Blazer retractable convertible top

[Thealien]

very nice. Patiently waiting the completion!

[zammer]

O.K finally my rendering made in microsoft paint LOL... This is my interputation of simulated fabric for now

So i'm in between what to do with the side windows now.

Should I :

- just a blank black side with no windows like a panel truck
- have the full window opening using a plastic window
- have the side with a small window but mostly with fabric..

[kvn1011]

i like the last one the best, but i think matching the angle of the rear window with the angle of the hatch would look good either way it should come out awesome!
i added a few lines to kinda illustrate my idea

[Effeckt]

Originally Posted by kvn1011

i like the last one the best, but i think matching the angle of the rear window with the angle of the hatch would look good either way it should come out awesome!
i added a few lines to kinda illustrate my idea

I agree. This is the winner in my book as well. Although I think there will need to be some sort of separation most likely between the glass from the door and the rear window in the top. Fantastic project though! I'm loving this and have wanted to do this to mine for a long time.

[kvn1011]

not really a hatch but i didnt know what to call it lol

[1lo67]

Man that's a great idea you got going on there i had thoughts of doing something like that to my old 72 Roadster before i let it go. very nice... one of a kind for sure looking forward to more progress.

[PHAT TONY]

I think part of the decision involves how the top sides attach to the quarter tops. A side window of any sort would be the coolest looking; it'd be nice to have the window removable/retractable with the top up.

[cvalcore]

i think you kids would proubly like a window. but thats a tought one i think the second looks good.

[zammer]

Yeah I was thinking about the removable window idea, that would be pretty cool. Have the last pic top with removable windows that either button up to the top sides and the bedsides OR have some sort of latches to secure them. I think the easiest way would be to have the blank sides but thats not what i would like to do. I agree that the kids would like to have a side window too when the top is up... I would be surprised if the top is up more then 20% of the time but that all depends on when the snow decides to leave up here...

[chevy2racr]

just a thought, Burb front door windows might help you out with this project. or if you have new ones cut have them cut square on the back corner....

[kvn1011]

i agree with the blazer window, possibly electric if theres room
just an idea, you can have the orange vent connected to a regular window to roll up as one unit((assuming there is enough room/clearance,
or have that vent on a pivot ((see pic --> red with yellow dot for pivot point with an actuater electric??

[blazin]

awesome idea zammer.. sounds like you have lots of guys helping you with ideas. if you ever need someone to drink a beer with while your working... give me a call. im in your neck of the woods. i wouldnt mind coming to have a look at it and see how it will work. i got a price from wayne's upholstery to make me a custom top, nothing to fancy.. .. but the price was 2500 bucks. using boat canvis.. i saw a picture of a half top he did on a 72 blazr and it looked ok. i dont like the half tops though.

[zammer]

Thanks guys for the ideas and compliments.... its keeps me motivated... The project has definatly been fun but at times ( a couple ) i found myself wondering what the hell i took on here.. That usually happens when i guy needs a brake from doing 105 measurements in an afternoon and it seems like you are where you started earlier. Thats how a guy learns i guess and what makes it a good challenge.

I really like the roll up window idea, I thought of that also but i seemed like it would be hard to get a wondow to go all the way down with having the rear tubs in the way... I'll look into what window options there are and the burb window idea too.
Tomorrow I am going to the local princess auto ( you canada guys know how sweet that store is for us up North here ) and look at some air cylinder options and where I will have to anchor them - which will give me a better idea of if i can fit a side window or not as the cylinder will be mounted on the front side of the wheel tub too..

[zammer]

Heres what i was thinking for air cylinder mounting and maybe where the side windows can fit..

[brian26]

If you choose electric for your ram, I'd suggest micro-limit switches to stop the current when the cycle is done.

Get that down, and then think 'remote control'.

[zammer]

I picked up some air cylinders with a 2.5" diameter and they should be good for 500 pounds of force each @ 100 PSI which should be more then adequate..
Now the only problem is I got them to fit pretty close but the required stroke length from full open to fully closed is around 6.8 - 7 Inches...
The cylinder i got has a 7.8" stroke - about an inch too much...
So what is the easiest way to reduce the stroke to what i need?
One way i have read that i can do it is by shortening the cylinder wall so the piston won't stroke as far... that seems like lots of work.
The other option i was thinking about is using some sort of stopper so when the top is at it's required retracted position - which also would be the retracted position on the cylinder, it would restrict the cylinder from closing that extra inch which would put strain on the top rack frame to try and get it to close more....
Any other ideas how to reduce the stroke?

[zammer]

This is the exact cylinder.... It has support stays on the sides that can be un-bolted pretty easily but its the part on cutting the cylinder that makes me wonder how the hell i could make a clean cut to get the cylinder to seat proper and not leak after I chop it up..

[orangek5]

I think its time for an update.

[Effeckt]

Originally Posted by orangek5

I think its time for an update.

I agree! I want to see more of this project.

[zammer]

It is time for an update!
I can't believe its been 2 1/2 months already since the last post..
O.K .... I'll get some pics and I actually have the top fully extending and retracting on its own now with the air cylinders.... works pretty sweet.
I want to get a video on Youtube so you guys can see what it looks like in motion,, give me a day or 2 and I'll see what I can do

Kris

[VA72C10]

cool...can't wait for the video!!!

[kvn1011]

Did u have to cut the cylinder at all?
Posted via Mobile Device

[zammer]

I decided to not cut the cylinder and just modify the top rack ram pivot out further so the stroke would be longer & at the same time it would give more leverage to get the top out of its retracted position from behind the rear seat.
To give you an idea of the force needed, these cylinders are pushing about 700 lbs EACH around 100 psi supply pressure. I changed the cylinders out once to larger ones as the first set i tried didn't have quite enough force . The first cylinder i put in was a 63 x 150 mm ( 2.5" diameter, which was good for 490 lbs @ 100 psi ) and the second one which worked good was a 82x150 mm (3.2" diameter)

I also put in a tension spring on the opposite side of each cylinder to assist them to open, and to resist the frame when its going down towards the windshield.. The spring is set up so it will be completely hidden and it just adds a nicer flow to when the top is going up and down..

[zammer]

O.K... after 4-5 hours of video recording, charging batteries, downloading and learning how to use YouTube and registering .... I think i have something for the showing... but first here are a couple pics of the Cylinders and mounting locations I ended up with including the window set-up for the rear sides which is another huge project on its own to get them to fit and work properly.. I'm working at a leisure pace which makes this fun as its supposed to be..

[zammer]

The YouTube video is done processing..... here we go

I had my just 3 year old daughter do some background singing for us .

YouTube - Retractable blazer top 1971 2wd

The title is "retractable blazer top" if the link dosen't work for anyone..

Kris