Hard safari top project

Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

EDIT (6/9/21): IF I COULD START THIS PROJECT OVER, I WOULDN'T SEPARATE THE SIDE PANELS FROM THE ROOF. SEE HERE:https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3378584&postcount=41

ORIGINAL POST:
This morning I've had my mind on construction...but there was some destruction involved.

I'm hoping I can get this this roof panel mounted via my cage so that the side panels can be bolted back in. After getting it apart, I'm not sure it'll be easy. (To be fair, I wasn't sure of that to start with.)

Last night I did a little research on BD full hard tops. I didn't want to destroy my decent hard top, but couldn't afford a new glass top from BD. But my hardtop isn't in good enough condition to worth much, so I might as well try it. After all, I don't intend to use the side panels much anyway...

So here's a few pics of progress so far.

Just an FYI, with the help of JAKS, I found there are lots of spot welds in this corner.

And the tools I used to get past most of the spot welds...

These cheap Harbor Freight spot weld remover tools don't last long. I was drilling about an 1/8 hole to center the tool, and it may have worked better with a much dmsller pilot hole...

I'm off to get the other side off! More pics later.

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sprdv1 · Aug 18, 2017

Dang it Adam.... One other damn thing on the list..

Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

sprdv1 said:
Dang it Adam.... One other damn thing on the list..

What can I say? I just like to be first to finish! #winning

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Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

Got the other side off. Break time. It's a bit humid.

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ObscureMachine · Aug 18, 2017

I did it. It's on here somewhere. But I can't weld and it looked like crap. Still love the concept.

Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

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okie4570 · Aug 18, 2017

Looks like your furry friend is "messing" up your work space? Watch your step lol.

Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

okie4570 said:
Looks like your furry friend is "messing" up your work space? Watch your step lol.

Yeah I came outside after a drink of water and he's all sprawled out on top of it... he needs a bath too!

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Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

Aaaaaaaand, I'm spent.

Still gotta put the sides and hatch in place so I can build some mounting brackets, but that can wait till I'm cooled off.

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Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

ObscureMachine said:
I did it. It's on here somewhere. But I can't weld and it looked like crap. Still love the concept.

Where's your pics, man??? Don't leave us hanging in 2012 wondering how it turned out.

Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

It's depressing when I hit "new posts" and my own thread doesn't show up at all... like...how am I supposed to come back to it quickly???

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Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

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Boss Hugg · Aug 18, 2017

I gotta say that this little project has added a whole bunch of quiet to my ride....

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boonz28 · Aug 19, 2017

Looks good man, well done

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73azbronco · Aug 19, 2017

I am so liking tyhis idea.

Consider then, having a shop make the soft sides you can zip or snap into place.

I'm considering this as an option before putting my real top on.

boonz28 · Aug 19, 2017

73azbronco said:
I am so liking tyhis idea.

Consider then, having a shop make the soft sides you can zip or snap into place.

I'm considering this as an option before putting my real top on.

Hmmmm, maybe even canvas sides that roll up and secure inside with straps?

73azbronco · Aug 20, 2017

Hmmmm, yes!

Boss Hugg · Aug 20, 2017

I'm not gonna spend money on the soft sides. They'd be ragged out before too long anyway. I was tired of the bikini top flapping around at 70 and 80. Too much noise. This hardtop is so quiet I could actually have a conversation with the wife at 75. With a little work the sides will bolt back in and be water tight. The only downfall is I don't have room to carry them with me for installation when needed.

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Boss Hugg · Oct 2, 2018

Okay, so this past weekend, and the previous weekend at OCBR we had the privilege of driving around in the rain.

The solid panels with glass windows are too heavy to handle that often, and you can't just snap them in and out... So I'm considering cutting the rear corners off the panels, and bolting them in place. Maybe even the front edge too. Then making some window panels that Velcro in between. I need to be able to pick the young'ns up and set them in the back seats and strap them in without climbing in and leaning over the front seats to do that.

Lot's of ideas in my head, but they all cost money to toy around with and i'm a tad short of that for a while... #firstworldproblems

What I'm really wanting is something like the rampage side panels that zip on at the top and slide on at the bottom, but I also want a mechanism to keep the panel stretched tight all the time.

ObscureMachine · Oct 2, 2018

I tried this a couple of years ago and before I could weld. Didn't have a full cage either. I still have the butchered top, so I may give it a try again! Thanks for the inspiration!

Hard safari top project

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