Blazer Tops question

[eedgell]

Hey guys, I have a question about the tops. I am thinking serious about getting a Blazer for family fun in summer, but I would want to remove the top alot. In Colorado the weather changes every 5 min. So leaving the top of would not work. My question is will the top start to leak or will it cause problems to the top if removed and replaced often? Also how hard is it to remove/replace the top?

[1969k10stepside]

I dont think the factory hard top is something you want to remove and put on daily or weekly with the weight unless you have a hoist,etc to raise and lower it easy or have some buddies that dont mind helping you lift the top off.

[bouncytruck]

They aren't a quick on-off type of top. However, you can get a soft-top. Although our weather isn't as volatile as it is in Denver, we tend to get fairly sudden changes as well. I run my soft top during the summer and the hard top during the winter. Unfortunately, one of the two companies that makes tops for the first generation blazer, Specialty Top Co (STC), recently went out of business leaving only one option, the Bestop Tigertop. I've scene used STC ops, but they tend to get snatched up quickly now. There are pics of my truck with the STC top in my signature link.

[eedgell]

I understand, but how good are the seals on the top? Are they prone to leak?

[bouncytruck]

It mostly depends on how well you get the top positioned on the truck. Overall, they do tend to leak a little. This last winter, mine only leaked in the hardest rain. I do need to replace my body mounts so that may help with the leaks a bit too. All my seals were brand new last year.

[RED72blazer]

I can take mine off with one other person. Takes about 15 minutes.

If your seals are in really good shape it should be okay.

I find that the best way to get the top to seal is to loosely install all the bolts than take it around the block. so the top settles, than tighten everything. Don't get lazy and leave the side rail bolts out. that's where I get most of my water leakage.

[hyde]

You vaseline the seals and they will never stick or tear...IT will always come off smooth..

[bouncytruck]

Originally Posted by hyde

You vaseline the seals and they will never stick or tear...IT will always come off smooth..

That's a great tip. I've never heard of that. I'm gonna try that when I put the top back on this fall.

[Mike C]

Also, if you have the choice, the single wall hard top install with bolts from the top. THe double wall with bolts from the bottom. And over time they stick, strip, etc. You have to remove the side panels to get the top off as well.

I love my STC top. I got it the month before they shut down. Missed it by that much!

[eedgell]

Sound to me like for a fun summer truck I will need to just park it inside and leave the top off untill winter. Then put the top back on.

[Thealien]

or go the soft top route. I just got a best top soft top from performance center for $659.95 shipped. I am going to find a way to install something so I don't have to install snaps in my tailgate or windshield frame. I have a couple of ideas already.

[bouncytruck]

Go with a soft top. They make life a lot easier. You can run safari style if the weather looks like it is gonna turn on you quickly or put the whole top down on the clear days.

[Brighton 72]

Hey eedgell,

I'm from the Denver area and I pretty much keep my soft top year round. It can get a little cold in the winter though. It's a good thing these trucks have a good heater

Currently, my Blazer is in pieces being restored. I sprayed the interior with a bedliner material so I don't have to worry too much about a little water.

Get a Blazer and worry about the little stuff later

Seriously though, if you have a softtop and a garage you won't need the hardtop unless it's a daily driver. It takes 2 strong people to remove the top. There are a few hoist plans available if you must remove it by yourself.

Later,

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Those double way tops with the hatch are pretty heavy....

[LUV2XCLR8]