06-20-2018, 12:58 AM | #1 |
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My K/5 Bikini Top
I just wanted to post an example of what I've done. Maybe it will serve as a motivation. It took me years to get around to it!
I took one of robs71k5 fiberglass windshield headers and used it to mount a bikini top. I initially planned to use snap ring connectors but instead used heavy duty velcro tape and sewed it onto the top and taped it to the header. I suppose that if you have a soft topper and Rob's header you could match up the snaps and install one of your own bikinis. If the velcro is not strong enough I will add some snaps but it doesn't appear necessary at this time. I took water resistant/UV resistant outdoor canvas and UV resistant nylon thread and sewed this up at home with 1" straps. I added some plastic disconnects and a metal strap mount. The strap mount connects to my rear roll bar anchor point. The plastic disconnects allow for tighter tension. I, also, used a couple of strap locks to keep them from loosening. (not pictured) It needs a little fine tuning but I'm happy. The ride is much nicer up front. The amount of wind is really cut down. I can drive without sunglasses on now. Before that, there was way too much wind/dust that would get in my eyes. The shade is nice, too.
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1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 Last edited by OldCreek; 06-20-2018 at 01:22 AM. |
06-20-2018, 01:06 AM | #2 |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
A couple more pics:
Rob's header is really solid. The mount points really secure the header. At 60mph, the wind noise is really not bad at all! The bikini does fill up like a sail, however. I have a couple of small fine tuning projects to add to this bikini to make it even better.
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1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 |
06-20-2018, 01:43 AM | #3 |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
looks great. let me know how the velcro holds up!
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06-20-2018, 02:03 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Barber City, CA
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
hey look, I don't mind if I'm in the sun in the back seat, but what about the BEER in the back?!
JK, looks great, hope your custom craftsmanship holds up!
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06-20-2018, 11:01 AM | #5 |
Vintage Evil
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hastings, Nebraska
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
Looks great... good job...
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06-20-2018, 11:09 AM | #6 |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
Nice!
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06-26-2018, 12:05 AM | #7 |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
Looks killer!
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01-13-2019, 09:22 PM | #8 |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
See the aluminum bed box? Just fill it up with ice and some cold ones!
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1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 |
01-13-2019, 10:24 PM | #9 |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
Thanks for the compliments!
I added a few items: 1. Front strap that connects to the header/windshield frame via that bolt you can see. (I punched a hole in the strap.) This secures the top and keeps it from ballooning so much. It, also, helps pull it tight. 2. Rear roll bar strap. This keeps the flapping down and the ballooning down. 3. Front header to roll bar strap. This keeps the bikini from sagging onto my head after it has stretched from all the ballooning. It's also good to hang stuff on...towels, swim trunks, etc. (I bought those roll bar clamps on eBay.)
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1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 Last edited by OldCreek; 01-13-2019 at 10:53 PM. |
01-16-2019, 10:17 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
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Location: Arab Alabama
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
Have you considered making these as kits and making money selling them? I am about to buy a 1,000.00+ dollar Softopper in an effort to prevent getting wet seats when we get our very common late afternoon unexpected rain showers during the Summer, but this thing might do the trick too
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My Projects and Toys - All 100% Stock 1972 CST "Highlander" Blazer - 350 auto, PS, PB, A/C, Tilt, Tach, AM/FM & Positraction 1966 Chevy SWB Fleetside BBW Custom Cab, #'s matching 327 V8 & Powerglide, factory deluxe heat, PS, PB, Tinted Glass, sway bar 1961 Chevy SWB Fleetside BBW Custom Cab #'s matching 283 V8 & Powerglide w/ uber-rare Cool-Pack A/C, factory PB, deluxe heat, Clock 1961 GMC K1000 4x4 SWB w/ BBW, Custom Cab and numbers matching 305D V6 engine & 4 spd 1960 GMC SWB Fleetside BBW Custom Cab #'s matching 305A V6 & Hydramatic, factory PB, Clock, Tach, Compass, Hood Jet 1959 Chevy SWB Fleetside BBW Custom Cab w/ rare stainless bed trim, #'s matching 283 V8 & Hydramatic, Deluxe Heat, radio, spotlight 1958 Chevy Cameo #'s matching 283 V8 & Hydramatic, radio, window washers, Factory PB 1958 GMC BBW SWB Fleetside Custom Cab, #'s matching 336 V8 Hydramatic, Factory PS, PB, Clock, RSD, Deluxe Heat & Hood Jet 1957 GMC Suburban Pickup (GMC's Cameo) #'s matching 347 V8 Hydramatic, uber-rare vacuum ashtray, Factory PS, PB, Clock, RSD, Hood Jet 1956 Chevy 3800 1 ton w/ rare 9 ft stepside bed, factory 265 V8 w/ Hydramatic, factory PB, Custom Cab, deluxe heat, spotlight and hood jet. |
01-18-2019, 10:34 AM | #11 |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
The added straps are a great idea ... I will probably do something like that on my next bikini top revision ... clean & simple for the win!
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01-18-2019, 10:22 PM | #12 | |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
Love it wish mine was white. I am wanting to make a hard bikini top out of a damaged hardtop. I did a open side one before (posted somewhere on here) and post it here but it developed some cracks and I am worried if it blew off I would kill someone. I might just cut it after the roll bar now have not decided. PG
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01-19-2019, 02:40 AM | #13 | |
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Re: My K/5 Bikini Top
Quote:
However, there'd be quite a bit of variance because of the position of people's roll bar, etc. Besides, for the time spent I'd probably make more per hour at my regular job. but maybe...
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1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 |
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