hard top question

[Southern Rebel]

Will a hard top from a 72 blazer fit on a 70?

[Big J]

Is it single wall or double wall? The tops fit the same. The difference is they mount different. The single bolts down from the top with the bolt going through the the top into the top of the bed rail. The double bolts from underneath the bed rail with the bolt going up into the top. Hope this helps.

[bouncytruck]

Yes, but there were two different types of hard tops - Single Wall and Double Wall. Single Wall tops bolt down from above the bed rails and Double Wall tops bolt up from under the bed rail. Single wall tops are easier to remove/install, especially if you have interior side panels. Single wall tops are also slightly lighter. I have also heard that the bolt holes on the bed rails on single wall & double tops don't line up so you may have to drill some new holes. If you are unsure which to you have, you can tell quickly buy checking to see if the top has two dome lights. If it does, it is a single wall.

[Southern Rebel]

Thanks, I have a double wall. I've seen blazers with the inside cargo panels, mine doesn't have any, the back wheel housings inside must have rusted out because they are not round like all the others I have seen, but almost a box shape. If you have a double wall top, does that mean your blazer didn't come with the cargo panels, because you would have to take them off to undo the top, or is this what you had to do. It's my first blazer, so theres millions of questions I have-just hyped I guess. Thanks for all the answers that I have received for my questions!

[J.Lance]

They started using the single wall top mid year in 72. Both single and double wall tops could potentially have side panels, just depends on what option package it had. You do have to remove the panels to remove a double wall top but not that big of a deal. You can use either top on any blazer but if it is not the type it originally had, you'll have to drill new holes in the bed rails to correctly locate the bolts.

Jason

[bouncytruck]

My '69 has a single wall top so they must have started single walls from the get-go.

You can buy new rear wheel housings or pull some from a fleetside pickup.

If your truck has the brackets that hold ther rear cargo panels (or holes where they once where, your truck came with rear cargo panels. This picture shows the cargo panels.

[Southern Rebel]

Thanks guys, mine doesn't have the brackets, but I'll check for the holes just to see if it originally came with the panels. I've only had if for 2 weeks, and haven't had much time to examine it. I'm still actually trying to make sure it's a 250 and not a 292 in it. I was told there was a number behind the distributor, but I haven't been able to find it yet. I was thinking about also having the back cargo area rhino sprayed, that way I wouldn't have to worry about carpet getting wet or paint scratched, just a thought. Hopefully I'll be able to get some pics in here soon. Many thanks for the answers and just like to say this is an awesome website!!

[J.Lance]

Originally posted by bouncytruck
My '69 has a single wall top so they must have started single walls from the get-go.

If that is your '69 in the picture, it is a double wall. Single walls definitely did not appear in the factory until 72. Remember single walls bolt from the top going down into the bed rail and they also have dome lights. A single wall in a '69 wouldn't be original.

[bouncytruck]

That's not my truck. That is just a photo I pulled from the web a few year ago. I realize that top is a double wall. Mine is definatly has the original top.

[J.Lance]

Originally posted by bouncytruck
That's not my truck. That is just a photo I pulled from the web a few year ago. I realize that top is a double wall. Mine is definatly has the original top.

If you've had the top off and there are no extra holes in the bed rail and no evidence that any were filled at one time and it is a single wall top...I'd be looking for evidence of a body swap because it would be a '72 tub. Either that or some one off prototype that is worth moocho bucks!

O.K., had to add this. While it is my belief from past research and speaking with the "experts" that single walls only appeard in '72, I can not definitively state that a pre-72 Blazer could not have come with a single wall. If that is the case, especially in 69 being the first production year, I couldn't even fathom how rare it would be! I can say that single wall, as we can all agree, are the superior top. I don't doubt that many pre-72 Blazer owners were a little jealous of the new top and had to have one for themselves back in the day. Can you imagine! Ordering a brand new top from the dealer would be sweet!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

And why is the single wall top superior?????

[bouncytruck]

It's easier to remove/install. The double wall tops also have a tendency to split.

[Southern Rebel]

I hope the single wall are lighter. I tried taking my double wall off for the first time today and that is one heavy son of a gun!!!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Thank's guy's ...I like my double walled tops though and I just use some 4x4 post's to get my top on/off... I guess I will have a hard time selling my 2nd double wall top and hatch ,bummer??

[71blazerman]

Singlewall and double wall tops have different bolt patterns. I bought a doublewall thinking I could just bolt it right on, but when I put it on the truck none of the holes lined up.

Although, I have heard that several people out there have rigs that have bolt patterns for both, mine didn't fit in this category.