Single wall top vrs. Double wall top

[drillrod]

Can some of u help educate me on double vrs. single wall tops. What determined whether a blazer came with one or the other. My 72 K5 came with a single wall with two interior lights ( which I like ), but all of the double wall tops that I have noticed have not come with lights. Maybe some did and I just have not seen them. Which is a better top, the double or single wall or is it just preference. Another advantage with the single wall is if u have interior side panels u don't have to take them off to get the top off or am I wrong about this. Help me deside which way to go because I am restoring my blazer now and I have access to a double wall with no interior lights if that is the way to go. Both came off of a 72 blazer. Thanks

[jjzepplin]

All of us double wall guys want to buy your single wall!

[skorpioskorpio]

There have been lots of threads on this subject here is a link to one of the more recent ones:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=623359

[Chulisohombre]

I like my double wall. It's Heavier but stronger. Ive seen single walls crack and break offroading. On road I would rather have the single with lights. If you plan on going topless a lot keep the single wall. It's easier to get on and off. Without a rollcage, offroad the single wall flexes a lot when the body twists and can break window glass and or the top completely if you get too crazy.

[71swb4x4]

Double walls do not come with interior lights, single walls do.
The double wall bolts up from the bottom, the single wall bolts down from the top.
Double walls seem to sag a lot more than single walls.
Single walls didn't come out until 1972. So 1972 could have single or double wall tops.
I have not seen weights on the two tops, some say single wall is lighter. They are both awfully heavy.

[Chulisohombre]

I think someone said there is around a hundred pound difference. My double wall I'd have to guess was around 300 pounds or so.

[skorpioskorpio]

Hmm, my understanding is that there is not a significant difference in weight between the 2, despite being called double wall and single wall, they are both in fact constructed with an inner and outer wall and formed out of roughly the same quantity of the same SMC material.

Double walls sag worse than single walls, though both sag in the middle. Single walls have exposed inner supports and do not have the substantial gap between walls that double walls do. Both tops are fairly fragile and can barely support their own weight when not bolted down. To save me from retyping it all, here is my quote from the thread I linked to above:

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

Single walls are massively heavy and double walls are unbelievably heavy.

Single walls can sag in the middle and virtually all double walls sag in the middle.

Single walls have bolts that go down from the top into captive weld nuts in the bed rail (that only some '72 have and no '69-71 has, you'd have to drill and add them). But it means that single walls can be removed without removing interior side panels. The double wall has bolts that go up from under the bedrail into captive nuts in the top.

Single walls may have dome lights, double walls never have factory dome lights.

Hatches are interchangable between the two.

Dispite the names both are actually double wall, the "double wall" has more space between the inner and outer skin than the "single wall" and the single wall has exposed structure on the interior side.

The single wall is generally more desireable because it sags less and can be removed easier.

All that said apparently either top is worth significantly more on the West Coast than in the Midwest or East Coast. I sold my double wall for $300 and it was a rat with a hole in both the inner and outer skin, a front to back split starting, massive sag, and the worlds cheapest sunroof installed badly with acrylic caulk...oh and the bolts were all rusted so bad they looked more like nails than bolts. But the hatch and original green tint glass was all good and the hatch alone is worth that on the West Coast.

Why would these tops be more valuable on the West Coast? My guess is that more rebuildable trucks survive on the West Coast, and the sun is harder on the tops and also that tops are removed and replaced more so they are subjected to more damage. So on one coast trucks survive and tops don't and the opposite is true in the Midwest and East Coast.

All that said, I personally have decided to do one of these on my project, it weighs a third of either of the factory options:



Without some sort of installed rigging a factory top will likely be almost never removed, or never installed and in danger of being damaged if and when it is. The little half top is carriable, with glass in it, by one person, has no moving parts, no seams and isn't particularly fragile if not stored supported and level. The down side is passengers in a back seat will never be able to ride covered, and it's not as friendly for my German Shepherds. I plan on using my half top with a custom hard tonneau.

[drillrod]

Thanks everyone for the info, the people on this board are the greatest!

[Blazerowner]

I have a single wall and have it sitting in my garage. I installed a softopper top for ease of use and weight but can say I really like the original top. I'm also searching for another one just to have a backup. The single wall can be hard to find as it came out in the later part of 72. I see a lot of double wall tops for sale but rarely a single wall. By the way the single wall has wood trusses in the ribs. I've considered removing the wood and putting in aluminum to strengthen it. I have almost no sag though so we'll see.

[61Cadman]

Skorpioskorpio where can I get a half top like that and how much?

Thanks

[skorpioskorpio]

I got the top from a board member who has the original aftermarket molds from the '70s his username is Boneyard. Is he willing to make more? don't know, what did I pay? I'm the buyer and out of respect for the seller I won't say, sorry. More info in this current thread, though my answers to the above questions are the same:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=463376

[richeilers]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Double walls do not come with interior lights, single walls do.
The double wall bolts up from the bottom, the single wall bolts down from the top.
Double walls seem to sag a lot more than single walls.
Single walls didn't come out until 1972. So 1972 could have single or double wall tops.
I have not seen weights on the two tops, some say single wall is lighter. They are both awfully heavy.

How positive are you on the Single walls not coming out until 1972? My 1971 has a single wall and I have a pretty decent history of it with no mention of a top change.
Thanks.

[Blazerowner]

100% certain later half of 72. It's a similar design as the 73 up top.

[DubyaS6]

Does anyone have a top for sale?

[mkelly]

I have a 72 that has a single wall top that is in rough shape. I just bought a really nice double wall top that I am having painted at the moment. What will I need to do make the swap as far as how they bolt on. I know the single wall bolts go in from the top and the double wall bolts go in from the bottom. I guess my question is what is the best way to get rid of the built in nuts for the single wall top.

Thanks

[Chulisohombre]

Coming from the factory both sets of holes were already there in 72. It just depended on what top they decided to put on what truck. Mine came with No top but still had the holes for it. Just leave them there. If you don't like how they look, you Can get a plate that bolts in to block
Off the bed holes. I've seen them Made before.

[Blazerowner]

My 72 only has holes for the single wall. They don't line up for the double you will have to drill new holes.

[Tom Vogel]

My 72 Jimmy had both hole sets. go figure

[Chulisohombre]

I've heard most people say that 72 had both sets installed since you could put on both tops depending on what the customer wanted. Maybe someone filled yours in or something? I'll have to remember some didn't have both sets of holes if it is original.