I have a theory... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Critter · 05-28-2008, 04:53 AM

I have been thinking about this for a few months and I wanted to bounce it off the powers-that-be here on the board. It seams like elsewhere in the country people are tripping over good hardtops. Some people stack up single walls and let their kids use them like a jungle gym while others are so tired of double walls piling up that they are putting them in the wood chipper.

On the flipside some states have a good number of rust free tubs laying around, these people shudder at the idea of fixing floor pans and doorsills and say things like “why don’t you just go get a nice tub and swap everything out?” Yeah right?!?!

It has come to me that rarely do these two hard to find parts coexist. In the Northwest, most body parts look like Swiss cheese but they have all the tops. In the Southwest, you have the nice tubs but the tops/hatches have long since rotted away. Is this a coincidence? It seams that in areas of high humidity you have lots of rust, but the fiberglass stays fairly moisturized. On the other side of the map it is the opposite. Tubs stay in one piece, but the tops crack and disintegrate like a saltine cracker. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? Am I looney? Is this common knowledge and I am just a little slow in the head?

AJs72K5 · 05-28-2008, 06:29 AM

It almost makes sense. But, I think you've pondered this entirely too much.

bouncytruck · 05-28-2008, 06:30 AM

In addition to your top decay theory, I think over the years good tops have been ditched because they weren't needed as much in sunny parts of the country. In the damp areas, the hard tops were kept on/with the trucks more often, and without the harsh sun, they've outlasted the rust prone steel.

70rs/ss · 05-28-2008, 07:30 AM

I have both except not single walls! Rust free or nearly rust free and the tops, but to add to your ponderings, how do we get the said rust free tubs into the hands of the swiss cheese owners and the tops to those exposing themselves

!? I'd love to help broker deals to those on the right coast but seams as though miles and $$$ seperate nearly all of us.

Critter · 05-28-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

I have both except not single walls! Rust free or nearly rust free and the tops, but to add to your ponderings, how do we get the said rust free tubs into the hands of the swiss cheese owners and the tops to those exposing themselves

!? I'd love to help broker deals to those on the right coast but seams as though miles and $$$ seperate nearly all of us.

In my part of TX, we have neither! I have never seen a truck, let alone blazer that is TOTALLY rust free. They always have at least a few spots here and there. But they usually aren't that bad, no salt on the roads or anything like that. As far as tops, they aren't easy to come by either. I snatched up the first decent one I found locally (double wall) and found a hatch on Craigslist and had it shipped in. I agree about getting something started to move these parts coast to coast. I'm sure everyone would appreciate it, but diesel for trucking is killing EVERYONE!

70rs/ss · 05-28-2008, 06:01 PM

I have been paying well into the $4.50-75 range and just saw $5/gallon yesterday on diesel. I have been joking about doing the Bio-diesel thing in the garage, now it seems as though I will have to do it in order to keep driving the Cummins!!

Jtrux · 05-28-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJs72K5

It almost makes sense. But, I think you've pondered this entirely too much.

No kidding, he's mentioned it to me several times. I think he has a good point though.

LUV2XCLR8 · 05-29-2008, 09:25 PM

I have/Had Tops, but need a Tub or Rear Floor (Location always messes everything up)

Critter · 05-29-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

I have/Had Tops, but need a Tub or Rear Floor (Location always messes everything up)

That’s exactly my point! See here where Tennessee is entirely blue, that’s your problem. Blue = rust, Red = cracked tops. Apparently, Yellow = “Worst of both worlds” cause here in the San Antonio area we have trouble finding either that is in great shape.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJs72K5

It almost makes sense. But, I think you've pondered this entirely too much.

...and yes, I have a real hard time keeping focused on important things. Crap like this ALWAYS pushes its way into my brain and consumes my simple little mind!

67_C-30 · 05-31-2008, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter

...and yes, I have a real hard time keeping focused on important things. Crap like this ALWAYS pushes its way into my brain and consumes my simple little mind!

I feel your pain on this. If only I could Ctrl+Alt+Delete about the half the useless info in my brain (for example I know a '66 High performance Chrysler 273 LA engine has 275 HP - I mean, what the he77, why do I know that!?!) I'd be alright. How do you defrag your cranium?

I'm convinced I have adult ADD.

But anyway...

Hmm, I wonder what's new on youtube?

Huck · 05-31-2008, 03:10 PM

AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS EXACTLY WHY GOD HELPED MAN CREATE BEER !!! Try a few. It helps clear the brain and put unimportant things like your wife's wining ie---come look at these flowers, we need to paint the kitchen, let's get new tile in the bathroom, etc. etc.
BEER, IT'S WHAT FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER!!!! CLEAR THE BRAIN FOOD!!!! Huck

05-28-2008, 04:53 AM	#1
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	I have a theory... I have been thinking about this for a few months and I wanted to bounce it off the powers-that-be here on the board. It seams like elsewhere in the country people are tripping over good hardtops. Some people stack up single walls and let their kids use them like a jungle gym while others are so tired of double walls piling up that they are putting them in the wood chipper. On the flipside some states have a good number of rust free tubs laying around, these people shudder at the idea of fixing floor pans and doorsills and say things like “why don’t you just go get a nice tub and swap everything out?” Yeah right?!?! It has come to me that rarely do these two hard to find parts coexist. In the Northwest, most body parts look like Swiss cheese but they have all the tops. In the Southwest, you have the nice tubs but the tops/hatches have long since rotted away. Is this a coincidence? It seams that in areas of high humidity you have lots of rust, but the fiberglass stays fairly moisturized. On the other side of the map it is the opposite. Tubs stay in one piece, but the tops crack and disintegrate like a saltine cracker. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? Am I looney? Is this common knowledge and I am just a little slow in the head? __________________ 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

05-28-2008, 06:29 AM	#2
AJs72K5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Tx Posts: 1,083	Re: I have a theory... It almost makes sense. But, I think you've pondered this entirely too much. __________________ - AJ Gray Matter Build - 1972 K5 with some stuff

05-28-2008, 06:30 AM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: I have a theory... In addition to your top decay theory, I think over the years good tops have been ditched because they weren't needed as much in sunny parts of the country. In the damp areas, the hard tops were kept on/with the trucks more often, and without the harsh sun, they've outlasted the rust prone steel. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

05-28-2008, 07:30 AM	#4
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: I have a theory... I have both except not single walls! Rust free or nearly rust free and the tops, but to add to your ponderings, how do we get the said rust free tubs into the hands of the swiss cheese owners and the tops to those exposing themselves !? I'd love to help broker deals to those on the right coast but seams as though miles and $$$ seperate nearly all of us.

05-28-2008, 06:01 PM	#6
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: I have a theory... I have been paying well into the $4.50-75 range and just saw $5/gallon yesterday on diesel. I have been joking about doing the Bio-diesel thing in the garage, now it seems as though I will have to do it in order to keep driving the Cummins!!

05-29-2008, 09:25 PM	#8
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,477	Re: I have a theory... I have/Had Tops, but need a Tub or Rear Floor (Location always messes everything up) __________________ 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

05-31-2008, 03:10 PM	#11
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: I have a theory... AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS EXACTLY WHY GOD HELPED MAN CREATE BEER !!! Try a few. It helps clear the brain and put unimportant things like your wife's wining ie---come look at these flowers, we need to paint the kitchen, let's get new tile in the bathroom, etc. etc. BEER, IT'S WHAT FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER!!!! CLEAR THE BRAIN FOOD!!!! Huck



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