Factory Toppers

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Nov 20, 2001 | 05:28 AM

Supercab

Thread Starter

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,371

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

Factory Toppers

Does anyone know how to remove the outside latch assembly from the Ford Factory Toppers? I need to change mine, & it looks like a "replacement" houshold garage door handle is exactly the same, so when I get the old one off I'll try it & advise.
Secondly:I know this probably belongs in the classified section, but if anyone needs parts for a Factory Topper I've got my hands on one at a junkyard, for parts, the top itself is pretty much waisted.
Thanks!!! -Supercab

Nov 20, 2001 | 07:12 PM

Mil1ion

New User

Joined: Jan 2008

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Likes: 24

Factory Toppers

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Nov-01 AT 08:13 PM (EST)]The garage door handles DO NOT work,
It's been tried numerous times.
Unfortunately the Part has been obsolete for years.

Dennis

78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
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Nov 21, 2001 | 03:19 PM

Kenny

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 2,484

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From: New Egypt, New Jersey

Factory Toppers

Hi, I have a few of those factory toppers. First, remove the cover plate from the back side of the cap door. There should be 2 nuts holding the handle on from the inside. Once you remove the "T" handle, take it down to your local locksmith. They should have a brand new locking "T" handle for you.
Try to match up the best you can. (Some new ones come with oval bezels, and some rectangular). You want oval like the original. The only thing you may have to do is widen out the mounting holes on the plate inside the cap door (the one the bolts go through) because the bolt to bolt distance is slightly off. Also, you may have to hacksaw the length on the square stock on the back of the handle. The handles my local locksmith had may have been for garage doors, but they worked very well.

Kenny

Nov 23, 2001 | 08:20 AM

Supercab

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Joined: Feb 2000

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

Factory Toppers

Thanks, Kenny for the info. on replacing the latch assembly on my factory topper, I kinda thought a garage door latch would work with some modifications, my old one is pitted and I have no key.
Do you by chance have a good unrusted roof vent??
Thanks, Rick

Nov 23, 2001 | 07:11 PM

Kenny

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 2,484

Likes: 7

From: New Egypt, New Jersey

Factory Toppers

Rick, Unfortunately mine are all on restored caps. Those roof vents come apart pretty easily though. Just remove the acorn nuts from the inside, and it will come off. Once it is out, it is easily taken apart. All you need to do is clean it up with some sandpaper, paint it, and put a new piece of screen in. I put a little Neversieze on mine before I put it back together. It will work and look like a million bucks!

Kenny

Nov 29, 2001 | 06:34 PM

Supercab

Thread Starter

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,371

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

Factory Toppers

Just thought I'd update everyone on my replacement of the latch handle on my factory topper:
Kenny was absolutely right,(I think hes an expert on these tops)it was very simple, and only cost about $6.00 to do:I did have to widen out the holes in the plate for the mounting bolts, and ended up cutting about 1 1/4" off of the square shaft on the new handle, not a big job at all, and looks VERY original!!!
now I'm going to tackle the roof vent!!!!!
I noticed lots of views on this subject, I wonder just how many folks have a factory topper?????
Thanks Again Kenny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!