Anyone know about stock hard top hold down strips? John from Tracy, read this!

[thegreatjustino]

For those of you who know I bought that awesome '67 from the original owner in my neighborhood last year, I took the top off of it this weekend.

When I took it off, I found that each individual bolt didn't have it's own individual nut. Most of the bolts on the bed rails had these strips underneath with square nuts spot welded onto them.

Many of you might suggest that these are home made items, but another EB owner I've met down in Tracy (John, I'm sorry I've forgotten your screen name here on the board) has mentioned these to me in the past. He's found them on a couple of '66 Broncos he's had.

As I said, these came off a '67 I bought from the original owner, and I have a '68 that I'm certain the top has never been off of. The '68 does not have these along the bed rails. So, it seems from what little I know about these, they are a 66/67 item only.

Anyone else familiar with them? Only on the bed rails, not along the windshield frame.

 

[slowRoaner]

Steel or aluminum? Do they go on top or on bottom?

id like to make a one piece version like that. either way its a good idea

 

[badmuttstang]

I made some out of steel used rivnuts and I made it so the where attached to the underside of the rail because I have some fiberglass rear panels and didn't want to take them off every time I wanted to take the top off.

 

[Joker11]

Those look cheap. Like thin sheet metal strips just used for assembly purposes. Looking at the spec book I thought they were more of a flatstock piece that spread the clamping load.

Thanks for posting. I had never seen a picture of them. Just a drawing.

 

[T-Bird]

Those are factory. They are on my 66 half cab and I also have seen them on a 1966 factory diagram.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Those look cheap. Like thin sheet metal strips just used for assembly purposes. Looking at the spec book I thought they were more of a flatstock piece that spread the clamping load.

Thanks for posting. I had never seen a picture of them. Just a drawing.

Can you scan and post the image?

 

[thegreatjustino]

Those are factory. They are on my 66 half cab and I also have seen them on a 1966 factory diagram.

Are they along the bulk head on the half cab? Obviously not the bed rails like mine since the half cab doesn't go back that far.

 

[512cadillac]

I have seem them only one time. A friend had a new old stock full top and he had a brand new set of those stripes with the ford part number sticker still on them. They are nice to have. John

 

[T-Bird]

Can you scan and post the image?

Shown by red arrow

 

[Joker11]

I agree that they are factory. I just thought they served a different purpose.

I was just going to make my own and use flat barstock of a more substantial material.

I don't know that it will matter. But it makes me feel better to make it beefy.

 

[toddz69]

I had some of those years ago along with some other parts from a '66.

I thought they were a great idea. They really don't need to be any beefier than they are - just strong enough to resist the torquing of the bolt into them - which they are.

Todd Z.

 

[Blue71]

Yup factory....seems I have only seen them on '69 or earlier Broncos.

Blue71

 

[No Hay]

Funny! They aren't needed, but would be VERY helpful for the front bolt where you can barely get the nut in that far. The illustration shows them all along except at the front hole!!!

 

[Joker11]

Is there a market for these?
I could knock some out and see if guys like em. I don't plan on ever taking my top off once everything is put together. Other than for maintenance or mods.
But for someone who goes on and off they might be handy.

 

[camp9k]

Its John from Tracy...I can't remember talking about this one but I talk so much about this stuff I forget half of what I say...Anyways I went outside and took some terrible pics under my winshield frame and there are two there! I don't think the original owner ever took the top off so I would say there stock. Congratulation on getting that 67! I am still collecting rusty ones!

 

[thegreatjustino]

Its John from Tracy...

LOL I should have mentioned I know two Johns from Tracy. Are you the John who bought the Explorer brackets from me or the John that I bought the steering wheel from? I'm pretty sure it was the steering wheel John that I talked to about these. I wish I could find his email that he sent me with pictures.

 

[BR549]

Have those all the way around on my stock 67. It was a honest truck that had never been modified or taken apart as far as I could tell.

 

[AaronWelch]

I made some out of 1/4 inch stock. I then welded these in under the bed rails and tapped them to take the bolts from the top. I did not get any pictures of the install while i was building this part. with the top removed they stay put and make the installation and removal easier. Plus should eliminate some of the distortion in the bed rails.

Aaron

 

[cbolt]

Made mine too. love em!

 

[bax]

yep factory. I have them on my 68