Windshield frame to hard top bolt spacing

[ksagis]

Probably middle schoolers because it’s JUST enough to make you second guess your own eyes. Lol
Well, the tape is in 1/16” divisions. I’ve got to run into town this morning to get some plumbing stuff so am going to pick up some 7/16” diameter bolts. I’ll mic them for center and remeasure the distances a little more accurately. There’s a distinct possibility that there’s distances that are to 1/32” but that’s difficult to say with any degree of confidence.

Randy

Yeah, the 1/16" divisions might be throwing things off a bit, particularly towards the end as less than 1/16" readings might be stacking up.

If it helps, I'm most interested in the spacing, and not the absolute position on the frame since the parts I'm going to make to hold the nutplates will locate off the holes and not the frame.

 

[Speedrdr]

Got some 7/16” diam bolts. Got a center marked on each one using a micrometer. Here goes what they are, driver’s side to passenger’s side.
L edge of frame to center of 1st bolt is 2 1/2”.
Center of 1st bolt to center of 2nd bolt is 4 5/8”.
Center of 2nd bolt to center of 3rd bolt is 4 5/8”.
Center of 3rd bolt to center of 4th bolt is 8”.
Center of 4th bolt to center of 5th bolt is 8 5/8”.
Center of 5th bolt to center of 6th bolt is 8 9/16”.
Center of 6th bolt to center of 7th bolt is 8”.
Center of 7th bolt to center of 8th bolt is 4 9/16”.
Center of 8th bolt to center of 9th bolt is 4 9/16”.
Center of 9th bolt to R edge of frame is 2 1/2”.

My recommendation is that whatever plate system you’re making is that you use less than 3/8” diameter bolts so there’s some wiggle room. If you hold your tolerances to tight, there’s gonna be a lot of swearing when you’re installing the top; even if there’s multiple assistants and even with a half cab. You can build what you want with whatever tolerances you want; I’m just speaking from experience with small (think of 1/4”) bolts.

Randy

 

[Oldtimer]

Installation hardware for hard top is 5/16" bolts and nuts (plates).
Plenty of wiggle room with 7/16" holes.

 

[Speedrdr]

Installation hardware for hard top is 5/16" bolts and nuts (plates).
Plenty of wiggle room with 7/16" holes.

You’re correct, of course. I tended to be a little lazy when trying to put bolts through basically a blind hole and wanted plenty of wiggle room that allowed the “optimal” fit for the top to the w/s frame. Lol. Never worried about it shifting after installation as I used lock washers and nyloc nuts. Overkill, but safe.

Randy