Old TOPic, New twist!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
Old TOPic, New twist!
OK folks,
I realize it is now November and the idea of running topless is becoming less appealing to many of us but I finally have some pictures of a custom top that had been on the drawing board and in the garage since before GS died. So, since I have two extra complete tops floating around I decided to build this one.
The pros and cons are pretty obvious. For those of us who have 1992 and later model trucks, this is a saftey conscious alternative to complete removal of the top and a more cost effective answer than a $500.00 soft top which is still incapable of supporting the rear shoulder belts. It is not complete and more pictures are available in my gallery under the same title as this thread.
Missing from the photos is the black vinyl soft section that covers the hole in the top. Two clear vinyl with black vinyl border windows that zip onto the top edge of the side window opening and snap down around the remaining perimeter. These windows will have the necessary ties, snaps, etc, to allow them to either roll up against the upper edge of the window opening or unzip and be completely removed from the top. The aluminum "bows" across the top are captive between the inner and outer layers of the soft piece that covers the top. They are pictured here for reference only. I welcome any questions, comments, ideas positive and negative regarding this project. I will be posting additional pictures as the project nears completion.
Oh BTW, I have spent in total including the cost of the top itself, $235.68. Granted my mother is a seamstress so the sewing was done in exchange for cleaning the gutters on the house (still not sure who got the better end of that deal). And I simply can't post this without a sincere thanks to StrauntonBronco who had the extreme misfortune to roll his 93 leaving the top without a home. It now has a home on my 93.
I realize it is now November and the idea of running topless is becoming less appealing to many of us but I finally have some pictures of a custom top that had been on the drawing board and in the garage since before GS died. So, since I have two extra complete tops floating around I decided to build this one.
The pros and cons are pretty obvious. For those of us who have 1992 and later model trucks, this is a saftey conscious alternative to complete removal of the top and a more cost effective answer than a $500.00 soft top which is still incapable of supporting the rear shoulder belts. It is not complete and more pictures are available in my gallery under the same title as this thread.
Missing from the photos is the black vinyl soft section that covers the hole in the top. Two clear vinyl with black vinyl border windows that zip onto the top edge of the side window opening and snap down around the remaining perimeter. These windows will have the necessary ties, snaps, etc, to allow them to either roll up against the upper edge of the window opening or unzip and be completely removed from the top. The aluminum "bows" across the top are captive between the inner and outer layers of the soft piece that covers the top. They are pictured here for reference only. I welcome any questions, comments, ideas positive and negative regarding this project. I will be posting additional pictures as the project nears completion.
Oh BTW, I have spent in total including the cost of the top itself, $235.68. Granted my mother is a seamstress so the sewing was done in exchange for cleaning the gutters on the house (still not sure who got the better end of that deal). And I simply can't post this without a sincere thanks to StrauntonBronco who had the extreme misfortune to roll his 93 leaving the top without a home. It now has a home on my 93.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 0
From: Southern NH
Your idea looks great.
Being a seamstress myself, I can picture what it will look like with all the vinyl on.
I have an idea for a roll bar, constructed to fit the back of the bronco, that you can attach the seatbelts to. Cousin and uncle are welders and they said it would be a piece of cake. Unfortunately I have way too many projects in process right now. Maybe next year.
Being a seamstress myself, I can picture what it will look like with all the vinyl on.
I have an idea for a roll bar, constructed to fit the back of the bronco, that you can attach the seatbelts to. Cousin and uncle are welders and they said it would be a piece of cake. Unfortunately I have way too many projects in process right now. Maybe next year.
