Top Stowed For The Summer

[TexasK5]

I have owned my 72 blazer since 95 and through the years have used a few different methods to hoist the top for removal and stowed it a few different ways. In my current garage, suspending it from the ceiling would have blocked some lights and leaving it in the yard didn't seem like a good idea. So yesterday I crated it so it could be stood up on end and stored against the wall. It required two 2x8x10', two 2x4x10', fourteen 2x4x8'.

[bouncytruck]

Very interesting solution.

[jaros44sr]

Ok, clever solution to space saving.....but, now im interested in seeing what the rest of the truck looks like

Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy your time here....lots of good info.

[TexasK5]

Thanks for the welcome - here's a pic

[jaros44sr]

Thats slick, tonneau works also. Like the rear roll pan, wasnt sure what one would look like, now i know...

Whats the engine look like? Sorry just had to ask

Thanks for your time

[TexasK5]

Always glad to share photos. Engine is a 454 from a '73. Full roller bored .030 over.

[TexasK5]

More recent with the be cool radiator, new brake booster and vacuum pump for the brakes

[jaros44sr]

Wow, thats slick. Oughta get down the road....very nice truck! Again welcome aboard

[markedgar5]

Love the tonneau cover. Is that a custom job? Always thought of putting a tonneau in back with a bikini in front. Problem is I'd need a roll bar
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[TexasK5]

Yes, I believe the tonneau was custom made. It came with the Blazer when I bought it. There is also a soft top that goes with it that slides in a rail along the top of the windshield and zips to the front of the tonneau. The bedsides are attached with velcro. I have done a few iterations of supports, and the latest has pieces of angle behind the seats and above the tailgate so the tailgate can still open with the cover in place. The top gets supported by a tubular frame like a boat would have. I imagine that it was made by an awning shop, I worked for one in college and they did a lot of boat covers there.

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by TexasK5

Yes, I believe the tonneau was custom made. It came with the Blazer when I bought it. There is also a soft top that goes with it that slides in a rail along the top of the windshield and zips to the front of the tonneau. The bedsides are attached with velcro. I have done a few iterations of supports, and the latest has pieces of angle behind the seats and above the tailgate so the tailgate can still open with the cover in place. The top gets supported by a tubular frame like a boat would have. I imagine that it was made by an awning shop, I worked for one in college and they did a lot of boat covers there.

Interesting, I'd love to see a pic of that setup.

[TexasJimmy]

Nice ride. Good to see another clean Texas K5!
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[RustyBucket]

Hmm, big block, stick, 2wd Blazer... WHAT A CONCEPT!... NEAT TOY
Set you a pm & asked about your engine build, which posi carrier, rear ratio.

[griffiths]

Beautiful truck. Great idea for storage. Is the top bolted to the frame? Is it a double wall top? Thanks
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[TexasK5]

Originally Posted by griffiths

Beautiful truck. Great idea for storage. Is the top bolted to the frame? Is it a double wall top? Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

The top is mainly supported on the surface behind the driver and passenger windows. It is also clamped down fairly tight. I am not really worried about the paint, it doesn't look good now, so no fear of making it worse

I honestly don't know whether it is a single wall or double. It's the only Blazer top I have ever had or been in close contact with and don't really know the difference.

[TexasK5]

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

Interesting, I'd love to see a pic of that setup.

Alright, here you go. The top has been in the shed for a loooong time, so it's dusty and we weren't going to leave it on so it wasn't worth getting all cleaned up. The colors are off because of the fluorescent lights in the garage (in real life it's a medium/dark red, not pinkish purple). This should give you an idea of what it looks like and how it works.

[skorpioskorpio]

Interesting, not what I was expecting, it's kind of Model T'ish or WW2 Power wagon looking. I do like the concept though but maybe it needs to have more than one loop, although it does look as functional as most of the softtops on these trucks are. The more I see softtops on these trucks the more I think there needs to be some sort of top that has some rigid frame around the window as part of the top, like maybe a modified frame from a pickup door or something. I think this: soft+top+holes may be a step to making something like that.

[docstheman]

Slick storage idea Texask5. Beautiful Blazer. Maybe I will get to see it sometime. I am in DFW pretty often.

[Rem701]

I was wondering if this method of storing the top still makes sense for you. I know it’s an old thread but I am finding myself in a situation where this would be a good solution for me. If anybody else is doing something like this your recommendations would be appreciated.

[TexasK5]

Wow, I got an e-mail on this and haven't logged in to this board for several years. The top is still stowed away as shown in the start of the thread. I haven't had any reason to put it back on, so there it sits (with many things piled around it).

[harrij4]

Originally Posted by Rem701

I was wondering if this method of storing the top still makes sense for you. I know it’s an old thread but I am finding myself in a situation where this would be a good solution for me. If anybody else is doing something like this your recommendations would be appreciated.

Started a conversation in a different thread, but I'm looking to build a similar crating system, but to store on its side. Will need to bolt the side rails to some vertical posts, and support the roof so it doesn't skew. I'm still worked about it distorting over time.