Single wall on a double wall bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jcfoote60 · 05-30-2007, 07:51 PM

OK so all of you creative geniuses, I am thinking about using my single wall top on my 69 blazer and as we all know it was a double wall bottom up bolt truck. How many of you have changed to single wall and what creative fabbing have you done to replicate the top down (slide nut) mounting that single walls require?

Pics would be great too, I appreciate any advice on this!!

**jaros44sr** · 05-30-2007, 08:19 PM

I don't think replicating the existing system would be that difficult, it's basically nothing more than a cage nut.

If you knew exactly where your mounting holes were to locate, you wouldn't have to make a slot and a moveable threaded rectangle. Guess you would have to bolt it to the windshield first, then bolt the sides down. Even if you decide to use the original system it wouldn't be that hard. They are just spot welded in place.

If you still need pics. let me know as my top, which is a '72, is off, and I should be able to accommadate you... J.

jcfoote60 · 05-30-2007, 08:49 PM

well that's what I'm a little bit concerned about, the original GM engineers made that sliding nut deal and I can only think that because our trucks are true convertabiles that although they have solid windshield mounts for the tops that because of body mount wear and sags, that the sliding nut thing was slop for compensation....?? What do you think?

**jaros44sr** · 05-31-2007, 06:12 AM

Well, that may be true, not sure....The threaded rectangle would be the easy part, the cage has tabs that contain the 'nut', and then the ends tabs have a dbl 90 bend. Not hard to make, but the slot in the cage could take awhile....

Maybe it would be easier to find a junk Jimmy, if there is such a thing.

After rethinking it, I suppose you could make a blank/slot nut, put that in the cage upside down, so the tabs are supported by the vise. Then just drill 4 holes and clean it up with an end mill. Should work, any ideas.... J.

LUV2XCLR8 · 05-31-2007, 02:28 PM

Just set it up there, bolt it at the front and rear, and be done with it.

Merlot's was like that from SD to TN with no issues, so once I got it
here I choose not to even put the other bolts in. Makes it easier to
get it back off also, 4 bolts total and whala, shes topless

VinceY · 05-31-2007, 02:36 PM

I was missing a couple of "slide nuts" on my blazer. The brackets that held the nuts were still there but needed one side of the bracket retacked. I just took a bit of flat bar, drilled and threaded the hole to size and retacked the brackets after the new flatbar slide nut was in place. Works great.
Bit of flatbar and some bracket fabrication and you are in business. Fabbing up brackets should be easy enough if someone posted good pics. Mine are covered so I will not be able to.

**jamie72** · 05-31-2007, 03:33 PM

not that it helps, but i`m parting a jimmy that came from the fatory with both sets of bolt holes, already installed,how common is that??

LUV2XCLR8 · 05-31-2007, 04:51 PM

Jamie,

Is it a 72? I have heard some of them are like that, "GQ" is set-up for either

Craig

**jaros44sr** · 05-31-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamie72

not that it helps, but i`m parting a jimmy that came from the fatory with both sets of bolt holes, already installed,how common is that??

I thought some one out there would speak up... J.

**jamie72** · 05-31-2007, 05:24 PM

yes 72 jimmy

k-nuts · 06-01-2007, 12:47 AM

What about weld nuts under the bedrail and slot the fiberglass top a bit. Washers on the bolts would hide the slot and hold it tight. Seems easier that repro-ing the moveable cage nuts. Mine has holes for the double and I got it with a single. It too was only bolted at the windshield and the back. It squeaked like crazy driving it home. Been topless ever since. (in my garage waiting in line for resto)

05-30-2007, 07:51 PM	#1
jcfoote60 Active Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 263	Single wall on a double wall bed OK so all of you creative geniuses, I am thinking about using my single wall top on my 69 blazer and as we all know it was a double wall bottom up bolt truck. How many of you have changed to single wall and what creative fabbing have you done to replicate the top down (slide nut) mounting that single walls require? Pics would be great too, I appreciate any advice on this!!

05-30-2007, 08:19 PM	#2
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,590	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed I don't think replicating the existing system would be that difficult, it's basically nothing more than a cage nut. If you knew exactly where your mounting holes were to locate, you wouldn't have to make a slot and a moveable threaded rectangle. Guess you would have to bolt it to the windshield first, then bolt the sides down. Even if you decide to use the original system it wouldn't be that hard. They are just spot welded in place. If you still need pics. let me know as my top, which is a '72, is off, and I should be able to accommadate you... J. __________________ 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 Last edited by jaros44sr; 05-30-2007 at 08:21 PM.

05-30-2007, 08:49 PM	#3
jcfoote60 Active Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 263	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed well that's what I'm a little bit concerned about, the original GM engineers made that sliding nut deal and I can only think that because our trucks are true convertabiles that although they have solid windshield mounts for the tops that because of body mount wear and sags, that the sliding nut thing was slop for compensation....?? What do you think?

05-31-2007, 06:12 AM	#4
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,590	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed Well, that may be true, not sure....The threaded rectangle would be the easy part, the cage has tabs that contain the 'nut', and then the ends tabs have a dbl 90 bend. Not hard to make, but the slot in the cage could take awhile.... Maybe it would be easier to find a junk Jimmy, if there is such a thing. After rethinking it, I suppose you could make a blank/slot nut, put that in the cage upside down, so the tabs are supported by the vise. Then just drill 4 holes and clean it up with an end mill. Should work, any ideas.... J. __________________ 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 Last edited by jaros44sr; 05-31-2007 at 06:26 AM.

05-31-2007, 02:28 PM	#5
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,480	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed Just set it up there, bolt it at the front and rear, and be done with it. Merlot's was like that from SD to TN with no issues, so once I got it here I choose not to even put the other bolts in. Makes it easier to get it back off also, 4 bolts total and whala, shes topless __________________ 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

05-31-2007, 02:36 PM	#6
VinceY Just need a couple more parts. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 470	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed I was missing a couple of "slide nuts" on my blazer. The brackets that held the nuts were still there but needed one side of the bracket retacked. I just took a bit of flat bar, drilled and threaded the hole to size and retacked the brackets after the new flatbar slide nut was in place. Works great. Bit of flatbar and some bracket fabrication and you are in business. Fabbing up brackets should be easy enough if someone posted good pics. Mine are covered so I will not be able to. __________________ --------------------------------------------------- 1947 Studebaker M5 project to match the camping trailer. 1950 Chev 4x4 Pickup 1958 Shasta Airflyte Travel trailer (fresh restoration) 1971 C/10 Pickup(Frame off Restoration) 1972 K5 Blazer CST (Daily Driver & My Company Truck) 1976 Honda CB750 Bobber 1988 Jaguar XJ12

05-31-2007, 03:33 PM	#7
jamie72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: madison indiana Posts: 3,839	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed not that it helps, but i`m parting a jimmy that came from the fatory with both sets of bolt holes, already installed,how common is that?? __________________ jamie72 72 BB cheyenne -- Restoration getting started.. member #807 http://www.myspace.com/whitetailobsession www.antlertalk.com

05-31-2007, 04:51 PM	#8
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,480	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed Jamie, Is it a 72? I have heard some of them are like that, "GQ" is set-up for either Craig __________________ 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

05-31-2007, 05:24 PM	#10
jamie72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: madison indiana Posts: 3,839	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed yes 72 jimmy __________________ jamie72 72 BB cheyenne -- Restoration getting started.. member #807 http://www.myspace.com/whitetailobsession www.antlertalk.com

06-01-2007, 12:47 AM	#11
k-nuts Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TX Posts: 252	Re: Single wall on a double wall bed What about weld nuts under the bedrail and slot the fiberglass top a bit. Washers on the bolts would hide the slot and hold it tight. Seems easier that repro-ing the moveable cage nuts. Mine has holes for the double and I got it with a single. It too was only bolted at the windshield and the back. It squeaked like crazy driving it home. Been topless ever since. (in my garage waiting in line for resto)



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