Blazer retractable convertible top

[zammer]

Ok, back on the project again
Last week started again and got the passenger side window working on the power regulator as well which is sweet to be close to moving on to the rest of the top stuff. Now, I am almost done building up the raised waistline all around the truck, just found 2 more rusted up doors to slash. So i am ready to start the back end of the top with the last bow that has the tack down strip section.
What i need to know is, since i sold my fiberglass hardtop a couple years ago and can't measure off it, what is the angle on the back of the topper where the hatch door is? My guess is around 70 degrees? I'm looking at going 60 degress or higher towards 70 depending on the looks..
If someone has a protractor and could give me a rough estimate that would be great to see how close to stock i can get the rear angle to look clean..
thanks!

[Andy4639]

zammer,

Just was looking through your top build. This is a great design and feature of your blazer man! Great job.

just wanted to share with you what I did with my vent windows also.
Put the metal channel in place of the window and mounted the Street scene mirrors on them.

[BlazinC5]

I'm at work right now,,, but, I can probably get the degree for you tomorrow morning Zammer. I'm pretty sure I know where my protractor is..

[99-LS1-SS]

Somehow I've missed this build. I'll be watching from here on.

[roOstersan]

Eagerly watching and waiting for this to come together! Nice work
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[zammer]

Hey ANdy, thats a good idea for the window... i was wondering exactly how i was going to do that touch...

Blazen C5 that would be great if you can do a measurement for me,

thanks for the comments guys.

- last night complet;y finished raising the waistline on the tailgate as well, will be able to start fabricating the rear of the top hopefully in the next couple of days..
Kris

[Wasted Income]

I somehow also missed this build. Great idea!

I also hate the look of the available soft tops on a 2wd.

I do like the boat bimini top idea. Might have to look into that a bit more.

[tubbedII]

So glad you're back on this build! I went to get that measurement for you but could not locate my protractor...I'm sure someone will get it soon enough though.

[BlazinC5]

Sorry Zammer, I messed up yesterday. Mondays and 12 hr graveyard shift plus the addition of 30 miles of slick, nasty roads,,,, all I could think about was a shower and my bed. I'll try and do it tomorrow morn -again.

[BlazinC5]

ok,, Here it is.


Now figuring the ground is 0 deg. and the tail gate is at 90 deg. perpendicular, the needle fell rite on the 60 degree mark. hope it helps. you have an interesting build going there.. keep at it.



.

[skorpioskorpio]

I'm sure it's in here somewhere, but are you planing on using Suburban glass in the doors to get the square trailing edge to match your rear glass?

[zammer]

Hey thanks Blazen! I'm a 12 hour shift worker also so i can totally relate to draggen my ass home to go straight for the bed,,
60 degrees is perfect for an angle on my top as well, should keep the rear looking more like it was to be original
- skorpioskorpio - i would look at using the Burb glass but I decided to do a one piece of glass in the doors for more support using modded rails down the front of the door so i will end up having to get custom glass made for the doors and for the rear windows..

Tonight i will try to get some pictures up with the rear tacking strip in place around the 60 degree angle once i have it fabbed up..

[fxdxharley]

watched your you tube video last night. looks cool in action.

[zammer]

sorry no new pictures yet, i just took top rack apart and bead blasted the crap out of it at work last night while i could.. I'm thinking of doing a POR 15 coating to it after as I like the way the other things i have done with POR look.. also may be good for the abuse it can take (scratches, rain, dirt etc..) would anyone recommend another kind of paint for it other then the gloss black POR 15?

[PHAT TONY]

I'd use Endura; both are epoxy coatings and Endura's 1/3 the price or less.

[zammer]

good idea Tony, i forgot about Endura. Thats what is laying on my frame and Rad support and it looks pretty much like Por 15 too. Its of course made just down the way from me too.. thanks for the tip..

[zammer]

i got some new pictures with the rack on the blaze without the middle bows but the fitting is the same.. Decided after lots of thinking and different ideas of how i was going to finish the back and came up with having a rear hatch trunk that opens when the top is either going up or down and it will be on air cylinders as well. I cut a piece of fiber board to roughly give an idea of how it will work.. The real one will also extend another 4" towards the front following the approx 45 degree angle of the rear seats to further cover the top when its under the trunk top and so it cleans up the gap around the seats.
Also picked up a old new to me gmc 67/68 hood!

[zammer]

Also in the end of doing all the way around the box with the raised waistline it took 8 doors, and I have currently had to get 3 complete top racks as well for the extra parts needed for sectioning the width and length. The rear bow that will sit on top of the rear hatch cover will also be a tack bow from blend of parts and i also have to look into rubber seals that will sit on top and seal decent as well as finding a way to mount the seal. This bow will have to be on air as well to move up and off the hatch when the top is ready to be folded down under the hatch, so the trunk cover can open and be clear of it.. that is the next step i am on.. measure measure measure.
I think i have to get more/larger air receivers as well now with all this air moving things around originally i had one only for the bags until i took this beast project on

[BigCountryx]

The top is sick, can't wait to see how this plays out
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[zammer]

Me too
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[zammer]

Not much of a top update but since I've spent so much time on the top and it needs a fine tuning now I was looking at parting out the blazer because it felt like i wasn't getting anywhere. So, instead of doing that I came to my senses and I have the top production on hold and am going through with the fun still again (things you see progress on) and continuing with getting the engine running. I put in a new distributor, and looking to order a boyd welding tank with efi! And once installed I am going to try out the FAST ez efi system I've been looking at for over 3 years now and bolt that onto my intake and try it out
That is enough to get me excited abiout working on it again.. Just need a break from the top, I will finish it though as I'm 80% done approx..

[BMERDOC]

Nice job on the top Zammer! Good thing you didn't part it! Do you have any pics or info on how you laid the windshield back?

[hgs_notes]

Good to hear it. I know how getting stuck on one area of a build can wear you down. I didn't use the EZ system, looked at it though, but found a less expensive alternative with a used holley system. Once the efi is on and running though, its outstanding. I think you'll like it.

[tubbedII]

I too am glad you didn't part this out. It's great that instead of moving to another project you moved to another part of this one as well!

[jeffg1010]

This is one of my favorite Blazer threads. Glad to see you are keeping the dream alive. I know how it is sometimes easy to get frustrated at the build process. Very cool that you refocused on other areas to keep it going. After all, a cool convertible top is kinda boring on a truck with no engine. It's gonna be a iconic show stopper when it's done.