blazer tops 101 ???

[billyecapps]

When I purchased my 72 it had a ragged out canvas top. It appears to have came from the factory with single wall top based on the encapsulated nuts, but the rag top base did not use the single wall holes. I assume new holes were drilled for the rag top. I have bought a double wall top and it appears that the holes drilled for the rag top are very very close to what will be required for the double wall top my questions are (1) Is there any chance the holes will line up? (2) Does anyone know if a templete to drill the double wall holes is available and if so, where can I obtain/purchase one.

Thanks,
Bill

[jaros44sr]

72s had both bolt holes, single wall and double wall, along the top of bed. I can measure mine if you need


Holy Crap old post

[turp mcspray]

Right now I have two 72 blazers. One has single wall, one has double wall. Both are CST. I also have two more tubs, both 72. One of them has both sets of bolt holes. They appear to be factory as they are all STAMPED holes and not drilled.
I have a theory on double vs. single wall. 73 up blazers were of the single wall style. I think it could be that they changed from the double to single wall design later in the year. GM has done lots of midyear changes in the past. I will check the build dates of all my blazers and see if the dates and top style fits in with this theory.

[mcampbell]

my small contribution.......

A friend of mine told me the double wall tops were made from a material GM called SMC (sheet molded compound). His theory was the SMC was first generation fiberglass and when better compounds were available they dropped SMC.
My 72 Jimmy 4X4 had a single wall top all smoothed and painted body color. My 72 blazer 2wd had a double wall top (SMC) when I bought it used. It ruined my theory about early double walls and later single walls. Because it was a low rider I wanted to get rid of the visable water puddles on top where the SMC sags. Found a single wall with no hatch in the junkyard off a wreck of unknown year. Had to drill new holes in the bed rails to install it on the 72. Ruined the theory of extra bed rail mount holes. The single wall needed fiberglass repair for a big roof vent hole, the top was about 3/16 to 1/4" thick. While grinding for the repair the material looked like fiberglass/plastic. It didn't seem to have any glass strands to strengthen it. When I cut the remains of my double wall up it was not even 1/8" thick on inner and outer layers. Wished I had saved the front lip to use for a bikini top front mount but all the steel mounts were rusted through in the old top.
Used the old hatch on the single wall and the hinges bolted right up but I didn't use the struts.

[wheatlysk5]

Argonuat they get there names because the double wall is two different sides with a seem in the middle that holds them together were the single wall is all one seam.