Metal frame??? Really, there's a metal frame in there somewhere?
CK5
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Fumes guide to hardtop deconstruction 101.
- Thread starter chevyfumes
- Start date
Yah the whole sides are lined with metal! Mike (beast) has some pics of it in his expedition topper thread.
Link to pics? This one has a hoop in the rear and thats it the rest is just lapped fiberglass panels glued.
Oh maybe it was just in the rear, his pics must have confuzzled me...
That's what I thought, now don't fock up my write up, leave that to me.
I'll see if I can get to exposing the metal frame tommorow.
Edit: ok deuling I see now the 90-91 tops had provisions for shoulder belts. Not sure I'd want to be strapped to the topper though.
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rear inner drivers side
Metal rib
rear inner drivers side panel
drivers side outer mid/window panel
lid
I'll do an exploded view of everything next.
I'll do an exploded view of everything next.
Actually in some roll over pics ive seen, the cab was crushed, while the top looked perfectly fine. I think they are alot stronger than people think
well because they are fiber, they flex a bit then spring back, metal flexes and stays, it's called bent.
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Thanks for doing this I have kinda always wondered about mine and to do that to fiberglass is , well just thinking about it makes me itchy & scratchy.
When you take the outer and inner laminations apart, check in there for a copy of the Declaration of Independence...... you never know, and it could make you rich!!
-G
Only found a mouse nest in each rear upper corners, paper wasps, mud dobber pupa and jumping spiders the size of tarantulas. I did find some writing and mold #s that I thought might be helpful but it doesn't look like it will help anyone.
I thought doing this may help me repair all of my full toppers but you really have to dis assemble the entire top just to get to the back end where all the wobble happens, so I guess I'll just do the same to one of them and see what happens.
I thought doing this may help me repair all of my full toppers but you really have to dis assemble the entire top just to get to the back end where all the wobble happens, so I guess I'll just do the same to one of them and see what happens.
I knew there were a couple of pieces, but I never knew there were so many pieces put together. No wonder they come loose all the time.
I disassembled a top once in 1989, in less than a few minutes:
It was vintage 1978:
I disassembled a top once in 1989, in less than a few minutes:
It was vintage 1978:
Bored much lately? 
I thought about making a poor mans soft top from one of the half tops. It seams like there is always one for free or $50. And the guy asking $50 bucks really wants it gone at all cost.
What I would do is sawzall the thing into a frame the could then support a tarp that would be bolted down to the fiberglass.
Not sure exactly if it would work but it would be something to try.
What I would do is sawzall the thing into a frame the could then support a tarp that would be bolted down to the fiberglass.
Not sure exactly if it would work but it would be something to try.
Is the base of the part that rests on the bed edge made of metal?
No, but you do have the metal trim that bolts on top of so I think that as about as structural as it gets right there.
