Took the top off for the first time.

[krue]

Here's an official warning. Keep it civil or it will get locked. Period.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by krue

Here's an official warning. Keep it civil or it will get locked. Period.

Damn, you beat me to it

[jkade]

Originally Posted by bagged74

hey man I'm not telling you what to do at all. I was just giving you a little crap because it seems like everytime someone doesnt agree with what you have to say you get all huffy. And you did.
As far as your comment about my wife, shes 5'3" and weighs 105lbs., and I woud refrain from making comments about peoples wives if I were you. Thats not telling you what to do, thats a warning.

Yeah I do get huffy, not saying anything about your wife I just asked. I know I am 6'3 225 and my brother is 6'3 250+ and it was strain a nut heavy for us to handle. Sorry for the misunderstanding on all this but I wanted a blazer and not a truck. I got the local junk yard to get on the computer and look for a half cab and no results. I am going to keep looking though. I have a lot of money in my stereo system and my interior is going to cost over 2000 I just don't want to ruin anything. I like the look of the blazers with half cabs it makes people think, hum is that a truck or what. I appreciate the advise you have given me, but if you know something is going to make me huffy why do it. I don't get on here trying to make people mad. This is a great site with lots of info, so let us act like adults. Thanks, Kade

[LUV2XCLR8]

Best solution if you have the money, not that any of the ones in FAQ's section
are not good, just this is a ready to go kit, and can be pulled by a 5 yr old

http://www.hoister.com/default.php

[jkade]

Originally Posted by Big Block

Your blazer looks great! Took the top of mine spring of 2001 been topless ever since.

Your looking good there also. I need to get me a 4x4 blazer to play with too.

[jkade]

Originally Posted by krue

Check the FAQ submissions board. At the top go to my Index thread, there should be a link to a rig just like you're looking for.

Couldn't find it on there, but I did find a lot of helpful info on other things.Thanks, Kade

[VinceY]

I put my top on for the first time in at least 10 years. The original owner always just used the soft top. Lifting it on was the easy part. The holes did not line up worth a darn. I had to use rachette straps to pull it in places to make the holes line up with the bedside. Took way too long.

I have read about tops losing their shape over time and that you should bolt it onto a wood frame or such to keep it's shape when off the truck.
I will be making a frame and bolting it to it when it comes off this summer.
Anyone else experience anything like this or is it always a pain to put the top on?

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by VinceY

I put my top on for the first time in at least 10 years. The original owner always just used the soft top. Lifting it on was the easy part. The holes did not line up worth a darn. I had to use rachette straps to pull it in places to make the holes line up with the bedside. Took way too long.

I have read about tops losing their shape over time and that you should bolt it onto a wood frame or such to keep it's shape when off the truck.
I will be making a frame and bolting it to it when it comes off this summer.
Anyone else experience anything like this or is it always a pain to put the top on?

I use to put mine on and take it off...I started storing the hardtop cuz I didn't like it. went to move one year and the holes would not line up too well anymore...I think it got warped from leaning against the house all thoes years...so I gave it away..problem solved.
So yes I do belive they warp when put in storage or leaning on the side of the house...mine sure seamed to...

[bouncytruck]

I found this on the web and used it to store my top last summer. It worked well and I was able to remove the top myself. The only downside was I had to remove the rear seat and the spare tire to pull out from under the top. I used eye bolts in the ceiling rather than pullies because pullies rated for that much weight were $$$.

http://home.pacbell.net/jls-dls/RemoveTop.html

[71swb4x4]

I have something similar to Bouncy's. The main difference on mine is I have small blocks of wood on the outside and inside of the top to hold it in shape.

[vtblazer]

My top came off in Feb this year...

Took it off forever, at least on this blazer.

My soft top had been in the box for 5yrs and what a battle it gave.

[71RestoRod]

VT,

Is that a Kayline? I really like the profile of the top it looks great!

[Medicanman71]

its not a fastrac

[hotrodhomi]

vtblazer- I hope your heater works

[vtblazer]

Not a Kayline, not a Fast Trac, just a 7yr old Best Top.

Heater works great.
Matter of fact, I was surprised at how warm it 'was' on the drive home.

Not a daily driver/road tripper, so all I need/want is cover from the elements with the option of 'open air' wheeling when the weather allows.

Here's a profile shot for ya Resto, shows how it really looks.

[Burt4x4]

Much better VT

[69k5]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Nice Blazer!

I remove my top myself. I have four ropes hanging from the ceiling of my garage. I slide a 2x4 under the front and one under the back. There are blocks on the 2x4's the keep the top from moving in and out. Then I lift one side of one 2x4 and tie the rope to it. I go to the next one and do the same until I have all four ends up. Then I drive out.

same basic way look in my webshots I think there is a pic of it. some pulleys, rope and eye bolts.

69k5

[Medicanman71]

do the windows just roll up on that top?

edit: mine are hanging in my closet and never even got zipped in this winter

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by Medicanman71

do the windows just roll up on that top?

edit: mine are hanging in my closet and never even got zipped in this winter

Yes, Besttop & Kayline both roll up and are held inplace by a snaping strap. SCT Fasttrack has the only zip out window tops.

[VinceY]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Not a Kayline, not a Fast Trac, just a 7yr old Best Top.

Heater works great.
Matter of fact, I was surprised at how warm it 'was' on the drive home.

Not a daily driver/road tripper, so all I need/want is cover from the elements with the option of 'open air' wheeling when the weather allows.

Here's a profile shot for ya Resto, shows how it really looks.

Just be careful with your best top in the winter. The windows don't like the cold. I took mine off last fall and the temperature was just below freezing. Folded it up somewhat and set it behind my seat. I was careful with it as I could see how stiff the windows were. My kid throw his bag on top of it and snapped 2 windows. $200 CDN buys 3 new windows sewn in.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by VinceY

Just be careful with your best top in the winter. The windows don't like the cold.

Yep, good reminder.

I ran this top on another blazer for almost 2yrs and remember how "stiff" they get in the cold.

Medicanman71, all the windows do is roll up 'safari' style.

[k-nuts]

When I had my '74 full top I had a similar set up as "bounceytruck" showed. But no pulleys. Real easy to take off by myself. Yes this is after trying to take off w/ 2 people and scratching the paint on the rear bed side a time or two. I just back into the garage. Have the 2x4 or 2x6 about 4" longer than the top width on each side. Anchored to the cieling joist. (may need to verify load) the garage it was in had no sheetrock and I just tied the ropes to the cieling joist. Anyways the back 2x4 is tied parallel to the floor about 4-6" above the top of the bedrail (as the weight of the top will stretch the ropes a bit. The front 2x4 is tied parallel to the floor about 4-6" above the windshield frame. So you back in under the front 2x4 and up to the back 2x4. Get in the bed and lift the top up with your back/shoulders and slide the 2x4 under it. (maybe harder with the 1st gen liftgate on the top) Then do the same with the front. Then drive out slowly. Maybe making this seem harder than it is but if you have a garage, then this works great!

Karl K.