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Read if interested in a bikini top

any way to get a pic of the top rail of the windshield to see how different it is than mine? The measurements seem right for width, I just dont know if I have as much sweep on the ends...

But like I said, for that price, it can be made to work! ;)
 
YJ,

Am I losing my mind (likely!) or did there used to be closeup photos of the windshild frame mounts and snap positions in this thread???

I like the idea of the design with the stainless header so I don't have to drill eleventy billion holes into the windshield frame (those rust easily enough without adding a bunch of holes to them)....but how does the stainless frame attach? Is there even a source for that part now that STC and Fasttrack are OOB? :dunno:

If someone has accurate measurements of that metal strip, I could certainly make my own I suppose.

Anyway.....this all seems interesting enough. It's not exactly what I'd want as a permanent solution, but it's a good start.....and I certainly couldn't do it for such a low price myself!!! :waytogo:
 
I have pics at http://yukon.b0xen.us/bikinitop/ of the attachment rail that I bought from STC before they went out of business and I can get measurements of the rail. It is secured to the top of the windshield frame with screws. Snaps are still used as can be seen on the two pics that show the bikini top Tonyp had for his K5. You can also see his STC rail and some of the screws used to attach it in the pics. Tonyp and I got the first bikini tops available a few years ago but since he is not active on the boards much I went ahead and got a local guy where I live to start making bikini tops again.

tonypabwcut.jpg



tonypabqcut.jpg


With STC out of business people who don't already have a rail will be on their own to make one - mainly offering that style for people who already have a rail.
 
If you could post up measurements of the rail, or even send em to me and I'll post up measurements with pics.... that way people could be at liberty to make one!
 
I'll get measurements tonight and get some pics posted with those measurements. I'm betting the rail is something that has another purpose and STC just bought it as is, rather than having something made specifically for them.
 
I'll bet its just a rectangle tube or even u channel cut down and that 2nd plate welded to the back... cant be too hard to make, just need some measurements :thumb:

P1050076a.jpg
 
AHHHH.... the mystery is no more!!! yea, post up that pic with measurements, and then total length and I bet I could make one. That would be way easier than trying to do snaps all the way across.
 
The STC rail is actually aluminum extrusion. The PO had one already mounted on the windshield frame for me. I would also like to somehow modify it to mount on the frame without the holes since I can imagine they are rusting away in there.
 
bp71k5 said:
The STC rail is actually aluminum extrusion.
Click to expand...

Okay, my dumb question for the day, what is aluminum extrusion? I don't know much about metals so I assume that is something different than just aluminum?
 
Its the process of forceing hot semi solid Aluminum through a die,
the die tappers from a rough opening into the desired shape of the part.

think seamless gutters....but with tons of preasure. or the playdough shape maker thing.

its "fancing" talk for forced shaped metals

I would be willing to bet alot of money that STC did not have that stuff made just for them but bought it from
a parts handler. it should be the same stuff that is used on J**P tops... the parts supplier that sells the plastic K that goes in thier should also sell the mating part.
 
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Ah, sorry. It's just a fancy way of saying it's not steel\iron. It's a cheap way to get pretty stong aluminum shapes. I thought someone mentioned welding something up so I figured I'd comment since aluminum is trickier to weld (I know I can't)

I've seen similar type shapes at Home Depot and OSH. Someone might try there too.
 
Here is the McMaster-Carr diagram that shows the shape of the rail

raildiagram.gif


The rail has the following dimensions:

Length = 46 15/16"

and comparing to the McMaster-Carr diagram # 2 the diminsions are:

A Side = 3/16"
B Width = 1 1/16"
C = 9/16"

Here is a pic of the rail that I bought from STC before they went out of business with the dimensions placed on the picture

railmeasurements1.jpg


The screw holes are 3/16" wide and just 1/16" from the edge of the rail. At least from looking at the McMaster-Carr diagram, it looks like their holes are about in the middle of the rail - I don't know if that would cause a problem with attaching the rail to the windshield frame.

The next pic shows how the edge of the bikini top is bent into a u shape and slipped into the rail. Then the tension of the rear straps and a couple snaps on each front edge secure the bikini top to the vehicle.

bikinitopwithrail1.jpg


I believe the most critical dimension is "A" as the 3/16" is the right dimension to allow the bikini top edge to slip into the rail.

If someone finds this rail from a parts house or store, please let us know.
 
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so nothing from Mcmaster will work. bummer, I'll keep looking :(

Maybe the 3/8 gap would work?
 
I wonder if the 8429A7 might work *edit - it won't work, wrong style*
. Its dimensions are:

A 1/4"
B 1 3/8"
C 1/2"

and is 3/64" thick.
 
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