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Quick release top hardware?

leroynumber9

leroynumber9

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Hey i have an 85 k5 and i'd like to have the ability to take the top off quickly without tools. Has anybody come up with a way to do this?
I had an idea for some 2 piece stud and levers. I borrowed the idea from bicycle quick connect tech. These studs would fit in the original holes and the top would slide down onto them, lever pressure to keep it in place.
I drew up my idea of the hardware. Anybody with ideas i would appreciate it greatly. Thanks.

cap latch.jpg
 
Looks good. Do it! I wonder if you can buy somethin like that or if you'll have to make it yourself.
 
CherryK5 said:
Looks good. Do it! I wonder if you can buy somethin like that or if you'll have to make it yourself.
Click to expand...

Ha, that's what i'm trying to figure out. I'm sure i can have a fab shop mil some up but i was hoping they already existed.
 
my dad always just ran 6 bolts for the bronco he had. Never had a leak problem. I think it was the 2 far back 3/4 of the way up the side and 2 in the top rail.:dunno: may work for a k5 too
 
You said the ones like used on bikes? After you flip the lever, you still have to spin them right? Could they spin around being that close to the corner of the top? Or would they just flip over and pull off?
 
mrschaeferpants said:
You said the ones like used on bikes? After you flip the lever, you still have to spin them right? Could they spin around being that close to the corner of the top? Or would they just flip over and pull off?
Click to expand...

I got the idea from bikes, but what i'm looking for is different. Two pieces, a stud that stays in the truck at all times, the cap slides down over the studs, and a lever that flips down to secure it. I'm trying to eliminate the need for tools here, so i'm open to other ideas.
 
what about butterfly quarter turn fasteners?

674MSA06550W.jpg
 
why not short studs and wing nuts.
 
shady said:
my dad always just ran 6 bolts for the bronco he had. Never had a leak problem. I think it was the 2 far back 3/4 of the way up the side and 2 in the top rail.:dunno: may work for a k5 too
Click to expand...

That's how my '76 was when I bought it, and I haven't changed it since.

6 bolts - 2 in the header, and 2 on each side (every other hole, IIRC).
 
shady said:
why not short studs and wing nuts.
Click to expand...

What I like about the stud idea is they can be set in place and then you wouldn't have to "fish around" to get the sliding nuts aligned with the hardtop holes. However, the bolts into the cab are perpendicular to the bolts in the bedsides. This would require pretty long slots in the hardtop holes to get it all lined up. Plus, you are supposed to be compressing the seals a little as the bolts go in, so the studs would either leave the seals too loose or be really hard to get into place.

I would propose wing bolts instead. And they should have pointy ends like the stock hard-top bolts so you can get them started. So along that path, you could just take a 1/2" socket and weld a wing nut to it or some tabs and keep that simple tool in the truck. Then the project is done for like $3 and 5 minutes work. Or just leave these in the truck and skip the whole project:

nut%20driver.jpg


combination-wrench-590rr033010.jpg
 
What about some kind of Dzuz fastener like aircraft use?
self%20ejecting%20dzus.jpg

Z
 
Blue85 said:
What I like about the stud idea is they can be set in place and then you wouldn't have to "fish around" to get the sliding nuts aligned with the hardtop holes. However, the bolts into the cab are perpendicular to the bolts in the bedsides. This would require pretty long slots in the hardtop holes to get it all lined up. Plus, you are supposed to be compressing the seals a little as the bolts go in, so the studs would either leave the seals too loose or be really hard to get into place.
Click to expand...

That's what i was going for with the stud/lever idea. Top slides right on, flip over the lever and the seals are compressed. boom.. I'll prob just go with some wingbolts for now, maybe have some hardware milled up someday.
 
So you turn all of the bedrail topper holes into 2" long slots and then then slot out the upper holes about 1" long up and down? I still think it's better to have the features "recessed" into the truck than sticking out, if possible. Couldn't you make some of these -
Bicycle-Quick-Release-FST-QR07-.jpg

But with the thread sticking out the size of the current hard top bolts? With the lever up, you spin the bolt in then just slap the lever down to set it tight. If we could find a lever part large enough, a set of stock hard top bolts could be modified to go in there.
 
Make it with solenoids and put a button on your keyfob for "release topper". (But maybe wire it to the parking brake switch or something.) Then put some quick connects in the topper for a hoist and use a remote controlled winch to lift it. Bonus points if the whole thing works without you ever leaving the driver's seat. Triple bonus points if you post a video of it in action and finish with "If the women don't find you handsome, they can at least find you handy."
 
Blue85 said:
So you turn all of the bedrail topper holes into 2" long slots and then then slot out the upper holes about 1" long up and down? I still think it's better to have the features "recessed" into the truck than sticking out, if possible. Couldn't you make some of these -
Click to expand...

I think you'd really only have slot the upper holes vertically if you left the studs in. but i do like the recessed idea.

Haha, yeah solenoids, so i can actually do it while underway and have friends airdropped into the back.

Like the Red Green reference.
 
Think i found what i'm gonna use. Just need to wait til i get off the boat and go find the right size. They are called cam levers. Makes sense.
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04233-112005.jpg

Thanks for everybody's input.

04233-112005.jpg
 
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