Canvas for the xm757

[cranetruck]

Since the original vinyl top is almost impossible to find, I'll have a canvas "bikini style" top until I find one. Started working on it a few days ago....
There will be a second piece covering the equipment behind the seats.

 

[BKubu]

Bjorn: I doubt you'll find one surplus, although you'd think there would be one out there some where. If you can give them the old remains and measurements, a place like Beachwood Canvas can replicate your old top. Same goes for WeeBee Webbing and New Life Canvas Resources.

 

[cranetruck]

Thanks Bruce for the suggestion, there are some floating around, I missed one at Joe Naglich by about a year and they are apparently still good made of vinyl and all.
Meanwhile, I'll make my canvas substitute look good.

 

[dc3coyote]

Hey CraneTruck, could you post some more pics, that looks like a very cool truck

 

[cranetruck]

There are lots of images of my project posted, here are some samples from a search:


http://steelsoldiers.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=16447&highlight=xm757

http://steelsoldiers.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=15469&highlight=xm757

http://steelsoldiers.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=15119&highlight=xm757

 

[Capt.Marion]

Wow, that looks phenomenal

 

[cranetruck]

A little further along the way...some turn fasteners installed.
Now I'm concerned about possible shrinkage and excessive tension in places...everything requires some learning....

 

[cranetruck]

A little rain, some sun and there is movement....maybe there was more than one reason for using vinyl to begin with, the 100 inch wide cotton canvas will shrink a lot.
I'm now considering using the vinyl(?) shown to the left in the image, part of a HMMWV top from Wayne Harris a couple of years ago (actually used it for padding when I transported a CUCV camper shell to Kenny at that time).

I also have second hand info that Sam Winer may have the real thing, so we'll see how it plays out.

 

[OPCOM]

She looks pretty in a bikini! That truck is really great-looking Bjorn!

 

[gimpyrobb]

Bjorn, I hope that info is good, I don't see why not.

 

[cranetruck]

Well false alarm, they only have some axles for the truck no tops....

 

[cranetruck]

Worked on the cab top again, adding reinforcement strips and eyelets...
The Goop silicone adhesive is incredible strong, spent a couple of hours with an Exacto knife separating about 18 inches of a glued, folded edge to be re-glued to allow for shrinkage.

The Goop is a little hard to work with since it doesn't flow easily, which may be seen in one of the images.

 

[alphadeltaromeo]

Love the pics Bjorn...this is quite an interesting project indeed.

 

[cranetruck]

Well, got the top finished and went ahead and painted it in a Gillespie Field Drab color (not neccessarily the final color).
I plan to make the top portion white like I did the top for the deuce, which helps keep the cab cool. The white is not very noticable from the ground (see avatar).

 

[doghead]

Bjorn, Did you sew any of this top?(is it all done with glue and grommets)? Is this the same basic way that you made your "bikini" top on your deuce? How long has that one lasted and how is it holding up? It looks good!

 

[cranetruck]

Bjorn, Did you sew any of this top?(is it all done with glue and grommets)? Is this the same basic way that you made your "bikini" top on your deuce? How long has that one lasted and how is it holding up? It looks good!

Right, only glue (Goop) and the grommets. The deuce top is still like new, but then, I do keep it covered at all times unless the truck is driven.

 

[cranetruck]

Top was dry enough to handle by 15:00 hrs, so I just had to try it on.
Images show the result.....

 

[doghead]

Did you use brass "twist lock" grommets on the sides(over the doors) and if you did, where did you get them and the tools to install them? The new top looks good, nice work!

 

[m376x6]

I had two M656's and bought two or three tops years ago from Naglich's. I sold one at an auction for 5600 and wanted to keep the second one. Looked for the better part of a year trying to find tires. Ended up selling it to someone back east. About a month later a fellow called saying he had heard I was looking for tires and stated he had around 40 of the 16-20 tubeless tires new sitting in his yard. My luck.

I have a pic of me driving it in the Petersen's 4 wheel and Off road magazine at a Power Wagon Rally that use to be held in Sedalia at Fred LaPerriers (sp?) place.

I believe the place was called Sweeds or something roughly similar out in Tooele. Red Tomlin may know who I'm talking about if they're still there. They were just north of his place. They had parts and pieces for these 8x8's. Maybe worth a call.

Regards,
M376X6

 

[rmgill]

Bjorn, have you thought about adding and additional set of tubing to give the back of the cab more cover so you'd have more usable storage space you can reach from inside the cab?