Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

i think you kids would proubly like a window. but thats a tought one i think the second looks good.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Yeah I was thinking about the removable window idea, that would be pretty cool. Have the last pic top with removable windows that either button up to the top sides and the bedsides OR have some sort of latches to secure them. I think the easiest way would be to have the blank sides but thats not what i would like to do. I agree that the kids would like to have a side window too when the top is up... I would be surprised if the top is up more then 20% of the time but that all depends on when the snow decides to leave up here...

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I agree. This is the winner in my book as well. Although I think there will need to be some sort of separation most likely between the glass from the door and the rear window in the top. Fantastic project though! I'm loving this and have wanted to do this to mine for a long time.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

just a thought, Burb front door windows might help you out with this project. or if you have new ones cut have them cut square on the back corner....

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

i agree with the blazer window, possibly electric if theres room
just an idea, you can have the orange vent connected to a regular window to roll up as one unit((assuming there is enough room/clearance,
or have that vent on a pivot ((see pic --> red with yellow dot for pivot point with an actuater electric??
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t.../blacktop3.jpg

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

awesome idea zammer.. sounds like you have lots of guys helping you with ideas. if you ever need someone to drink a beer with while your working... give me a call. im in your neck of the woods. i wouldnt mind coming to have a look at it and see how it will work. i got a price from wayne's upholstery to make me a custom top, nothing to fancy.. .. but the price was 2500 bucks. using boat canvis.. i saw a picture of a half top he did on a 72 blazr and it looked ok. i dont like the half tops though.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Thanks guys for the ideas and compliments.... its keeps me motivated... The project has definatly been fun but at times ( a couple ) i found myself wondering what the hell i took on here.. :lol: That usually happens when i guy needs a brake from doing 105 measurements in an afternoon and it seems like you are where you started earlier. Thats how a guy learns i guess and what makes it a good challenge.

I really like the roll up window idea, I thought of that also but i seemed like it would be hard to get a wondow to go all the way down with having the rear tubs in the way... I'll look into what window options there are and the burb window idea too.
Tomorrow I am going to the local princess auto ( you canada guys know how sweet that store is for us up North here ) and look at some air cylinder options and where I will have to anchor them - which will give me a better idea of if i can fit a side window or not as the cylinder will be mounted on the front side of the wheel tub too..

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Heres what i was thinking for air cylinder mounting and maybe where the side windows can fit..

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Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

If you choose electric for your ram, I'd suggest micro-limit switches to stop the current when the cycle is done.

Get that down, and then think 'remote control'.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I picked up some air cylinders with a 2.5" diameter and they should be good for 500 pounds of force each @ 100 PSI which should be more then adequate..
Now the only problem is I got them to fit pretty close but the required stroke length from full open to fully closed is around 6.8 - 7 Inches...
The cylinder i got has a 7.8" stroke - about an inch too much...
So what is the easiest way to reduce the stroke to what i need?
One way i have read that i can do it is by shortening the cylinder wall so the piston won't stroke as far... that seems like lots of work.
The other option i was thinking about is using some sort of stopper so when the top is at it's required retracted position - which also would be the retracted position on the cylinder, it would restrict the cylinder from closing that extra inch which would put strain on the top rack frame to try and get it to close more....
Any other ideas how to reduce the stroke?

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

This is the exact cylinder.... It has support stays on the sides that can be un-bolted pretty easily but its the part on cutting the cylinder that makes me wonder how the hell i could make a clean cut to get the cylinder to seat proper and not leak after I chop it up..

Attachment 608148

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I think its time for an update. :metal:

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I agree! I want to see more of this project.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

It is time for an update! :lol:
I can't believe its been 2 1/2 months already since the last post..
O.K .... I'll get some pics and I actually have the top fully extending and retracting on its own now with the air cylinders.... works pretty sweet.
I want to get a video on Youtube so you guys can see what it looks like in motion,, give me a day or 2 and I'll see what I can do :metal:

Kris

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

cool...can't wait for the video!!!

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Did u have to cut the cylinder at all?
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Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I decided to not cut the cylinder and just modify the top rack ram pivot out further so the stroke would be longer & at the same time it would give more leverage to get the top out of its retracted position from behind the rear seat.
To give you an idea of the force needed, these cylinders are pushing about 700 lbs EACH around 100 psi supply pressure. I changed the cylinders out once to larger ones as the first set i tried didn't have quite enough force . The first cylinder i put in was a 63 x 150 mm ( 2.5" diameter, which was good for 490 lbs @ 100 psi ) and the second one which worked good was a 82x150 mm (3.2" diameter)

I also put in a tension spring on the opposite side of each cylinder to assist them to open, and to resist the frame when its going down towards the windshield.. The spring is set up so it will be completely hidden and it just adds a nicer flow to when the top is going up and down..

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

O.K... after 4-5 hours of video recording, charging batteries, downloading and learning how to use YouTube and registering .... I think i have something for the showing... but first here are a couple pics of the Cylinders and mounting locations I ended up with including the window set-up for the rear sides which is another huge project on its own to get them to fit and work properly.. I'm working at a leisure pace which makes this fun as its supposed to be..

Attachment 634839

Attachment 634840

Attachment 634841

Attachment 634842

Attachment 634843

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

The YouTube video is done processing..... here we go

I had my just 3 year old daughter do some background singing for us . :lol:


The title is "retractable blazer top" if the link dosen't work for anyone..

Kris

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

UUUMmmmm, that might be the koolest thing ever. When can you do mine?

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Thanks man! It was pretty rewarding seeing the thing stoke for the 1st time without needed to fire up the grinder and welder..
I'll tell you what Tony, if you can spray my blazer in the next year or so I can do another one no prob now that I don't have to do 1200 measurements and use up 40-50 zip disks to make adjustments... :lol:
Start looking for a top rack laying around..
Now that the top is done the big hurdle will be trying to tuck the side windows into the bed sides :chevy:

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I'll trade you a spray job for a top!....seriously!

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

"Yay! A Truck!!"

That is absolutely awesome! I am getting the shivers getting ready to re-skin my Mustang's convertible top and I don't have to mess with the mechanisms at all. Incredible out-of-the-box thinking man.:metal:

A suggestion for what it's worth...You might consider building up the bed top rails to match the body lines of the doors. This would allow a smother, unbroken line for the bottom the the finished drop-top and it would give you another inch or two of room to tuck the new rear windows away in.

Very cool work for sure.

Herb

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

That is awesome!! Amazing you could get it to work the way you wanted. Wish I had that kind of patience and brain power.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

That looks fantastic! You did a great job with it.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

cool!! it will be interesting to see what you do with the rear side windows!

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I can dig it. I got mine only as a halftop, and it's very nice to see someone tackle the rear seat version. Stay with it. I'll be checking in.

One thing you might add to the 'to do' list- "IF" you still have the rain gutter on the windshield header, you'll want to trim it. The vaccuum pulls pretty heavy as it comes over the top, creating a blowfrog effect. The top will have to be tight, and maybe the vaccuum ceiling being lower, you'll be happy.

Since yours is a custom, you have much more lee-way than I gave myself.

Build it.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

And by the way, I've been at it since '94 (now and then), and there are very few of us out there. Less than five I know, maybe less than that, in the world. For old Blazers of course.

Need any thing, let me know. I truly want to help.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Watching your video again has me really liking your actuators. The movement of the top is nice and balanced, without any rock and jive. Excellant craftsmanship too!

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

my exact thoughts too.... :metal::metal::metal:

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Not to create a hijack of this thread, but your truck does the same thing, it would be nice to see video of how yours works also

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Yes, I'll be getting mine up soon. Finally learned about yoo-toobe and such. Just need to film it now............. I'm seeing some things this guy is doing here that interest me.



But, the room in mine is limited, and a "behind the rear seat" drop top is worthy to pursue(women like practical Blazers, for the kiddos of course). I did look into this avenue back in '98, but the mechanism I had ( fold out couch!LOL) had something that didn't jive......can't remember what it was. I did use the fold-out couch geometry for the half-top though. When I started, stock was "in". I see this new generation much more willing to cut and modify Blazer skin.

We really need to pursue this school of thought for old Blazers. And maybe, juuussst maybe, the rest of the world will quit calling us Bronco enthusiasts!LOL

This could set us apart.

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

I'm thinking 59-60 power sideglass rear window mechanisms from a Cadillac, 2 door hardtop. Maybe even use the glass too. Steel frames, chromed, and close to the shape here.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...etInline-5.jpg

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

To give you guys an idea of what I am doing with the windows on the sides....
I picked some old doors that were rusted out on the bottom and I cut off the top 2.5" where the window comes through and I will be welding that on top of the bedsides to increase that height.... Where I have cut the top section already that will be were the top section will go .
I can then use the inner door for attaching the window regulators which will be powered on the inside of the bedside near the air cylinders... I mocked this up already but didn't take any pics, it looks pretty sweet as it follows the body lines nice and will be very functional for the side windows..

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Coming along great... didn't Pat Maxwell do one of these in the mid 90's? or was I dreaming....lol

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Very cool!

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

its coming along awsome!!!!

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Hey Thanks guys... I'll get some window pics out in the next week once I figure out where I can tuck the window in the inner bedside nicely

Re: Blazer retractable convertible top
 

Very cool! Keep it up!