Blazer retractable convertible top

[zammer]

This is the exact cylinder.... It has support stays on the sides that can be un-bolted pretty easily but its the part on cutting the cylinder that makes me wonder how the hell i could make a clean cut to get the cylinder to seat proper and not leak after I chop it up..

[orangek5]

I think its time for an update.

[Effeckt]

Originally Posted by orangek5

I think its time for an update.

I agree! I want to see more of this project.

[zammer]

It is time for an update!
I can't believe its been 2 1/2 months already since the last post..
O.K .... I'll get some pics and I actually have the top fully extending and retracting on its own now with the air cylinders.... works pretty sweet.
I want to get a video on Youtube so you guys can see what it looks like in motion,, give me a day or 2 and I'll see what I can do

Kris

[VA72C10]

cool...can't wait for the video!!!

[kvn1011]

Did u have to cut the cylinder at all?
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[zammer]

I decided to not cut the cylinder and just modify the top rack ram pivot out further so the stroke would be longer & at the same time it would give more leverage to get the top out of its retracted position from behind the rear seat.
To give you an idea of the force needed, these cylinders are pushing about 700 lbs EACH around 100 psi supply pressure. I changed the cylinders out once to larger ones as the first set i tried didn't have quite enough force . The first cylinder i put in was a 63 x 150 mm ( 2.5" diameter, which was good for 490 lbs @ 100 psi ) and the second one which worked good was a 82x150 mm (3.2" diameter)

I also put in a tension spring on the opposite side of each cylinder to assist them to open, and to resist the frame when its going down towards the windshield.. The spring is set up so it will be completely hidden and it just adds a nicer flow to when the top is going up and down..

[zammer]

O.K... after 4-5 hours of video recording, charging batteries, downloading and learning how to use YouTube and registering .... I think i have something for the showing... but first here are a couple pics of the Cylinders and mounting locations I ended up with including the window set-up for the rear sides which is another huge project on its own to get them to fit and work properly.. I'm working at a leisure pace which makes this fun as its supposed to be..

[zammer]

The YouTube video is done processing..... here we go

I had my just 3 year old daughter do some background singing for us .

YouTube - Retractable blazer top 1971 2wd

The title is "retractable blazer top" if the link dosen't work for anyone..

Kris

[PHAT TONY]

UUUMmmmm, that might be the koolest thing ever. When can you do mine?

[zammer]

Thanks man! It was pretty rewarding seeing the thing stoke for the 1st time without needed to fire up the grinder and welder..
I'll tell you what Tony, if you can spray my blazer in the next year or so I can do another one no prob now that I don't have to do 1200 measurements and use up 40-50 zip disks to make adjustments...
Start looking for a top rack laying around..
Now that the top is done the big hurdle will be trying to tuck the side windows into the bed sides

[Cartoonface]

Originally Posted by zammer

Thanks man! It was pretty rewarding seeing the thing stoke for the 1st time without needed to fire up the grinder and welder..
I'll tell you what Tony, if you can spray my blazer in the next year or so I can do another one no prob now that I don't have to do 1200 measurements and use up 40-50 zip disks to make adjustments...
Start looking for a top rack laying around..
Now that the top is done the big hurdle will be trying to tuck the side windows into the bed sides

I'll trade you a spray job for a top!....seriously!

[herb101]

"Yay! A Truck!!"

That is absolutely awesome! I am getting the shivers getting ready to re-skin my Mustang's convertible top and I don't have to mess with the mechanisms at all. Incredible out-of-the-box thinking man.

A suggestion for what it's worth...You might consider building up the bed top rails to match the body lines of the doors. This would allow a smother, unbroken line for the bottom the the finished drop-top and it would give you another inch or two of room to tuck the new rear windows away in.

Very cool work for sure.

Herb

[red71cheyenne]

That is awesome!! Amazing you could get it to work the way you wanted. Wish I had that kind of patience and brain power.

[Effeckt]

That looks fantastic! You did a great job with it.

[kvn1011]

cool!! it will be interesting to see what you do with the rear side windows!

[brian26]

I can dig it. I got mine only as a halftop, and it's very nice to see someone tackle the rear seat version. Stay with it. I'll be checking in.

One thing you might add to the 'to do' list- "IF" you still have the rain gutter on the windshield header, you'll want to trim it. The vaccuum pulls pretty heavy as it comes over the top, creating a blowfrog effect. The top will have to be tight, and maybe the vaccuum ceiling being lower, you'll be happy.

Since yours is a custom, you have much more lee-way than I gave myself.

Build it.

[brian26]

[brian26]

And by the way, I've been at it since '94 (now and then), and there are very few of us out there. Less than five I know, maybe less than that, in the world. For old Blazers of course.

Need any thing, let me know. I truly want to help.

[brian26]

Watching your video again has me really liking your actuators. The movement of the top is nice and balanced, without any rock and jive. Excellant craftsmanship too!

[QKENUF4U]

Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

UUUMmmmm, that might be the koolest thing ever.

my exact thoughts too....

[orangek5]

Originally Posted by brian26

I can dig it. I got mine only as a halftop, and it's very nice to see someone tackle the rear seat version. Stay with it. I'll be checking in.

One thing you might add to the 'to do' list- "IF" you still have the rain gutter on the windshield header, you'll want to trim it. The vaccuum pulls pretty heavy as it comes over the top, creating a blowfrog effect. The top will have to be tight, and maybe the vaccuum ceiling being lower, you'll be happy.

Since yours is a custom, you have much more lee-way than I gave myself.

Build it.

Not to create a hijack of this thread, but your truck does the same thing, it would be nice to see video of how yours works also

[brian26]

Yes, I'll be getting mine up soon. Finally learned about yoo-toobe and such. Just need to film it now............. I'm seeing some things this guy is doing here that interest me.



But, the room in mine is limited, and a "behind the rear seat" drop top is worthy to pursue(women like practical Blazers, for the kiddos of course). I did look into this avenue back in '98, but the mechanism I had ( fold out couch!LOL) had something that didn't jive......can't remember what it was. I did use the fold-out couch geometry for the half-top though. When I started, stock was "in". I see this new generation much more willing to cut and modify Blazer skin.

We really need to pursue this school of thought for old Blazers. And maybe, juuussst maybe, the rest of the world will quit calling us Bronco enthusiasts!LOL

This could set us apart.

[brian26]

I'm thinking 59-60 power sideglass rear window mechanisms from a Cadillac, 2 door hardtop. Maybe even use the glass too. Steel frames, chromed, and close to the shape here.

[zammer]

To give you guys an idea of what I am doing with the windows on the sides....
I picked some old doors that were rusted out on the bottom and I cut off the top 2.5" where the window comes through and I will be welding that on top of the bedsides to increase that height.... Where I have cut the top section already that will be were the top section will go .
I can then use the inner door for attaching the window regulators which will be powered on the inside of the bedside near the air cylinders... I mocked this up already but didn't take any pics, it looks pretty sweet as it follows the body lines nice and will be very functional for the side windows..