`72 Blazer with fiberglass cab enclosure

[brian26]

First rule- no cutting of the factory sheetmetal. I made this so I could transfer it from one factory blazer cab to the next without any major issues. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL WORK WITH A CHOPPED OR LAID BACK WINDSHEILD.

[glimmertwin01]

you made the top? is it a folding one? so that is your blue Blazer? I can get a top I could sacrifice....
I dont care if it folds or not ..just as long as it can be set on the cab area ..... I would never cut sheetmeta unless it was rusty junk

[brian26]

Yup, the blue one with the black hood is mine.

The lid itself is from a pickup-outer skin only. You'd be amazed at how good it fits without the inner skin.


If you just want a top that doesn't fold, that's easy! DAMMIT! I mean easy!


Get the lid, set it up to the height you want(Roll yer windows up).

Build a frame work down from there paying attention to how it closes around the windows(Might think about Blazer weatherstripping when you do this).

The top-back corner is the hard part. I used a Mar-K steel rollpan, cut it in half flipped those peices around to get a nice curve. Welded that joint up, cut the excess off at the ends AFTER I GOT SOME 67-72 FENDER CORNERS to use for the ends.

From there down it was flat sheet metal ( I used brushed stainless) wrapped around to meet the doorglass.

The rear window I now use is out of a '36 Chevy truck(needed a bolt on flange). Before that I used a sunroof that opened out.

[brian26]

Get that far, be willing to make some mistakes, you'll see where it's going. A Miller 130 mig and an electric jigsaw(no heat, clean cut) will be 2 of your best friends. Avoid a plasma cutter unless you really need one. I also used a chopsaw and a drillpress.


I do have a brother who is a machinist, but he doesn't like to mess with this stuff.

[hotrodhomi]

Originally Posted by brian26

Yup, the blue one with the black hood is mine.

The lid itself is from a pickup-outer skin only. You'd be amazed at how good it fits without the inner skin.


If you just want a top that doesn't fold, that's easy! DAMMIT! I mean easy!


Get the lid, set it up to the height you want(Roll yer windows up).

Build a frame work down from there paying attention to how it closes around the windows(Might think about Blazer weatherstripping when you do this).

The top-back corner is the hard part. I used a Mar-K steel rollpan, cut it in half flipped those peices around to get a nice curve. Welded that joint up, cut the excess off at the ends AFTER I GOT SOME 67-72 FENDER CORNERS to use for the ends.

From there down it was flat sheet metal ( I used brushed stainless) wrapped around to meet the doorglass.

The rear window I now use is out of a '36 Chevy truck(needed a bolt on flange). Before that I used a sunroof that opened out.

Brian- do you think you can get some close up pictures?

[glimmertwin01]

OK its either way too late here or im just challenged...LOL how does the top outter shin fit to the top of the windows since the doors window frame is non existent on a K5? It seems to me there would be a 1inch gap above the window...
what about using the whole cab Inc. the back Pictures or diagrams you know how us men are we are visual....LOL

[glimmertwin01]

i need visuals!!!

[brian26]

A 1" gap is easily filled with 1" square tubing. You can bend that to fit around the glass curve with a conduit bender.


I can get pictures, but then i need a way to get them on here. For some reason my photobucket isn't letting me paste pics here.

[brian26]

I'm sure the entire back of the cab would work too. Bet it's heavy though when you have real glass. Lexan might fix that.

I was on a mission to make a folding electrical top. The steel part was ironicly by need rather than choice. Glad it worked out the way it did.

You have to want this so bad that it won't leave you alone until you figure it out.

[70 Suburban]

Pics

[brian26]

For what ever reason, since my computer has been updated, I can't get pics on here right now.

I'm 40 miles north of the Texas border, where is Bryan, Texas?

[70 Suburban]

Central.... Halfway between dallas houston and austin

[brian26]

I did finally get a video camera, I'm wanting to put something there that shows the top doing it's cycles. That may have to be next week, since my work schedule changes this weekend. Daylight and time are both short.

[70 Suburban]

LEME KNOW i HAVE A GMC THAT I CAN CUT UP FOR A SWEET SUMMER TOP (RETRACTABLE)

[brian26]

I take it you have a Burb. I miss my '72 Burb. Took it apart to build a Blazer for my ex-stepson. Rode like a Caddy.


Later

[brian26]

Originally Posted by 70 Suburban

LEME KNOW i HAVE A GMC THAT I CAN CUT UP FOR A SWEET SUMMER TOP (RETRACTABLE)

You mean a pickup?

[70 Suburban]

Yeah i have a 72 gmcim using the drive train and rolling chassis for a 66 extended cab 3 door truck so i have a cab left over for what ever i may need.... Its an a/c cab though

[brian26]

Someone send me an email and I will get them pictures.


brian26@brightok,net

[70 Suburban]

blazer72k_5@hotmail.com

[brian26]

Originally Posted by 70 Suburban

blazer72k_5@hotmail.com

You have mail

[brian26]

The last picture should be of the drivers side.

[70 Suburban]

got them all. ill work off of that for now. i think I am goin yo try to make a mold of a stock roof so i can make it light so i can do the retract thing with mustang top pump and cylinder

[brian26]

I also wanted to use aircraft aluminum.

For actuator, I used an electric one with a built in clutch.

[70 Suburban]

hmmm more info

[brian26]

Actually, for the retractable, there is A LOT of info. Remember, I spent 12 years without an education slicing my way through this.