Hard top hits the weatherstrip on windshield frame '71 Blazer

[Joe Blaze]

I got back from my trip to jersey over the weekend to pick up a hard top and I had a question about mounting it. When i slide it as far forward as i can, it hits the thick rubber weatherstrip at the top corner of the windshield frame. If i left it up against it, there would be a gap in the front over the windshield frame where i would get water in under speed. I had no other option than to slice the top corners of the weatherstripping off on each side. Now the hard top slides far enough forward that a thin bead of silicone should take care of the front for the winter. my question is what do i do to seal the area where i removed the thick rubber? is that a common problem you brothers run into when fitting the hard top?

Thanks
joe

Here is the piece i cut off:

Here is the gap left:

I also picked up a couple of bucket seats to replace my mashed up junk that is there now. I will put up a photo of them when i get them in.

 

[NorCal69]

Sorry I can't help. Mine has only been off the rig once in 40+ years. I have never put it back on yet.

I know on my bud's 69, we had to use the two mounting bolts to move it forward so it was snug.

 

[ashman]

I think I did the same as NorCal69. push it up as far as possible, then use the 2 horizontal bolts to pull it in snug.

 

[bp71k5]

You need those rubber parts you cut off to keep water from coming in around the vent even when the trucks not moving.

The top is supposed to have a gasket on the top of the windshield. They are commonly missing though.

If the top slides forward enough for the bolt holes in the bed to line up than the top is where it should be. If not, then the body has sagged and needs to be reshimmed.


-Brian

 

[Joe Blaze]

You need those rubber parts you cut off to keep water from coming in around the vent even when the trucks not moving.

The top is supposed to have a gasket on the top of the windshield. They are commonly missing though.

If the top slides forward enough for the bolt holes in the bed to line up than the top is where it should be. If not, then the body has sagged and needs to be reshimmed.


-Brian

yeah but my truck apparently came in '71 with a double wall top, and now i put a single wall top on, so none of the holes line up.
I have the gasket under the lip of the front of the top, but the top would hit the windshiled corner weatherstrip not go far enough forward, and water would get into the holes all along the top of the windshield frame where i unscrewed the snaps for the soft top.

 

[bp71k5]

I have the exact same problem with mine. (replaced softtop with single wall hardtop on 71) I used the four stock bolts at the windshield and then 4 "C" clamps on the bed rails to hold the top on. It keeps 95% of the water out. I get a little seeping through the window rubber in heavy rain.

If you fill all the soft top holes, the little "tray" on top of the windshield will collect water and funnel it around the sides to the wing windows right where those rubber gaskets are. You might try tightening the bolts that go through the sun visors to get the top to sit lower.


-Brian

 

[Joe Blaze]

we had a lot of rain in the past two days, and there are no leaks past the hard top so far, so i am happy for now.

 

[bp71k5]

we had a lot of rain in the past two days, and there are no leaks past the hard top so far, so i am happy for now.

Careful, the water is probably traveling down the hole in the windshield frame now that it's exposed. You might try shaving down the rubber gasket a bit so the top fits all the way forward or sealing the hole with something.


-Brian

 

[Joe Blaze]

Careful, the water is probably traveling down the hole in the windshield frame now that it's exposed. You might try shaving down the rubber gasket a bit so the top fits all the way forward or sealing the hole with something.


-Brian

Sorry, i forgot to post that i put the rubber back on. once again, i want to thank the brothers on this forum for advice. i put the chunks of rubber back on and used the vertical visor bolts to pull it down, and used the windshield brackets to pull it forward, and it fit great. i put the deflectors on, and put some silicone caulking in some gaps to plug the space, and all is good. thanks for the comments and help. i will put photos of the good fit up later.