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Transporting a full convertible top

rampage

rampage

3/4 ton status
Joined
Mar 20, 2001
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Humboldt, CA
How safe would it be to put a full convertible top on the bed rails of a pickup and hauling it 250 miles. I would use the existing bolt holes in the top and drilling matching holes in the bed rails to run bolts through. And would it be best to have the top facing forwards or backwards. Just wondering if there would be any chance of the wind/vacuum creating lift on the large lip (where it attaches to the windshield) if I mount it backwards on the bed rails. I'd be doing this during the night/morning so there's little traffic in case anything were to happen and stopping every hour to check that it's secure. Am I crazy or just being overly concerned. I just like to have my cargo secured well at all times.
 
Run it backwards with the ass end all the way to the window. That way, the rounded corners have some place to sit, otherwise they are forced against the bed rails. You can use large C-clamps instead of bolts, that way you're not drilling holes.

Is the year top and transporting truck the same body style?

edit: I've only had a half top on a truck and it was facing forwards. I'm hoping the bed width is close to the same front to back otherwise it might sit funny running it backwards
 
K85 Octane said:
That way, the rounded corners have some place to sit, otherwise they are forced against the bed rails.
Click to expand...

Not exactly understanding this, can you elaborate?

It's going on a a '99 Chevy. Thought about the C-clamps but me being the overly cautious person that I am, I'm worried that they'd loosen up on me enough to let it shift on me, then I'm up :poo: creek being by myself. Bolts are just a more positive way to secure it. Haven't measured the width of the bed rails yet but if they're a different width than the top I'll just run some 2x6s horizontally across the bed that bolt to the rails and then bolt the top to the wood.
 
Me and a buddy brought one home like that, facing backwards on the bedsides of an 89 GMC longbox. We used vise grips and it was fine. Was a 350 mile drive all highway.
 
That makes me feel better, at least I'm not trying to bei a pioneer. :waytogo:
Now that you mention it I vaguely remember you doing that. I'll have to search for that thread.
Maybe I'll reconsider the c-clamp idea. :thinking:
 
I'd just make sure to use the metal trim pieces and then some wood to protect the trim. Or maybe some 2x4s instead of the trim piece. IDK what Rene did exactly but I'm not sure id clamp/bolt just to the fiberglass..
 
Got the trim pieces and I'll be using them. But now the you mention it I could put some one by on top of them.
 
rampage said:
Not exactly understanding this, can you elaborate?
Click to expand...

hahaha

The end of the topper, near the tailgate, is rounded. With my half cab topper, if I remember right, it would sit funny unless the corner actually went to the end of the fender.

*Scratching my head
Like if the topper's corner was sitting on the flat/straight area of the bed rail, it wouldn't sit flat.

IIRC

:haha:
 
Yeah, we used the stainless trim and some chunks of wood. I dunno if we ever took pics, if so might be a pretty old account so the pics would be dead. I got the topper from Bandit in Central Washington, and that had to be 2001...:eek1:
 
Yeah, I searched and the one I was thinking about is the top you picked up from 'fumes. But it looks like you (possibly) took a trip in the rain after you chopped the top off.
 
Yeah, my daughter (then 9? she's 21 now lol) and i drove 6 hours in mid 40's weather, drizzly rain etc in my top chopped Jimmy to get to Rob's place. Once we got there and got the top the weather turned warm and dry. :rolleyes:

Funny, my daughter still talks about that little adventure, and still remembers Rob and his most excellent buffalo burgers. :waytogo:

The one I got from Bandit in '01 got sold with the 74 Blazer I dragged home from San Diego. Really hurt my feelings having to sell that rig, but it bought us two months on the mortgage when we were about out of time.

What a trip down memory lane...:haha:
 
K85 Octane said:
hahaha

The end of the topper, near the tailgate, is rounded. With my half cab topper, if I remember right, it would sit funny unless the corner actually went to the end of the fender.

*Scratching my head
Like if the topper's corner was sitting on the flat/straight area of the bed rail, it wouldn't sit flat.

IIRC

:haha:
Click to expand...

I'll have to look at that area more closely in the morning.
 
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