Hardtop Shipping? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Critter · 04-23-2007, 11:58 PM

Maybe this has already been discussed somewhere? Every time I see a hardtop for sale, it says “pickup only”. It also says something like “located in (somewhere a hell of a long way from Texas)”. My question is if anyone has shipped a hardtop across the country, how they packaged or crated it, who was used, and how much it cost? I would really like to have one by next winter so I am trying to do as much research as possible. That way I can get one of those nice ones located in Oregon, or California, or Pennsylvania etc…

bouncytruck · 04-24-2007, 01:09 AM

My guess is that you could probably hire someone to do the repairs to a not-so-nice local top for less than getting one crated and shipped.

Critter · 04-24-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

My guess is that you could probably hire someone to do the repairs to a not-so-nice local top for less than getting one crated and shipped.

I have been asking around for someone with that tallent, I even thought about trying it myself. I just want to know what all my options are.

LUV2XCLR8 · 04-24-2007, 05:34 PM

How bad do you want one?

Critter · 04-24-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

How bad do you want one?

Well, right now, not THAT bad...but I might feel differently in October. (for the record, our "Winter" doesn't get going till about Thanksgiving

**pound41** · 04-24-2007, 07:46 PM

I found a boat guy who will repair 2 extra hatches that I have. Try the boat repair places

Jtrux · 04-24-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter

Well, right now, not THAT bad...but I might feel differently in October. (for the record, our "Winter" doesn't get going till about Thanksgiving

Find out how much it will cost you plus shipping and all that crating crap and i'll sell you mine for 20 bucks less...cuz i'm your friend.

Huck · 04-24-2007, 09:15 PM

Tops are heavy and take up a lot of room. Both single and double wall tops are pretty strong--weak points are the hatch (obviously) but I have seen many with chips out of the leading edge from prying up on the top to get it off not realizing that there are mounting bolts going through the visor brackets.
I have three extra tops available. You might want to just plan a road trip one weekend as there are several available within a good days drive.

Critter · 04-25-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtrux

Find out how much it will cost you plus shipping and all that crating crap and i'll sell you mine for 20 bucks less...cuz i'm your friend.

And then I will get a quote to repair your "sunroof" and I will deduct that amount from what I pay you, but not a pennie more! Cause I'm a good friend

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck

I have three extra tops available. You might want to just plan a road trip one weekend as there are several available within a good days drive.

Damn that's Tempting! Actually, I am in Lexington quite a bit for work, but I fly up there. Maybe I could take the Dodge next time and rent a uhaul or something...

bouncytruck · 04-25-2007, 11:12 AM

Bring a Pickup and some C clamps and clamp a top backwards on the bed rails - I've seen a couple pics on the board of guys doing this to haul tops around.

VinceY · 04-25-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

Bring a Pickup and some C clamps and clamp a top backwards on the bed rails - I've seen a couple pics on the board of guys doing this to haul tops around.

My single wall top came all the way from Louisianna to Alberta, Canada exactly like that.
They put about 4 boards across the box. Screwed the top to the boards and used clamps and a couple of bungies across the whole top to hold it in place.
Made it to me safe and sound after about 2500 miles.

1972 Banana · 04-27-2007, 01:17 AM

which top is better single wall or double wall?

Critter · 04-27-2007, 09:37 AM

That is a matter of opinion. Most people will probably say single wall because its lighter, it came with interior lights, and you can remove the top without having to take off the inner pannels to get to the bolts. Unless you are going for a show vehicle or something. In that case, the double wall tends to look a little better on the interior.

jcfoote60 · 04-27-2007, 07:51 PM

Single wall lighter is relative....both are heavy enough that it is really a two man job or a mechanical lifting setup. They are awkward to say the least so I think it's a matter of looks. I have to say I like the double wall interior look myself but have a choice between a single and double as I have both. The bedsides on my project blazer are drilled double wall so that's the easy route....but top down is nice because of the "leave the side panels in place" makes removing the top easier.......at some point down the road I will have either a double or single for sale......BUT that's a post for the parts board a year or more from now....

Critter I also like the look of the double better.....

1972 Banana · 05-03-2007, 10:48 PM

Does any one still make hard tops new for the blazers or is used the only way to go, It gets hot and muggy here in the carolinas and I am not sure how good my A/C will be with the soft top.

Critter · 05-03-2007, 11:05 PM

Sorry, no new ones being made. The only way to get a hardtop is to find an original one that came on a blazer. The aftermarket did make the half-tops for a while, but they stopped making those years ago.

bouncytruck · 05-03-2007, 11:19 PM

Do a search on Crazedlist.org. I searched the west coast in the parts section and saw about 4 for sale. Of course, most were in california where tops aren't needed as much, but you may find some in TX or a neighboring state.

RicksTrucks · 05-04-2007, 12:55 AM

I may have an extra one by this summer. Will let you know, if you don't find one.

*72CSTC5* · 05-04-2007, 02:01 AM

I have a double wall that I could sell that was given to me in trade for my single wall top. I am no longer running a top since I will be a roadster or there is one for sale in Houston's Craiglist right now for 200.00 dollars. Could help you ship maybe and meet half way if you pay for the fuel?

04-23-2007, 11:58 PM	#1
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Hardtop Shipping? Maybe this has already been discussed somewhere? Every time I see a hardtop for sale, it says “pickup only”. It also says something like “located in (somewhere a hell of a long way from Texas)”. My question is if anyone has shipped a hardtop across the country, how they packaged or crated it, who was used, and how much it cost? I would really like to have one by next winter so I am trying to do as much research as possible. That way I can get one of those nice ones located in Oregon, or California, or Pennsylvania etc… __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com Last edited by Critter; 04-23-2007 at 11:58 PM.

04-24-2007, 01:09 AM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Hardtop Shipping? My guess is that you could probably hire someone to do the repairs to a not-so-nice local top for less than getting one crated and shipped. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

04-24-2007, 05:34 PM	#4
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	Re: Hardtop Shipping? How bad do you want one? __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

04-24-2007, 07:46 PM	#6
pound41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,269	Re: Hardtop Shipping? I found a boat guy who will repair 2 extra hatches that I have. Try the boat repair places

04-24-2007, 09:15 PM	#8
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: Hardtop Shipping? Tops are heavy and take up a lot of room. Both single and double wall tops are pretty strong--weak points are the hatch (obviously) but I have seen many with chips out of the leading edge from prying up on the top to get it off not realizing that there are mounting bolts going through the visor brackets. I have three extra tops available. You might want to just plan a road trip one weekend as there are several available within a good days drive.

04-25-2007, 11:12 AM	#10
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Hardtop Shipping? Bring a Pickup and some C clamps and clamp a top backwards on the bed rails - I've seen a couple pics on the board of guys doing this to haul tops around. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

04-27-2007, 01:17 AM	#12
1972 Banana Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Moncks Corner SC Posts: 118	Re: Hardtop Shipping? which top is better single wall or double wall? Last edited by 1972 Banana; 04-27-2007 at 01:18 AM. Reason: spelling

04-27-2007, 09:37 AM	#13
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Re: Hardtop Shipping? That is a matter of opinion. Most people will probably say single wall because its lighter, it came with interior lights, and you can remove the top without having to take off the inner pannels to get to the bolts. Unless you are going for a show vehicle or something. In that case, the double wall tends to look a little better on the interior. __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com

04-27-2007, 07:51 PM	#14
jcfoote60 Active Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 263	Re: Hardtop Shipping? Single wall lighter is relative....both are heavy enough that it is really a two man job or a mechanical lifting setup. They are awkward to say the least so I think it's a matter of looks. I have to say I like the double wall interior look myself but have a choice between a single and double as I have both. The bedsides on my project blazer are drilled double wall so that's the easy route....but top down is nice because of the "leave the side panels in place" makes removing the top easier.......at some point down the road I will have either a double or single for sale......BUT that's a post for the parts board a year or more from now.... Critter I also like the look of the double better.....

05-03-2007, 10:48 PM	#15
1972 Banana Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Moncks Corner SC Posts: 118	Re: Hardtop Shipping? Does any one still make hard tops new for the blazers or is used the only way to go, It gets hot and muggy here in the carolinas and I am not sure how good my A/C will be with the soft top.

05-03-2007, 11:05 PM	#16
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Re: Hardtop Shipping? Sorry, no new ones being made. The only way to get a hardtop is to find an original one that came on a blazer. The aftermarket did make the half-tops for a while, but they stopped making those years ago. __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com

05-03-2007, 11:19 PM	#17
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Hardtop Shipping? Do a search on Crazedlist.org. I searched the west coast in the parts section and saw about 4 for sale. Of course, most were in california where tops aren't needed as much, but you may find some in TX or a neighboring state. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

05-04-2007, 12:55 AM	#18
RicksTrucks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Claremore, OK 74017 Posts: 2,640	Re: Hardtop Shipping? I may have an extra one by this summer. Will let you know, if you don't find one. __________________ 68 Short Stepside C-10 69 SWB C-10 70 Flatbed C-20 70 LWB C-20 BB402 70 LWB C-10 CST 70 LWB C-10 CST 71 Short Stepside Cheyenne C-10 72 LWB C-10 72 Blazer 4x4 4spd 95 Jeep Cherokee 4x4

05-04-2007, 02:01 AM	#19
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,524	Re: Hardtop Shipping? I have a double wall that I could sell that was given to me in trade for my single wall top. I am no longer running a top since I will be a roadster or there is one for sale in Houston's Craiglist right now for 200.00 dollars. Could help you ship maybe and meet half way if you pay for the fuel?



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