single or double wall??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CHEVYE · 10-16-2004, 11:33 PM

i am gonna take the top off of the blazer soon to work on it. i think it is a singlewall and wanted to know the differences? here are some pics if they help, thanks, eric.

72 CustomCamper · 10-16-2004, 11:36 PM

That is a single wall. The bolts on a single wall go down from the top side, on a double wall they come up from the bottom...

Chuck

blazen72 · 10-16-2004, 11:40 PM

which top is better to have and why are were two different ones made?

72 CustomCamper · 10-16-2004, 11:42 PM

I think the single wall is better as the double wall tends to sag in the middle. Couldn't say why they made two differend ones...

Chuck

jakeslim · 10-17-2004, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

I think the single wall is better as the double wall tends to sag in the middle. Couldn't say why they made two differend ones...

Chuck

Do they stay warmer? Someone told me that the single walls tend to collect moister inside and that the double walls, since being more insulated did not.

72 CustomCamper · 10-17-2004, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeslim

Do they stay warmer? Someone told me that the single walls tend to collect moister inside and that the double walls, since being more insulated did not.

Not sure about staying warmer. I never drove the 71 I had with a double wall. Bought the truck and parted it out...

Chuck

CHEVYE · 10-16-2004, 11:53 PM

yeah the bolts do go from the top, thanks.

71jimmy · 10-17-2004, 01:45 AM

Don't think double wall tops had inside lights. I think single wall was only made in '72. I've heard that single walls also sag. The tops are so huge that the fiberglass just weakens over the years, bracing was at minimum to keep weight down.

*Drop Top 71* · 10-17-2004, 04:39 AM

My trucks FROM Montana as far as i know, and the Original owner got a double wall.... So maybe they were better at keeping heat in? I know the truck has a block heater too, apparently the (cold)weather was an issue in a previus life? It's a 71 and if they really didnt start making single walls untill 72 - then that's definetly why its not a singlewall! MY $0.02

3 on the tree · 10-22-2004, 10:26 PM

My 70 dbl wall is a Colorado truck. I think they did the double wall to keep condensation inside the top to a minimum. BTW 1970 owners manual says to decrease load capacity by 225lbs when equipped with the hardtop.

CHEVYE · 10-17-2004, 10:06 AM

mine is a 69, it must have been changed out. it is in excellent shape too. i just wondered why everyone seems to want to get rid of their double wall for a single wall?

crzngmychvy · 10-17-2004, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEVYE

mine is a 69, it must have been changed out. it is in excellent shape too. i just wondered why everyone seems to want to get rid of their double wall for a single wall?

If anyone has an idea on how to get a top out to southern cal I'm interested in buying it, don't have a top to trade.

LUV2XCLR8 · 10-22-2004, 10:25 PM

I'VE ALWAYS HEARD A SINGLE WALL IS LIGHTER THAN A DOUBLE WALL

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEVYE

mine is a 69, it must have been changed out. it is in excellent shape too. i just wondered why everyone seems to want to get rid of their double wall for a single wall?

*Gee_Emm* · 10-17-2004, 12:18 PM

The bolt hole locations are different for single and double walls so if you think your truck originally had a double wall and now has a single top just check the bed top rails for evidence of 2 sets of holes.

jakeslim · 10-17-2004, 12:44 PM

Good stuff. So is it a fact that singles were only made in 72? It seems to me that with cost mgmt, its VERY possible that GM went into a single wall design to save $$. Does anyone have an options list for the 72 that shows cost of either . I'd bet that the double would have cost more. Good information if we can figure it out.

skid · 10-17-2004, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gee_Emm

The bolt hole locations are different for single and double walls so if you think your truck originally had a double wall and now has a single top just check the bed top rails for evidence of 2 sets of holes.

My original unmolested 72 came with two sets of holes. One with captured nuts for a single wall, and the other with through holes for a double wall with the nuts in the top. My truck came with a double wall. Must be a 72 only thing...

2wdBlazer · 10-17-2004, 01:22 PM

1.Double wall IS heavier. (pain in the but)

2.Double wall is harder to bolt on/off because bolts go in upside dow and you can't see to allign. (pain in the but)

3. Double wall has threaded holes/truck does not. Single wall does not have threaded holes/truck does.

4. Who want's a top anyway? We own convertibles for a reason. ha.

*Gee_Emm* · 10-17-2004, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wdBlazer

3. Double wall has threaded holes/truck does not. Single wall does not have threaded holes/truck does.

This is correct, I had to relocate the holes on the bedsides I am using for my Jimmy. There were just holes and I had to fill them in and make oval holes and weld on nut keepers on the underside.

jakeslim · 10-17-2004, 08:24 PM

the double wall has threaded holes in it, the truck does not.

CHEVYE · 10-17-2004, 03:17 PM

that`s all i plan to do is leave it in the garage when it`s raining. i don`t want to invite half the neighborhood over to get the top on and off all of the time. oh wait i don`t have neighbors, guess i`m s.o.l. ha.

71jimmy · 10-17-2004, 05:52 PM

All valid points, I have a double wall for my '71, and yes it is heavy. I have heard from single wall owners that the weight difference is not that great. You may need 3 or 4 people to remove/install a double wall, but for the single you probably need 2 or 3.

So, don't think of it as a pain in the a**, think of it as an excuse to have a party, get some brewskies, turn on some tunes.

jakeslim · 10-17-2004, 06:13 PM

Well me and my girlfriend put my double wall on with some "thinking". Really was not that difficult. Of course if your paint is worthy, then it might be a different story

anyone know what size bolt I need?

3 on the tree · 10-22-2004, 10:19 PM

I have a 70 dbl wall . Ican pulla bolt tomorrow morning and take it to the hardware store and give you pitch and size tomorrow pm-just say the word

jakeslim · 10-22-2004, 10:27 PM

I think they are 3/8's but if you get a chance let me know. I also need to know if they are large or small thread(fine). I am afraid of stripping. Since no bolts have been for a bit, they will offer some resistance to the bolt, I just want to be sure the resistance is not because of the WRONG bolt

*Drop Top 71* · 10-17-2004, 07:16 PM

Quote:

3. Double wall has threaded holes/truck does not. Single wall does not have threaded holes/truck does.

You sure? I just sold my double wall to ^him^(jakeslim) and i know forsure that my truck has threaded holes, but the top does not, i dont think it did. Good going on talking your girlfriend into helping out with getting the top on! My girl helps me with EVERYTHING , but we never gave that a shot! I always called up my buddies.

Further more i don't think anyone will find you need more or less people needed to put on/take off a double/single wall top. From what i know, and what jakeslim said, a double wall is POSSIBLE to get on with only two(2) people. I've taken mine OFF with only one other friend before. I'm sure a single wall is even easier, that's all. How ever i always called up as many pals were around to make life that much easier.

That's the nice thing about California for us blazer owners, NO SUMMER RAIN!....we take the top off for all of summer, and when it starts to rain, we put the tops back on untill next summer!

10-16-2004, 11:33 PM	#1
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	single or double wall??? i am gonna take the top off of the blazer soon to work on it. i think it is a singlewall and wanted to know the differences? here are some pics if they help, thanks, eric. Attached Images __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

10-16-2004, 11:36 PM	#2
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	That is a single wall. The bolts on a single wall go down from the top side, on a double wall they come up from the bottom... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

10-16-2004, 11:40 PM	#3
blazen72 Dag awn Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester, Va Posts: 61	which one? which top is better to have and why are were two different ones made? __________________ 1972 K/5 CST Blazer 4x4

10-16-2004, 11:42 PM	#4
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	I think the single wall is better as the double wall tends to sag in the middle. Couldn't say why they made two differend ones... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

10-16-2004, 11:53 PM	#7
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	yeah the bolts do go from the top, thanks. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

10-17-2004, 01:45 AM	#8
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,083	Don't think double wall tops had inside lights. I think single wall was only made in '72. I've heard that single walls also sag. The tops are so huge that the fiberglass just weakens over the years, bracing was at minimum to keep weight down. __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

10-17-2004, 04:39 AM	#9
Drop Top 71 I don't get the hint that banned means banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Where the Bomb Dank Grows Posts: 43	My trucks FROM Montana as far as i know, and the Original owner got a double wall.... So maybe they were better at keeping heat in? I know the truck has a block heater too, apparently the (cold)weather was an issue in a previus life? It's a 71 and if they really didnt start making single walls untill 72 - then that's definetly why its not a singlewall! MY $0.02

10-22-2004, 10:26 PM	#10
3 on the tree Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 392	My 70 dbl wall is a Colorado truck. I think they did the double wall to keep condensation inside the top to a minimum. BTW 1970 owners manual says to decrease load capacity by 225lbs when equipped with the hardtop.

10-17-2004, 10:06 AM	#11
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	mine is a 69, it must have been changed out. it is in excellent shape too. i just wondered why everyone seems to want to get rid of their double wall for a single wall? __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

10-17-2004, 12:18 PM	#14
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	The bolt hole locations are different for single and double walls so if you think your truck originally had a double wall and now has a single top just check the bed top rails for evidence of 2 sets of holes.

10-17-2004, 12:44 PM	#15
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	Good stuff. So is it a fact that singles were only made in 72? It seems to me that with cost mgmt, its VERY possible that GM went into a single wall design to save $$. Does anyone have an options list for the 72 that shows cost of either . I'd bet that the double would have cost more. Good information if we can figure it out.

10-17-2004, 01:22 PM	#17
2wdBlazer The Blazer King Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Valrico, Fl (Tampa) Posts: 1,212	1.Double wall IS heavier. (pain in the but) 2.Double wall is harder to bolt on/off because bolts go in upside dow and you can't see to allign. (pain in the but) 3. Double wall has threaded holes/truck does not. Single wall does not have threaded holes/truck does. 4. Who want's a top anyway? We own convertibles for a reason. ha. __________________ 72 2wd Blazer. Its the superbichinest, megacoolinest, superflowinest.

10-17-2004, 08:24 PM	#19
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	the double wall has threaded holes in it, the truck does not.

10-17-2004, 03:17 PM	#20
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	that`s all i plan to do is leave it in the garage when it`s raining. i don`t want to invite half the neighborhood over to get the top on and off all of the time. oh wait i don`t have neighbors, guess i`m s.o.l. ha. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

10-17-2004, 05:52 PM	#21
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,083	All valid points, I have a double wall for my '71, and yes it is heavy. I have heard from single wall owners that the weight difference is not that great. You may need 3 or 4 people to remove/install a double wall, but for the single you probably need 2 or 3. So, don't think of it as a pain in the a**, think of it as an excuse to have a party, get some brewskies, turn on some tunes. __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."



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10-17-2004, 06:13 PM	#22
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	Well me and my girlfriend put my double wall on with some "thinking". Really was not that difficult. Of course if your paint is worthy, then it might be a different story anyone know what size bolt I need?

10-22-2004, 10:19 PM	#23
3 on the tree Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 392	I have a 70 dbl wall . Ican pulla bolt tomorrow morning and take it to the hardware store and give you pitch and size tomorrow pm-just say the word

10-22-2004, 10:27 PM	#24
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	I think they are 3/8's but if you get a chance let me know. I also need to know if they are large or small thread(fine). I am afraid of stripping. Since no bolts have been for a bit, they will offer some resistance to the bolt, I just want to be sure the resistance is not because of the WRONG bolt

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