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HMMWV 4-man Soft Top Slant Back

Bulldogger

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In follow up to the previous post, if anyone has a good contact at Breton, or another military textile product supplier, I welcome it. I'd like to pass this design on to a more dedicated supplier, if I can't continue production on my own. Likewise if there is a Member here that has welding and heavy-duty sewing capabilities, we can talk.
Bulldogger
 

Bulldogger

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I'm still writing potential companies to consider taking over soft slant back production but no replies so far. If there is an interested Member I'm happy to discuss as well. Last three production kits are still available in Classifieds.
BDGR
 

Bulldogger

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Got a firm No from Breton last week about taking over my design. Am not able to ID any others. If anyone knows of another MilSpec canvas company, I'm all ears.
Not sure if or when I will resume production otherwise.
Bulldogger
 

TOBASH

Father, Surgeon, Cantankerous Grouch
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Why not contact a local boatyard and boat repair facility. They already do all these things and might be willing to take on the design.
 

Bulldogger

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Why not contact a local boatyard and boat repair facility. They already do all these things and might be willing to take on the design.
Any shop used to welding light steel and sewing canvas is capable of making these, but I figure there would be more interest from an entity that is already affiliated with our interest sector. I don't want to just order them made and resell them or have to work to convince a shop to try it out and then they lose interest, I want someone to take it over and run with it.
BDGR
 

Mikemike

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I've posted my three remaining soft slant back kits in the Classifieds for anyone who might be interested in one. At this time I do not have a planned resume date for when, or if, I will be making them again. Sales are slight, and it gets tedious after a while. I could sell them on eBay, but anyone who has sold on eBay knows they are not seller-friendly, so I don't want that risk.
I have made some modest outreach to a military canvas goods vendor, but didn't hear back. In doing this, I'm looking for someone to take over this design, for a small fee or royalty for my investment in the designs and production steps.
My life is going through some changes this year, new wife, new family, new priorities, and sewing canvas is raking pretty low on the list for now. Wifey doesn't mind MVs, so that's good. We plan to get more into the HAM scene as well, so that will be fun and tie into MV somewhat.
Bulldogger
You have anymore of the slant back kits?
 

ikoinu

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You have anymore of the slant back kits?
I have one of Bulldogger's kits that he made for me on my 998. It's a it's a good piece of equipment. I'm moving to Montana, so have been thinking about going to a 4 man cover for more space. I might be interested in selling it, but that is ONLY if he is no longer producing or selling them (not looking to compete with his sales).
 

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Mikemike

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I have one of Bulldogger's kits that he made for me on my 998. It's a it's a good piece of equipment. I'm moving to Montana, so have been thinking about going to a 4 man cover for more space. I might be interested in selling it, but that is ONLY if he is no longer producing or selling them (not looking to compete with his sales).
I understand about not wanting to compete with him, his a good seller, with a quality product, but I don’t think he sold one sense may of 2020, I also checked all over the web trying to find a ad from him? let me know if you decide to sell, thanks.
 

Bulldogger

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You have anymore of the slant back kits?
Mikemike, I have moved twice since my last productions, but am finally catching up and mostly unpacked and set up.

I could not find a good manufacturer to sell my designs to, all turned me down. Now that I am caught up, and 'baby' always needs parts money, I plan to resume making kits this month.

ikoinu, you're always welcome to re-sell your property, I won't complain. I'm flattered to say that more than one of my kits has been resold (happily, as far as I've been told). Folks reconfigure their HMMWVs often, and so my kits have been taken off and put back on and so on.

That said, Mikemike, if you have some specific design desires, such as a different color, a center zippered window or other feature, feel free to reach out to me via private message ("Conversation" in the new site's terms) and we can discuss.
If you buy ikoinu's you have my continued product support to the best of my ability. I'll be sure to send the install instructions and drawings I provide at the time of sale, with handy tips and my contact info at the very least.

Bulldogger
 

Action

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Bulldogger, Did you ever look into making frames like the H1 soft slantback? It looks like these would be easier and cheaper to ship by the way each bow is 2 pieces...

1649259189399.png
 

Bulldogger

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Bulldogger, Did you ever look into making frames like the H1 soft slantback? It looks like these would be easier and cheaper to ship by the way each bow is 2 pieces...

View attachment 864013
Thanks Action. The use of strapping is intriguing, as I am not happy with all the welding I have to do for my current design for sure. I'm not sure shipping is truly eased if I copy the H1 design, or come close, as today my tubing all lies flat and gets rolled up in the cover to ship. It is about 5.5' long and 26 pounds now. Not the easiest thing to maneuver, but it comes in under the oversized added cost surcharge. Shipping has sure increased in price though since COVID. I gave an estimate to someone last week and what used to be $60-70 is now $100. I guess a bowed design might be easy to flat pack, so it might be 6 versus half dozen.
I also see the window on H1 soft slant backs is nearly horizontal. My design already has little enough slope and gets dirtier faster than I like.
Still, I am trying to make the frames easier to make, so I'll keep this concept in mind.
Bulldogger
 

Bulldogger

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Back to the top!
It’s taken a while but I am starting to sew again. I’ve acquired a few hundred yards of genuine milspec vinyl so I can better match OEM parts. Color match is a crap shoot for many reasons, but at least this material is waterproof.
I do not have a firm start date for when I will resume production but I am making progress. I’m also developing a curtain/bedcover that I will demo in a separate thread.
I’m also trying to tweak the frame design to eliminate welding, which should save time and embarrassment (my welding is BAD).
Will post in the vendor sponsor section once I’m ready.
Bulldogger
 

Bulldogger

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I have finished sewing my first MilSpec PVC soft slant back. It looks great! (OK, I am biased.)
I will begin offering these kits for sale soon. Please feel free to reach out to me. I am working in cooperation with William Welch of Blue Ox Tops on Facebook. WIlliam was kind enough to share his vendor contacts with me so I can offer the same fabrics he uses. This means I will be sewing sailcloth and Haartz stayfast in addition to MilSpec PVC vinyl. These other two fabrics are those used for convertible tops and sailcloth I am told sailcloth is the genuine H1 soft top fabric.
They are heavy and harder to work with, and come at a premium, but are very durable and definitely desirable for anyone who's bought a Blue Ox Top.

BDGR
MilSpec HMV SSB Corner Closed.jpg
MilSpec HMV SSB Side.jpg
 

oddshot

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Back to the top!
It’s taken a while but I am starting to sew again. I’ve acquired a few hundred yards of genuine milspec vinyl so I can better match OEM parts. Color match is a crap shoot for many reasons, but at least this material is waterproof.

Bulldogger
Do you sell this material? I've been looking for something to do some repairs on a soft top.

Can this stuff be glued to the original vinyl?

I have machine and a Speedy Sticher and are handy with both.

As long as the color is close ... I don't care. Nobody but the birds are going to see it anyway.


Thanks.

T.
 

Bulldogger

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PM replied to oddshot.

Anyone looking for this PVC will find it hard to come by. I will sell by the yard to those interested. OD green and desert tan available. If enough people want black PVC I might order a roll. These are Made In America Berry Act compliant and the current military color codes. Likely not exact color matches for older tops, unfortunately, but this PVC can be painted readily when new.
$20/yd plus shipping. 5 yards and below can travel USPS flat rate, but much more than that and it has to be sent on a roll tube and the shipping cost goes up.

(If for some strange reason you want more than 100 yards, I will connect you with my vendor.) I'll post this over in classifieds once I'm able to put more time on this side hustle.

Bulldogger
 

NaplesFarmNY

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Back to the top!
It’s taken a while but I am starting to sew again. I’ve acquired a few hundred yards of genuine milspec vinyl so I can better match OEM parts. Color match is a crap shoot for many reasons, but at least this material is waterproof.
I do not have a firm start date for when I will resume production but I am making progress. I’m also developing a curtain/bedcover that I will demo in a separate thread.
I’m also trying to tweak the frame design to eliminate welding, which should save time and embarrassment (my welding is BAD).
Will post in the vendor sponsor section once I’m ready.
Bulldogger
Bulldogger, this fabric slant back top looks fantastic. Glad you are back at it as Im looking for that piece set up on my 1999 M1097A2. Hopefully, you’ll have them available for purchase soon. Questions: Do they have woodland camo fabric available? Or, could you see taking an existing camo bedcover and use the materials to create the slant back cover? Thanks!
 

Bulldogger

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Production on soft slant back kits is resumed, albeit slowly. I am working on OD Green and Desert Tan PVC vinyl kits now. I am also getting set up for sailcloth (civilian convertible top material, like Blue Ox Tops uses and from the same vendor he uses). Message me for pricing.
Bulldogger
 

NaplesFarmNY

New member
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Location
Maryland
Production on soft slant back kits is resumed, albeit slowly. I am working on OD Green and Desert Tan PVC vinyl kits now. I am also getting set up for sailcloth (civilian convertible top material, like Blue Ox Tops uses and from the same vendor he uses). Message me for pricing.
Bulldogger
Excellent! Questions: 1. Which material that you use is the most durable. most flexible (won't crack) and easiest to paint (probably camo)? 2. If I were to want the kit in late May, when would be a good time to place my order? (I'm in Florida through Mid-May) - Thanks for reaching out!!
 

Bulldogger

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Mil-Spec PVC is best if you plan to paint the material. It takes paint very well. Plastic paints or the Rapco CARC 383 substitute that many use to repaint or touch up our trucks works well too. I have painted some samples with Rapco 383 and it looks good.
That said, the most durable material is the civilian sailcloth or stayfast (my vendor sells the Haartz brand). Sailcloth and stayfast are what is used on civilian convertible tops and the H1. However, it only comes in common colors, black, white, brown, tan and so on. There is no OD Green version. Sailcloth is vinyl, Stayfast is actual woven material. I think sailcloth could be painted, but do not know anyone who has tried. That would be an expensive experiment.
The mil spec PVC is the same material used on doors and rear curtains. I have medium weight PVC on hand, but heavy weight can be special ordered. The vendor is very slow to fill small orders like mine though. If you special order I cannot guarantee delivery time.
I am making desert tan PVC covers now, but will switch to OD green after. End of May is not a problem. I will have covers available then. The frames are what take a while.
BDGR

Email me to continue the conversation: madmountainmilitary at earthlink dot net.
 
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