Opinions / thoughts on hard tops.

[eighteenninetytwo]

Does anyone who has a pre 76 full top keep the hard top on all the time or use it even some of the time in areas where the weather is good. I'm CA just south of San Francisco. Today its 65 degrees out. Once the top comes off is it ever really going to go back on being that I have a car port and a daily driver in addition? Reason I'm asking is that i could buy another top to make a half cab but i'm wondering if I should just use the one i have as the basis for it and save the $200 for a new top and $100 in gas to get it.

[lowrodderchev]

I take mine off for the summer. there pretty heavy. I leave it off till around October/November then it goes back on. I love it with the top off but man going to the store then racing home to drop stuff off because there's no security sucks.

[eighteenninetytwo]

Security is something I hadn't thought of. However making a half cab would maybe give me a lockable place also. Any other thoughts out there?

[lowrodderchev]

I've seen some guys add a cover to the rear behind the back seat. its pretty cool like a storage place. I've been debating on doing something like that. I have a pic I look for it

[eighteenninetytwo]

Would like to see that pic - sounds interesting. This whole thing is just a huge question for me. What does the truck look like? Do I need a roll cage and does it provide somewhere to fit inertia seat belts for front and rear? does a roll cage fit inside a half can and hard top? would i ever use the hard top etc etc etc. Questions questions, and all interlinked with what i do next.

[68Timber]

I wouldn't own a 73-75 and drive it with the top removed without a roll bar, just me. A full cage would offer heaps more protection, but also kinda detracts from the look of the truck. If you add a full cage it will give you a place to mount the upper link in three point seat belts but won't necessarily come with them or have the mounting bosses.

[lowrodderchev]

something like this would add some storage space. and like BRUISER said diff roll bar. [ATTACH]



[/ATTACH]

[eighteenninetytwo]

On what bruiser mentioned. I was considering just a single roll bar. How tough is the windshield frame on a 75 - does that require strengthening also?? I noted that in the pic of the truck above (72 is it?) the roll cage also is inside the frame.

[68Timber]

A single hoop with braces will be fine for normal use. We're not planning on rolling the thing, right? If you were going to go rock crawling or more extreme off-roading then you'd want something more. The thing about the front cage pictured above, those front bars can be knee-knockers or obstruct window cranks where you have to open the door to roll the window up or down. It's a compromise, how much protection do want...

[lowrodderchev]

the above pic was just to give you a idea of storage space. my roll bar on my 75 is from the rear of the seat and back, like BRUISER said aint trying to roll its for JUST-IN-CASE

[eighteenninetytwo]

well we're not off roading for the foreseeable future, soo I'm guessing that would be fine. As you said the cage does take away from the clean lines which is what attracted me to it in the first place.

[eighteenninetytwo]

lowrodder - do you have a pic of the bar on your 75 please?

[68Timber]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=K5+Blazer+top+off

[lowrodderchev]

only one I could find I do highway driving heading to the mountains all the time top off my sons love it my wife not so much mainly due to her hair getting messed up

[eighteenninetytwo]

I know - I get it. I'm a technical retard!

[68Timber]

Just pulling your leg dude. And I got to see lowrodderchev's cool truck again.

[lowrodderchev]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Just pulling your leg dude. And I got to see lowrodderchev's cool truck again.

wait till you see my interior not bad for doing myself. now I just need to paint the outside and she'll be a beautifully polished turd

[eighteenninetytwo]

That truck is PRETTY much what I'm aiming for. I decided to go with a 2 inch lift whereas it has a 4" lift kit on it right now. I'll need to get the truck right first and dings and dents beaten out, but then I may even go down the route of the white panels on the side with the trim around them like that eventually.

[eighteenninetytwo]

that's what we look for. I saw an article where someone had used Black gloss rustoleum to repaint the hood of his truck and it came out great. I anticipate in time mine will end of rustoleumized (is that a word) as it's already been repainted twice over the original crimson red.