i pull the hardtop off soon.
Great work...
Man, that is beautiful. So now that you tested it, you definitely recommend 16 gauge thickness? What way is the easiest to determine the places to put the snaps? did you go off the location on the frame, or the soft top? what did you use to get that nice curved bend in the steel?
I think this will be my next project when i pull the hardtop off soon.
Great work...
Thanks man! The 16 gauge seems plenty thick to me and like I said, gave no problems at all on Thursday with some wheeling and about 100 miles put on it.
As for the curve. In the third pic down, I had sliced the steel from the end over to where the third snap is. It was straight when I started, and I made a slight bend (front to back) to match the layout of the windshield frame. Then I curved the straight piece over to match the corner and tacked it. readjusted a couple times and then buzzed it together the rest of the way.
The snaps were easy. There are an odd number, so the very center of the frame got one. Then I measured the distance between the others. It was 4" (I think...) so I just put them all that far apart except the outer 2 on either side. My current windshield frame is a new one that I put in because the snaps from the soft top had rotted out the old one. I didn't want to have that happen again, so I made this thing
All said and done I think I had about 5 hours in it, but quite a bit of that was drilling the snaps out of my old version, then drilling the new holes in the new one. That was a bit time consuming. Everything else went pretty smooth.
I'm actually planning on making a few more of these. I was asked by Jberno to do another one and I said ok. I have enough material to make 3-4 more. Two are spoken for but I can put your name down for one if you want. I just need to figure out how to ship the stupid things once I make them...
Joe Blaze
1/2 ton status
Thanks man! The 16 gauge seems plenty thick to me and like I said, gave no problems at all on Thursday with some wheeling and about 100 miles put on it.
As for the curve. In the third pic down, I had sliced the steel from the end over to where the third snap is. It was straight when I started, and I made a slight bend (front to back) to match the layout of the windshield frame. Then I curved the straight piece over to match the corner and tacked it. readjusted a couple times and then buzzed it together the rest of the way.
The snaps were easy. There are an odd number, so the very center of the frame got one. Then I measured the distance between the others. It was 4" (I think...) so I just put them all that far apart except the outer 2 on either side. My current windshield frame is a new one that I put in because the snaps from the soft top had rotted out the old one. I didn't want to have that happen again, so I made this thing
All said and done I think I had about 5 hours in it, but quite a bit of that was drilling the snaps out of my old version, then drilling the new holes in the new one. That was a bit time consuming. Everything else went pretty smooth.
I'm actually planning on making a few more of these. I was asked by Jberno to do another one and I said ok. I have enough material to make 3-4 more. Two are spoken for but I can put your name down for one if you want. I just need to figure out how to ship the stupid things once I make them...
sure, put me down for one. i could then hold off on that project, and move on to cutting down an old set of truck doors i grabbed to make half doors like my Wrangler. those two things are basically my only projects planned for the Blazer for this season. If you had to cut the piece in half or thirds to ship, i could always MIG it back together when I get it.
make sure you take lots of pics of that. it's one of the projects I'd like to do someday as well.
Ok guys, I'm 70% done making these. Moving a little slow combined with a cold combined with making 5 instead of one = more time. Who'd a thunk it
Anyways, I spoke with JBerno about this, so I figured I'd bring it up to anyone else who may want one as well. JBerno, Joe Blaze and Mike (NorCal69) all have their names on one, plus there are two more available. Do you guys want the snaps put on or do you want to do it? I wasn't sure what kind of tops people had and if the snaps would be in the same place as mine or not. I have an old Besttop, it has 17 snaps along the header and one in each A pillar. Let me know if you want one and if you want the snaps or not. I expect them to be done (minus snaps) tomorrow. I am currently out of the snaps so I just ordered some. As soon as they get here I'll throw them on there. I still need to find some sort of cardboard tube or long rectangular box that they'll fit in to ship them also. Let me know fellers.
Anyways, I spoke with JBerno about this, so I figured I'd bring it up to anyone else who may want one as well. JBerno, Joe Blaze and Mike (NorCal69) all have their names on one, plus there are two more available. Do you guys want the snaps put on or do you want to do it? I wasn't sure what kind of tops people had and if the snaps would be in the same place as mine or not. I have an old Besttop, it has 17 snaps along the header and one in each A pillar. Let me know if you want one and if you want the snaps or not. I expect them to be done (minus snaps) tomorrow. I am currently out of the snaps so I just ordered some. As soon as they get here I'll throw them on there. I still need to find some sort of cardboard tube or long rectangular box that they'll fit in to ship them also. Let me know fellers.
How much do you want for one? Im guessing shipping from Hawaii to Utah would kill the deal. I have a best top so I will have to count the snaps.
I was hoping for $75 shipped. That is assuming the shipping is ~$18-20. If it's more than that I may ask for a touch more... I will get them all bent up, welded and if you want the snaps, put those in and primer it. If that sounds good let me know. I think you'll be #5 as well, because ashman is now on the list too.
