Need advice on top removal !!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chiggly626 · 08-10-2006, 01:46 AM

Picked up a nice 72 4x4 for a project and need some advice on removing the top. It has been years , if ever , since the top has been removed. It is a double wall in great shape. My main concern is the seam that runs down the center of the top. Let me know if there are any tricks or tips I should know about. Thanks.

2wdBlazer · 08-10-2006, 08:43 AM

I would make sure all the bolts are off. 2 are hidden in the Sunvisor brackets, 2 in the center of the windsheild, I believe 4 in eacg bedrail and should be 2 brackes at the very back near the hatch. I always walk the bed with my back pressing up and slowly apply pressure to break the seal. It will seem like it is still bolted down if it has been that long since removed. It will probably take 4 of you to lift it off comfortably.

krue · 08-10-2006, 09:37 AM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Post some pics of your Blazer.

bouncytruck · 08-10-2006, 11:01 AM

If you have a garage, you can build a low tech single man removeal system.

http://home.pacbell.net/jls-dls/RemoveTop.html

71swb4x4 · 08-10-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiggly626

My main concern is the seam that runs down the center of the top.

If you think it's two pieces it's not. What I am trying to say is the two "halves" stay together, it won't come apart when you take the top off.
Not sure if that was your question, it's tough to tell exactly what people mean when we are all typing at a computer

**Baketown Scotty** · 08-10-2006, 02:17 PM

Let me know if you need an extra hand lifting it off during the weekend, I'll give you a hand. Not available this weekend, I'll be out of town. I live near Liberty High School.

chiggly626 · 08-10-2006, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the tips and the offer to help. How about removing the bolts, anything special I should do before I put a wrench on them? Has anyone tried a small impact? I really don't want to break any of the bolts off. I'm talking about the ones on the bed side that thread into the top.

bouncytruck · 08-10-2006, 10:07 PM

If the top hasn't been off before, or in a long time, you might want to shoot them with PB Blaster a few hours before.

I'd avoid impact wrenches or anything non-manual. A socket wrench should do the trick. You certainly don't want to break off a bolt. The one's on the top of thw windshield frame can be sticky too, so take it easy on those too. Don't forget to remove the screws in the drip rail deflectors!

Oh, yeah - welcome to the board. Post some pictures of your rig when you get a chance!

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-12-2006, 03:10 PM

From West TN

08-10-2006, 01:46 AM	#1
chiggly626 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 19	Need advice on top removal !!! Picked up a nice 72 4x4 for a project and need some advice on removing the top. It has been years , if ever , since the top has been removed. It is a double wall in great shape. My main concern is the seam that runs down the center of the top. Let me know if there are any tricks or tips I should know about. Thanks.

08-10-2006, 08:43 AM	#2
2wdBlazer The Blazer King Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Valrico, Fl (Tampa) Posts: 1,212	Re: Need advice on top removal !!! I would make sure all the bolts are off. 2 are hidden in the Sunvisor brackets, 2 in the center of the windsheild, I believe 4 in eacg bedrail and should be 2 brackes at the very back near the hatch. I always walk the bed with my back pressing up and slowly apply pressure to break the seal. It will seem like it is still bolted down if it has been that long since removed. It will probably take 4 of you to lift it off comfortably. __________________ 72 2wd Blazer. Its the superbichinest, megacoolinest, superflowinest.

08-10-2006, 09:37 AM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Need advice on top removal !!! Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Post some pics of your Blazer. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-10-2006, 11:01 AM	#4
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: Need advice on top removal !!! If you have a garage, you can build a low tech single man removeal system. http://home.pacbell.net/jls-dls/RemoveTop.html __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

08-10-2006, 02:17 PM	#6
Baketown Scotty Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 314	Re: Need advice on top removal !!! Let me know if you need an extra hand lifting it off during the weekend, I'll give you a hand. Not available this weekend, I'll be out of town. I live near Liberty High School.

08-10-2006, 07:22 PM	#7
chiggly626 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 19	Re: Need advice on top removal !!! Thanks for the tips and the offer to help. How about removing the bolts, anything special I should do before I put a wrench on them? Has anyone tried a small impact? I really don't want to break any of the bolts off. I'm talking about the ones on the bed side that thread into the top.

08-10-2006, 10:07 PM	#8
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: Need advice on top removal !!! If the top hasn't been off before, or in a long time, you might want to shoot them with PB Blaster a few hours before. I'd avoid impact wrenches or anything non-manual. A socket wrench should do the trick. You certainly don't want to break off a bolt. The one's on the top of thw windshield frame can be sticky too, so take it easy on those too. Don't forget to remove the screws in the drip rail deflectors! Oh, yeah - welcome to the board. Post some pictures of your rig when you get a chance! __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L Last edited by bouncytruck; 08-10-2006 at 10:08 PM.

08-12-2006, 03:10 PM	#9
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	Re: Need advice on top removal !!! From West TN __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T



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