The Age-Old HardtopQuestion

[joebronco73]

I know this question has been asked thousands of times, but what has everyone done with rusty drip rails? I considered shaving them off, but that just wouldn't look right. Any suggestions?

I'm going to use some rust converter, but for the stuff where the damage is too deep, I don't know where to start. Is there a replacement kit that someone sells or is there a secret I'm not aware of? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Pa PITT]

... I don't remember that question being ask before . But I'm like you I'm sure it has been.
Not to be a Bummer but I'll say Just keep your EYES open for a good or better top.
The reason I say that is I sold DUPONT paint for 30 years. & DUPONT SAID YOU CAN SLOW DOWN rust But you can never really never kill it off.
.. So as I priced out some paint for a door about 3 weeks ago & I could spend $400.00 on paint for one door. A top is bigger than my door was. So If I'm going to waist 400.00 WORTH OF paint It's going onto a GOOD TOP.
.... Good LUCK.

 

[pcf_mark]

I shredded 4 wire wheels cleaning out the drip rails of the sealer and rust. It was pitted but not rotted. Spray on epoxy primer and just kept on going. 5 years later still looks good.

 

[Galt72]

I know this doesnt answer your question but Malotte makes fiberglass tops. I bought one over 20 yrs ago and it still looks like new. No idea what they cost these days.

 

[navalbronco66]

Well if you decide to rebuild your top I got the drip rail rebuild kit from toms. The kit is DynaCorp and includes the front, rear, two sides, along with 2 supports bows for the top. Kit is still in box, and am willing to take a hit on the price. PM me if interested.

 

[joebronco73]

Thanks for the input, guys. I have still been considering doing a fiberglass or new steel top. I don't know which would really be better than the other, though if the fiberglass tops are taken care of and last as long as they do, I can't see why that wouldn't be the more optimal choice.

Navalbronco66 - The problem with trying to rebuild is that I have some spots where the rust has gone through, so a rebuild kit may not be enough. I will definitely PM you, should I decide to try that route.

 

[navalbronco66]

I looked into the fiber glass top on toms and it was like 2500, add shipping and you looking at around 3k. I would have seriously considered a fiberglass top but the price is too steep for me.

 

[Rustytruck]

I would section a piece if need be. Call our Bronco salvage guys and see if they could section you a piece. Make it simple buy cutting about a inch above and below the drip rail and at least a couple of inches longer than you need. I'm sure there allot of bad tops that sections can be cut out of. Trying to section in just the drip rail your going to have to be creative and patient to make it look good.

 

[rydog1130]

Had mine sandblasted, going to fill the holes w/ metal to metal infused metal filler and sand smooth. Should look good!

 

[rydog1130]

Had mine sandblasted, going to fill the holes w/ metal to metal infused metal filler and sand smooth. Should look good!

 

[joebronco73]

I've been looking as well. Everything I saw put the steel hard top around the same price of a fiberglass. At that point, its a matter of what my preference would be. Aside from Galt, I'm not sure how many guys prefer the fiberglass, though newer glass compounds are undoubtedly stronger and more resilient to weather.

Rydog - I've been considering doing the same, but my concern is being able to replace the rusted out areas. It may require sectioning, like Rustytruck said.

 

[Galt72]

fiberglass pros- it's light, quite no tin canning, no rust, camper shell type locking latch and upgraded lift gate props. Can be broke down to 4 pieces for storage.

Cons - don't think a stock headliner would work without a lot of fab if at all. Had to mod/sand the plastic wiper cover to match the top.

I plan on figuring a way to mount the top to my cage and run it without the sides in the summer.

 

[hardwork]

I sand blasted mine about 15 years ago and braised the holes with brass rod . Painted and still ok no rust.

 

[rydog1130]

This is how my top looks right now, I panel bonded new strips in there but I found a newer top for $125 in way better shape so I might abandon this salvage project and turn it into a deer blind... the "bronco Blind sounds kind of cool doesn't it?

 

[joebronco73]

rydog1130, I think my top is in worse condition than yours, so a scrap may be in order. I thought I found a (relatively) local guy who wanted to do some trade, but it may not be worth it if he has ANY rust. Also, that would probably be the best blind you could build, in my opinion. If you could rust-proof it, with some mods, it could even have waterfowl potential....