Another Half Cab Thread... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FoxHound · 12-20-2011, 05:07 AM

Hey y'all, I've been on here for a couple years now but I don't post too often, but I've been looking into getting a half top for my 72 k/5....

I know this is a pretty common topic and there are a few threads on here and other site forums, but I'm just tryin to get all the info I can. Basically I want to have options...I love the topless ride and the full top, but sometimes I need a pickup. I know it's damn near impossible to buy a half top --new or used-- for a decent price, so I'm more interested in building one from a donor cab off a truck (I'm always checking craigslist though for deals). I'm pretty handy with metal fab and I know it can be done, but any pics/advice would be great.

Also, interior pics of a half cab would be great if anyone has any, I'm pretty tall and I need all the leg room I can get, so I need to get an idea of what kind of room is in there before I go diggin into this project. Thanks.

jaros44sr · 12-20-2011, 02:48 PM

Ive got one on my jimmy, so i shold be able to help.....

Im 6'1" and i have plnty of room
I think the mounting to the windshield would be the most critical part, probably have to use a weldnut or sheetmetal blindnut to pull it off

So thatbeing said, what areas do you need pics of to get started?

low'n slow · 12-20-2011, 11:42 PM

I've got the top off a 70 GMC you can have for carting it off. Too bad your in Cali.

FoxHound · 12-21-2011, 04:14 AM

jaros: if you could post up pics of the interior (especially the rear, behind the seats), some close-ups of the backside (like where it mounts to the bedrails) and where it mounts to the windshield frame, that would be great. Thanks

low'n slow: yeah Cali's pretty far from you...i appreciate the offer though...that's a full top you're tryin to get rid of?

mustardjimmy71 · 12-21-2011, 03:59 PM

imo, the best way to make your own half top would be to cut down an old blazer top. The windshield frame is allready figured out for you. Theres half the battle right there.
Then you could cut out the hatch glass frame for a back window and keep the tailgate seal. Or make it a half cab with a hatch.

jaros44sr · 12-21-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxHound

jaros: if you could post up pics of the interior (especially the rear, behind the seats), some close-ups of the backside (like where it mounts to the bedrails) and where it mounts to the windshield frame, that would be great. Thanks

low'n slow: yeah Cali's pretty far from you...i appreciate the offer though...that's a full top you're tryin to get rid of?

If you want i could send you the forward 6" of a hardtop, might be better to see what it is that you want to build

I need it back though, as that part is what i need to use for a convertible top.....not now, but some time in the future

Ill try to get some pics up, will be busy with family for the next week, but i might be able to squeeze it in

low'n slow · 12-21-2011, 09:27 PM

Yes, it is a full top. LMK if you want part of it.

FoxHound · 12-23-2011, 01:44 AM

mustardjimmy71: I thought about doing that, but I just couldn't bring myself to cut up a perfectly good full top...if I could find one that was in pretty bad shape I'd definitely try that though.

jaros: thank you but I actually have a full hard top sitting in my backyard I can reference, I was hoping to restore that as well as have a half top on hand, just in case I wanna switch over to SUV mode again haha. That's the great thing about our trucks, they're totally versatile. Just takes a lot of effort! Take your time on the pics, I'm in no hurry. thanks for your help.

low'n slow: thank you, I'll let you know if I can use any of it...but if someone else wants it, don't hang onto it for me lol...i'm still debating on wether or not i have the time and budget for this, i'm just getting info on it for now

mcmlxix · 12-23-2011, 02:18 AM

Im in for any pictures of a metal half cab roof ....

mustardjimmy71 · 12-23-2011, 06:28 AM

the thing i would like a half cab for is the heat in the winter. probably 1/3 the cubic feet

jaros44sr · 12-23-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustardjimmy71

the thing i would like a half cab for is the heat in the winter. probably 1/3 the cubic feet

That was my thinking exactly, these old heaters cant work all that well. Could they?

mcmlxix · 07-07-2012, 02:51 AM

Bump... Anyone ever make anything work? Find any pictures?

jaros44sr · 07-07-2012, 10:11 PM

Looks like i dropped the ball on this one....foxhound still needs pics?

FoxHound · 07-08-2012, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Looks like i dropped the ball on this one....foxhound still needs pics?

No thank you sir, I decided to save up for a pickup instead and just enjoy what I have with the k5...since my last post here I restored my full top and bolted it on and decided I'll probly not take it off again anytime soon because of how much the body flexed with it off, it was a real pain to get back on. i'll mostly use it for jeep trails and hunting and what not anyway...thank you though.

jjzepplin · 07-08-2012, 08:50 AM

My top is toast so I checked the net. I found a site (cant remember where) but a lot of these blazers were made into short pickups with metal tops...Looked cool and I think I will go that route. Gotta fix some rust anyway.
It looked like they just cut off the top section of another truck.
I bet this could be made to be removable ???

12-20-2011, 05:07 AM	#1
FoxHound Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 111	Another Half Cab Thread... Hey y'all, I've been on here for a couple years now but I don't post too often, but I've been looking into getting a half top for my 72 k/5.... I know this is a pretty common topic and there are a few threads on here and other site forums, but I'm just tryin to get all the info I can. Basically I want to have options...I love the topless ride and the full top, but sometimes I need a pickup. I know it's damn near impossible to buy a half top --new or used-- for a decent price, so I'm more interested in building one from a donor cab off a truck (I'm always checking craigslist though for deals). I'm pretty handy with metal fab and I know it can be done, but any pics/advice would be great. Also, interior pics of a half cab would be great if anyone has any, I'm pretty tall and I need all the leg room I can get, so I need to get an idea of what kind of room is in there before I go diggin into this project. Thanks. __________________ 1972 k/5 Blazer 350V8/TH350/NP205 "The Ox"

12-20-2011, 02:48 PM	#2
jaros44sr Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,463	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... Ive got one on my jimmy, so i shold be able to help..... Im 6'1" and i have plnty of room I think the mounting to the windshield would be the most critical part, probably have to use a weldnut or sheetmetal blindnut to pull it off So thatbeing said, what areas do you need pics of to get started? __________________ 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

12-20-2011, 11:42 PM	#3
low'n slow Too Dumb To Know Better Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 882	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... I've got the top off a 70 GMC you can have for carting it off. Too bad your in Cali.

12-21-2011, 04:14 AM	#4
FoxHound Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 111	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... jaros: if you could post up pics of the interior (especially the rear, behind the seats), some close-ups of the backside (like where it mounts to the bedrails) and where it mounts to the windshield frame, that would be great. Thanks low'n slow: yeah Cali's pretty far from you...i appreciate the offer though...that's a full top you're tryin to get rid of? __________________ 1972 k/5 Blazer 350V8/TH350/NP205 "The Ox"

12-21-2011, 03:59 PM	#5
mustardjimmy71 toys'r'us Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Penticton, BC, Canada Posts: 347	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... imo, the best way to make your own half top would be to cut down an old blazer top. The windshield frame is allready figured out for you. Theres half the battle right there. Then you could cut out the hatch glass frame for a back window and keep the tailgate seal. Or make it a half cab with a hatch. __________________ 71 jimmy bone stock 350 sm465 33x12.5 rallies 79 caprice landau full load crate350 th350 lowered 20"wires 00 f150 reg cab sb 4x4 5.4L

12-21-2011, 09:27 PM	#7
low'n slow Too Dumb To Know Better Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 882	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... Yes, it is a full top. LMK if you want part of it.

12-23-2011, 01:44 AM	#8
FoxHound Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 111	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... mustardjimmy71: I thought about doing that, but I just couldn't bring myself to cut up a perfectly good full top...if I could find one that was in pretty bad shape I'd definitely try that though. jaros: thank you but I actually have a full hard top sitting in my backyard I can reference, I was hoping to restore that as well as have a half top on hand, just in case I wanna switch over to SUV mode again haha. That's the great thing about our trucks, they're totally versatile. Just takes a lot of effort! Take your time on the pics, I'm in no hurry. thanks for your help. low'n slow: thank you, I'll let you know if I can use any of it...but if someone else wants it, don't hang onto it for me lol...i'm still debating on wether or not i have the time and budget for this, i'm just getting info on it for now __________________ 1972 k/5 Blazer 350V8/TH350/NP205 "The Ox"

12-23-2011, 02:18 AM	#9
mcmlxix Collector of Projects Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,106	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... Im in for any pictures of a metal half cab roof .... __________________ Rich 1972 K5 Blazer CST Click HERE D60 BIG BRAKE UPGRADE Click HERE

12-23-2011, 06:28 AM	#10
mustardjimmy71 toys'r'us Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Penticton, BC, Canada Posts: 347	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... the thing i would like a half cab for is the heat in the winter. probably 1/3 the cubic feet __________________ 71 jimmy bone stock 350 sm465 33x12.5 rallies 79 caprice landau full load crate350 th350 lowered 20"wires 00 f150 reg cab sb 4x4 5.4L

07-07-2012, 02:51 AM	#12
mcmlxix Collector of Projects Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,106	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... Bump... Anyone ever make anything work? Find any pictures? __________________ Rich 1972 K5 Blazer CST Click HERE D60 BIG BRAKE UPGRADE Click HERE

07-07-2012, 10:11 PM	#13
jaros44sr Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,463	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... Looks like i dropped the ball on this one....foxhound still needs pics? __________________ 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

07-08-2012, 08:50 AM	#15
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,556	Re: Another Half Cab Thread... My top is toast so I checked the net. I found a site (cant remember where) but a lot of these blazers were made into short pickups with metal tops...Looked cool and I think I will go that route. Gotta fix some rust anyway. It looked like they just cut off the top section of another truck. I bet this could be made to be removable ??? __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350



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