Top Stowed For The Summer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TexasK5 · 06-02-2013, 03:19 PM

I have owned my 72 blazer since 95 and through the years have used a few different methods to hoist the top for removal and stowed it a few different ways. In my current garage, suspending it from the ceiling would have blocked some lights and leaving it in the yard didn't seem like a good idea. So yesterday I crated it so it could be stood up on end and stored against the wall. It required two 2x8x10', two 2x4x10', fourteen 2x4x8'.

bouncytruck · 06-02-2013, 04:17 PM

Very interesting solution.

**jaros44sr** · 06-02-2013, 07:43 PM

Ok, clever solution to space saving.....but, now im interested in seeing what the rest of the truck looks like

Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy your time here....lots of good info.

TexasK5 · 06-02-2013, 08:16 PM

Thanks for the welcome - here's a pic

**jaros44sr** · 06-02-2013, 08:26 PM

Thats slick, tonneau works also. Like the rear roll pan, wasnt sure what one would look like, now i know...

Whats the engine look like? Sorry just had to ask

Thanks for your time

TexasK5 · 06-02-2013, 08:39 PM

Always glad to share photos. Engine is a 454 from a '73. Full roller bored .030 over.

TexasK5 · 06-24-2013, 03:16 PM

Yes, I believe the tonneau was custom made. It came with the Blazer when I bought it. There is also a soft top that goes with it that slides in a rail along the top of the windshield and zips to the front of the tonneau. The bedsides are attached with velcro. I have done a few iterations of supports, and the latest has pieces of angle behind the seats and above the tailgate so the tailgate can still open with the cover in place. The top gets supported by a tubular frame like a boat would have. I imagine that it was made by an awning shop, I worked for one in college and they did a lot of boat covers there.

skorpioskorpio · 06-26-2013, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasK5

Yes, I believe the tonneau was custom made. It came with the Blazer when I bought it. There is also a soft top that goes with it that slides in a rail along the top of the windshield and zips to the front of the tonneau. The bedsides are attached with velcro. I have done a few iterations of supports, and the latest has pieces of angle behind the seats and above the tailgate so the tailgate can still open with the cover in place. The top gets supported by a tubular frame like a boat would have. I imagine that it was made by an awning shop, I worked for one in college and they did a lot of boat covers there.

Interesting, I'd love to see a pic of that setup.

TexasJimmy · 06-26-2013, 05:43 PM

Nice ride. Good to see another clean Texas K5!
Posted via Mobile Device

RustyBucket · 06-26-2013, 10:26 PM

Hmm, big block, stick, 2wd Blazer... WHAT A CONCEPT!...

NEAT TOY
Set you a pm & asked about your engine build, which posi carrier, rear ratio.

griffiths · 06-29-2013, 05:53 PM

Beautiful truck. Great idea for storage. Is the top bolted to the frame? Is it a double wall top? Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

TexasK5 · 06-30-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

Interesting, I'd love to see a pic of that setup.

Alright, here you go. The top has been in the shed for a loooong time, so it's dusty and we weren't going to leave it on so it wasn't worth getting all cleaned up. The colors are off because of the fluorescent lights in the garage (in real life it's a medium/dark red, not pinkish purple). This should give you an idea of what it looks like and how it works.

skorpioskorpio · 07-01-2013, 07:20 AM

Interesting, not what I was expecting, it's kind of Model T'ish or WW2 Power wagon looking. I do like the concept though but maybe it needs to have more than one loop, although it does look as functional as most of the softtops on these trucks are. The more I see softtops on these trucks the more I think there needs to be some sort of top that has some rigid frame around the window as part of the top, like maybe a modified frame from a pickup door or something. I think this: soft+top+holes may be a step to making something like that.

docstheman · 07-01-2013, 10:26 AM

Slick storage idea Texask5. Beautiful Blazer. Maybe I will get to see it sometime. I am in DFW pretty often.

Rem701 · 12-26-2019, 11:15 AM

I was wondering if this method of storing the top still makes sense for you. I know it’s an old thread but I am finding myself in a situation where this would be a good solution for me. If anybody else is doing something like this your recommendations would be appreciated.

harrij4 · 01-17-2020, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rem701

I was wondering if this method of storing the top still makes sense for you. I know it’s an old thread but I am finding myself in a situation where this would be a good solution for me. If anybody else is doing something like this your recommendations would be appreciated.

Started a conversation in a different thread, but I'm looking to build a similar crating system, but to store on its side. Will need to bolt the side rails to some vertical posts, and support the roof so it doesn't skew. I'm still worked about it distorting over time.

TexasK5 · 01-03-2020, 12:36 PM

Wow, I got an e-mail on this and haven't logged in to this board for several years. The top is still stowed away as shown in the start of the thread. I haven't had any reason to put it back on, so there it sits (with many things piled around it).

06-02-2013, 03:19 PM	#1
TexasK5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 29	Top Stowed For The Summer I have owned my 72 blazer since 95 and through the years have used a few different methods to hoist the top for removal and stowed it a few different ways. In my current garage, suspending it from the ceiling would have blocked some lights and leaving it in the yard didn't seem like a good idea. So yesterday I crated it so it could be stood up on end and stored against the wall. It required two 2x8x10', two 2x4x10', fourteen 2x4x8'. Attached Images

06-02-2013, 04:17 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Very interesting solution. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

06-02-2013, 07:43 PM	#3
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,761	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Ok, clever solution to space saving.....but, now im interested in seeing what the rest of the truck looks like Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy your time here....lots of good info. __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

06-02-2013, 08:16 PM	#4
TexasK5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 29	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Thanks for the welcome - here's a pic Attached Images

06-02-2013, 08:26 PM	#5
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,761	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Thats slick, tonneau works also. Like the rear roll pan, wasnt sure what one would look like, now i know... Whats the engine look like? Sorry just had to ask Thanks for your time __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

06-02-2013, 08:39 PM	#6
TexasK5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 29	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Always glad to share photos. Engine is a 454 from a '73. Full roller bored .030 over. Attached Images

06-24-2013, 03:16 PM	#7
TexasK5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 29	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Yes, I believe the tonneau was custom made. It came with the Blazer when I bought it. There is also a soft top that goes with it that slides in a rail along the top of the windshield and zips to the front of the tonneau. The bedsides are attached with velcro. I have done a few iterations of supports, and the latest has pieces of angle behind the seats and above the tailgate so the tailgate can still open with the cover in place. The top gets supported by a tubular frame like a boat would have. I imagine that it was made by an awning shop, I worked for one in college and they did a lot of boat covers there.

06-26-2013, 05:43 PM	#9
TexasJimmy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Friendswood,Texas Posts: 238	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Nice ride. Good to see another clean Texas K5! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ "It is, what it is" K5 NV 71' Blazer CST 84' GMC Jimmy-SOLD 2008 Suburban LTZ

06-26-2013, 10:26 PM	#10
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Hmm, big block, stick, 2wd Blazer... WHAT A CONCEPT!... NEAT TOY Set you a pm & asked about your engine build, which posi carrier, rear ratio. Attached Images __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!

06-29-2013, 05:53 PM	#11
griffiths Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Lancaster ca Posts: 44	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Beautiful truck. Great idea for storage. Is the top bolted to the frame? Is it a double wall top? Thanks Posted via Mobile Device

07-01-2013, 07:20 AM	#13
skorpioskorpio Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,018	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Interesting, not what I was expecting, it's kind of Model T'ish or WW2 Power wagon looking. I do like the concept though but maybe it needs to have more than one loop, although it does look as functional as most of the softtops on these trucks are. The more I see softtops on these trucks the more I think there needs to be some sort of top that has some rigid frame around the window as part of the top, like maybe a modified frame from a pickup door or something. I think this: soft+top+holes may be a step to making something like that.

07-01-2013, 10:26 AM	#14
docstheman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 102	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Slick storage idea Texask5. Beautiful Blazer. Maybe I will get to see it sometime. I am in DFW pretty often. __________________ ~ It's a Learning Process ~ Click Here for my Blazer Build: 1971 Blazer 4x4 Click Here for my Work Truck Build: 1970 C10 LWB Toys: 1970 C10, 1971 Blazer 4x4, 1976 Corvette Stingray L82, 2011 Cadillac CTS 6 speed, 2008 VTX 1800F

12-26-2019, 11:15 AM	#15
Rem701 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Austin TX Posts: 70	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer I was wondering if this method of storing the top still makes sense for you. I know it’s an old thread but I am finding myself in a situation where this would be a good solution for me. If anybody else is doing something like this your recommendations would be appreciated.

01-03-2020, 12:36 PM	#17
TexasK5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 29	Re: Top Stowed For The Summer Wow, I got an e-mail on this and haven't logged in to this board for several years. The top is still stowed away as shown in the start of the thread. I haven't had any reason to put it back on, so there it sits (with many things piled around it).



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