Blazer retractable convertible top

[smbrouss70]

If you are doing the body to look stock, I would go with white. If not, a medium or slightly darker khaki would look great with any of your darker colors, then you could have your interior done in a similar shade.

[hgs_notes]

Depends on color of paint. In most cases you are safe with either color. I don't know if thats true with shades of gray or silvers though. I think black would look better with those. In just about every other color though white or black should look good and it would be your preference. These came with black tops also.

[Effeckt]

I personally would shy away from white for the simple fact that it will get dirty and wear the quickest in my opinion. I would look towards either khaki as suggested or black. Where my opinion would land would ultimately depend on what color you went with. I think black looks good with just about any color but khaki could look great with the right combo.

[tubbedII]

I'm not a fan of white convertible tops...kinda reminds me of table cloths. I'm not saying they don't look good, but IMO black usually looks better. Either way, you'd probably be better off choosing all 3 colors (paint, interior AND top) at the same time to ensure they work together.

[zammer]

Very good tips points and opinions guys thanks!
I honestly didn't realize there are hundreds of different a vinyls a guy can go with... The dark khaki would be cool too, I would have never searched for the look of it but its dark but not black... It would look pretty slick...
I need to decide my interior colors too soon.. I will probably do a mock vinyl top in black before the real one to check operation and fitment as well... Getting closer by the day.....
Posted via Mobile Device

[zammer]

Ok I have the RHS almost completed and tacked in place, just need to figure out how I am going to do the j clip receptacle ( this the stationary hole or anchor point on the windshield frame that the clip grabs to hold the header bow in place.. The below pic you can see it hanging down ..

Posted via Mobile Device

Now it has over 90 degrees it can move toward the frame which I will put some sort of hard washer doubled up,or something.. The ones I bought from a 68-72 chevelle does not work even with modding because its too big and cast crap metal of some sort...
Posted via Mobile Device

[zammer]

This shows the top part of the spring loaded j clip handles . To secure you move the handle towards the top frame rack..

Posted via Mobile Device

[zammer]

Here is a look at the side hard to really see detail but it has a slight arc in the top simulator to most converts of this era but less which makes it look almost unnoticeable or straight on the horizontal...

Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[zammer]

The final shot and work of the day is the bow with its 5 sections welded in roughly and sitting perched atop of the frame... I also put on the seal under it and it's looks like it will be a nice double lipped seal sweet!


Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by zammer

Very good tips points and opinions guys thanks!
I honestly didn't realize there are hundreds of different a vinyls a guy can go with... The dark khaki would be cool too, I would have never searched for the look of it but its dark but not black... It would look pretty slick...
I need to decide my interior colors too soon.. I will probably do a mock vinyl top in black before the real one to check operation and fitment as well... Getting closer by the day.....
Posted via Mobile Device

I think you want to use canvas not vinyl.

[zammer]

Ah yes, right I do want to use canvas thanks! Looks much cleaner IMO
Posted via Mobile Device

[Chulisohombre]

This is going to be pretty cool when you get it finished
Posted via Mobile Device

[zammer]

Hey can't believe its been a year since the last update..
Was busy the past 8-10 months starting a small boat business and things are winding down so I'm commiting my extra time to getting this truck ready for paint by the end of January so it will be road ready for the spring here
I still have approx 60-80 est manhours left on the top and its components but i'm seeing the light now as this past week I almost have the rear trunk operating on 4 air cylinders efficiently and that will be a big milestone.

Here's a new video of the blazer after i took it out last week for a quick cruise since finishing plumbing in the air bag suspension, putting in 2 electric fans on the rad and finishing up the fuel tank mods..
I'm sitting on a milk crate thus i have to hold onto the windsheild frame so i didn't end up in the back haha , couldn't help myself to see what kind of take-off i could do.. ( i brought this truck home 5 years ago next week already and have put on 2 miles of drive time )

1971 2wd Blazer burnout on milk crate - YouTube

[tubbedII]

I'm very glad this one is still in the works. Probably my favorite project of the entire board. Your take off looked and sounded great too. Looked and sounded like you were trying to put on your seat belt...

[Chulisohombre]

Cool. It's gettin around pretty good.

[zammer]

I'm glad this project is still in the works too, excited to work on it again
I had a serious adrenalin rush there, wasn't expecting it to wind up like that.. Helps to have that fast self tuning efi in place, it runs very smooth

[YBNORML]

Looks awesome!

[hgs_notes]

I like the little Mmmm Hmmm the wife gives at the end of the video.

Looks great rolling down the road.

[zammer]

OK i feel like i have made enough progress for an update... I have approx 10-12 full days of fabrication in since my sept post.. Had to wait for the rear hatch cylinders to be made and shipped etc as well which was fine because they fit perfect!..
I have most of the mechanical parts now fabricated and working on air..
So this gives us a total of 5 Pair of cylinders (10 air cylinders) to work from its full retracted "under the rear hatch" position, to the top being up and extended in the "ready for rain" position..
Below are some pictures to try and some the positions in picture form, i will have a video eventually of the entire top going from retracted to extended but that will be the next phase of getting solenoids,switches and relays mounted and wired up etc.. Just deciding on which 3 position, 5 way solenoid block i want to use..

Top under hatch in retracted position...

[Chulisohombre]

Looking good. Lots of progress on this. Can't wait to see more with a canvass on it.

[zammer]

OK so to get the air cylinders working the 2 pair of hatch cylinders work together to lift the hatch out of the way so the top can be extended...
1.The first pair of cylinders are "tilt" cylinders at 20mm x 25mm to lift the edge of the hatch that is parallel with the tail gate up 2" to clear the edge of the box sides
2.The main pair of cylinders are 32mm x 150mm to move the hatch completely out of the way towards the rear of the tailgate
The one picture doesn't have the top in the retracted position as i didn't get a picture of it there but it does the same thing..

[zammer]

The next position would be the top extending and being "latched" to the front windshield bridge and being secured. The 2 rear bows of the top would remain in the "up" position so the rear hatch can clear and go back to its closed position.. This one will include a small video of movement of them.. The fine tuning of the speed and forces are yet to be tuned.

[zammer]

OK next is a quick video of the rear bows in operation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsIm...ature=youtu.be

[zammer]

SO once top is latched to front of windshield next the hatch will close again and following that the rear bows would then go back down covering the hatch.

[zammer]

Completed some windshield bridge welding as well from the swap to the new 1972 chevelle convertible front header and windshield bridge. Once the top is working on the switches ( hopefully by the new year ) then its time to refine the top operation, window fitment and regulator operation and then all the fine tuning... Slowly but its getting closer to being operational which will then allow me to finish the actual truck and be able to drive it