K5 Fastrac Softop Detail Pics - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pierce · 06-02-2003, 05:09 PM

There wasn't much info about softops when I got mine.
The purpose of this is to show more details of parts and installing...
I switch from a hardtop in Winters so this is a Spring install.
This is a Kayline Fastrac Top. I got it 2 weeks before they shut down.
Now the company is Specialty Tops. I had a choice of Bestop and Kayline,
I chose Kayline because of less drilling.
It took a day to install when I 1st got it. The top lays across the back when down,
the spare can't be on the inside mount so it lays on the floor
and you'd probably get sopin wet if you had to put it up quick in a rainstorm...

All the parts have to come off for the hardtop except the back fastrac rail
It's the black line across top of tailgate...

Here's the parts except the top and 3 windows that zip on.

Hardtop is hanging and the softop with all windows on...

pierce · 06-02-2003, 05:15 PM

Holes have to be drilled across the windsheild frame for the trac that is straight and screws bend it to contour frame and 3 snaps are added on each side...

Trac is screwed in from the center out

and is mounted...

pierce · 06-02-2003, 05:24 PM

More holes drilled on bedsides. 1 for the post of the window frame.

this is where I mount these brackets for the window frame although the directions said use the top outside hole the top didn't fit right also flipped it and drilled hole bigger...

The post slides in the drilled hole...

Here they are on.

pierce · 06-02-2003, 05:32 PM

A few more holes have to be drilled along the bed rail also for the brackets that mount onto the fastrac rails which bolt on in the factory holes...

The fastrac rails 2 for each side,

The 2 brackets per side that hold the frames are drilled into the bedsides

The back frame has a tension release that tightens or losens the top... It's at the bottom and is attached to the second bracket on each side...

pierce · 06-02-2003, 05:39 PM

The front back and sides of the top slip int the fastrac like this...

and here it is with the top on and no windows.

That's it...I think it looks alot better with the softop down anyway!

bouncytruck · 06-02-2003, 05:48 PM

Good info and nice detailed shots. I know that SpecialtyTopCo. has pdf instructions on their web site for the standard top. I haven't really taken a good look at them yet to see if they are comprehensable though.

By the way, nice Blazer!

**Yukon Jack** · 06-03-2003, 10:20 AM

Looks like it should seal up good on the front windshield.

BTW - thanks for reminding me how badly I want/need a Blazer!

Grim Reaper · 06-03-2003, 04:32 PM

I like the Black hardware. All my hardware is raw Aluminum.

E-mail Blake at STC and he will correct that error in the instructions. He's pretty good to get along with and will correct stuff like that. They corrected the instuctions on the 73-75 on the header track when I pointed out the information listed was for the 69-72 truck.

Here is a review I did on the 2nd gen Top.
http://coloradok5.com/stcreview.shtml

Mike C · 06-03-2003, 05:03 PM

Great post! Thanks for taking the time. I am seriously considering same top for my Jimmy. But the $100,000 question: "Do you like it?"

pierce · 06-04-2003, 08:01 AM

Thanks,
It does keep dry on the inside, maybe a few drips around driver side window, no worse than the HT. I've had it out in torential downpours and it stays dry. IMO, it's too flat or square looking but it stays down mostly. I like the look of the softop that was posted a few weeks ago for sale on ebay, it matched the style of the hardtop more.

72beast · 11-09-2003, 03:19 PM

what can I say...thats a great write up...
I love my top here in SO Cal, I get some drips on the inside from water sitting on the top around the sides and I'm thinking it's getting through the stiching...

[

Gypsychology · 03-15-2004, 11:55 PM

Anyone ahve a link to hte one that was on Ebay. I didnt catch it but I would love to see it!

**Yukon Jack** · 03-16-2004, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yukon Jack
BTW - thanks for reminding me how badly I want/need a Blazer!

Hmm, I've got the Blazer now

- guess I better start saving up for the soft top!

LUV2XCLR8 · 03-16-2004, 06:52 PM

HEY PIERCE, WHAT DID YOU USE TO SUSPEND YOUR HARD TOP
FROM THE CEILING? OH YEA, IS IT A SINGLE OR DOUBLE WALL ?
11 FT. CEILING IN MY GARAGE AND I WANTED TO DO THE SAME.

pierce · 03-16-2004, 07:28 PM

I used 2 2 x 4's under the top (it's a single wall but it doesn't make any difference if it's a double wall). Then eye bolts on each end of the 2x4's with rope to 4 pulleys attached to eyehooks thru the ceiling attached to 2x4's across the trusses. Makes it easy for me to take on and off.

06-02-2003, 05:09 PM	#1
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	K5 Fastrac Softop Detail Pics There wasn't much info about softops when I got mine. The purpose of this is to show more details of parts and installing... I switch from a hardtop in Winters so this is a Spring install. This is a Kayline Fastrac Top. I got it 2 weeks before they shut down. Now the company is Specialty Tops. I had a choice of Bestop and Kayline, I chose Kayline because of less drilling. It took a day to install when I 1st got it. The top lays across the back when down, the spare can't be on the inside mount so it lays on the floor and you'd probably get sopin wet if you had to put it up quick in a rainstorm... All the parts have to come off for the hardtop except the back fastrac rail It's the black line across top of tailgate... Here's the parts except the top and 3 windows that zip on. Hardtop is hanging and the softop with all windows on... __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

06-02-2003, 05:15 PM	#2
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	Holes have to be drilled across the windsheild frame for the trac that is straight and screws bend it to contour frame and 3 snaps are added on each side... Trac is screwed in from the center out and is mounted... __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

06-02-2003, 05:24 PM	#3
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	More holes drilled on bedsides. 1 for the post of the window frame. this is where I mount these brackets for the window frame although the directions said use the top outside hole the top didn't fit right also flipped it and drilled hole bigger... The post slides in the drilled hole... Here they are on. __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

06-02-2003, 05:32 PM	#4
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	A few more holes have to be drilled along the bed rail also for the brackets that mount onto the fastrac rails which bolt on in the factory holes... The fastrac rails 2 for each side, The 2 brackets per side that hold the frames are drilled into the bedsides The back frame has a tension release that tightens or losens the top... It's at the bottom and is attached to the second bracket on each side... __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

06-02-2003, 05:39 PM	#5
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	The front back and sides of the top slip int the fastrac like this... and here it is with the top on and no windows. That's it...I think it looks alot better with the softop down anyway! __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

06-02-2003, 05:48 PM	#6
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Good info and nice detailed shots. I know that SpecialtyTopCo. has pdf instructions on their web site for the standard top. I haven't really taken a good look at them yet to see if they are comprehensable though. By the way, nice Blazer! __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

06-03-2003, 10:20 AM	#7
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Looks like it should seal up good on the front windshield. BTW - thanks for reminding me how badly I want/need a Blazer! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

06-03-2003, 04:32 PM	#8
Grim Reaper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,704	I like the Black hardware. All my hardware is raw Aluminum. E-mail Blake at STC and he will correct that error in the instructions. He's pretty good to get along with and will correct stuff like that. They corrected the instuctions on the 73-75 on the header track when I pointed out the information listed was for the 69-72 truck. Here is a review I did on the 2nd gen Top. http://coloradok5.com/stcreview.shtml __________________ Grim-Reaper 70 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible, worlds longest resto in progress Looking for 71-72 2wd Blazer or Jimmy Project

06-03-2003, 05:03 PM	#9
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,720	Great post! Thanks for taking the time. I am seriously considering same top for my Jimmy. But the $100,000 question: "Do you like it?" __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-04-2003, 08:01 AM	#10
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	Thanks, It does keep dry on the inside, maybe a few drips around driver side window, no worse than the HT. I've had it out in torential downpours and it stays dry. IMO, it's too flat or square looking but it stays down mostly. I like the look of the softop that was posted a few weeks ago for sale on ebay, it matched the style of the hardtop more. __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

11-09-2003, 03:19 PM	#11
72beast TONYP Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: So Cal Posts: 100	what can I say...thats a great write up... I love my top here in SO Cal, I get some drips on the inside from water sitting on the top around the sides and I'm thinking it's getting through the stiching... [ __________________ 72 K/5 350/205 SOFT-TOP DOUG THORLEY HEADERS A/C CUSTOM REAR BUMPER http://www.socalbigdawgs.com/tr/7.18.03/DSC04290.JPG

03-15-2004, 11:55 PM	#12
Gypsychology Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stationed in Southern AZ Posts: 5	Ebay top Anyone ahve a link to hte one that was on Ebay. I didnt catch it but I would love to see it! __________________ 71' Viper Red Frame Off Blazer 71' Split Bumper Camaro - 396BB

03-16-2004, 06:52 PM	#14
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,477	HEY PIERCE, WHAT DID YOU USE TO SUSPEND YOUR HARD TOP FROM THE CEILING? OH YEA, IS IT A SINGLE OR DOUBLE WALL ? 11 FT. CEILING IN MY GARAGE AND I WANTED TO DO THE SAME. __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

03-16-2004, 07:28 PM	#15
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	I used 2 2 x 4's under the top (it's a single wall but it doesn't make any difference if it's a double wall). Then eye bolts on each end of the 2x4's with rope to 4 pulleys attached to eyehooks thru the ceiling attached to 2x4's across the trusses. Makes it easy for me to take on and off. __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe



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