Soft Top Field Expedient Emergency Repair???

[Ferroequinologist]

I fixed my first trucks soft top- and I had the plastic for the front. It sucked, and didn't last very long. The plastic itself fell apart a few months later.

 

[oddshot]

The final piece of the puzzle. This has been what I have been looking for.

See picture below.

Now that I see it ... I can make it!

At least two different ways!

Now I got to get busy.

Let's see what this old Goat comes up with.

Ferroequinologist
SSSG-G4
USAFSS-Cold Warrior

and an OUT STANDING young Sailor ... mdmorgan (Not to shabby, Navy! For an airdale)

... many, many thanks.

When I get back I promise to put together a proper thread on fixing perfectly good tops.

With pictures and drawings!

oddshot

 

[KsM715]

I had to fix my soft top this weekend after I swapped the hard top to my bobber project and the softtop on to the M818. The stitching let go when I pulled the top off. I went with zipties, I had most of the plastic left, I lost the last foot of it on the pass. side. Luckily this is only a qwik fix just to keep the snow and rain out of the cab till I can get a new top ordered.

I wouldnt have know what to do if it weren't for this thread.

 

[oddshot]

I wouldn't have know what to do if it weren't for this thread.

Thank your for the kind post ... I'm glad that everything worked out for you.

I picked up mine ... and drove back over 600 miles from Maryland to NoGa ... no problems with the top ... and with the heater I was fairly comfortable. I only had to wear my field jacket with its liner ... and a pair of leather driving gloves.

The whole process wasn't so much of a "recovery" as it was a "pick it up and drive it home". I will post pictures ... and some other thoughts for repairing and taking care of soft tops ... now that I've seen the bits required to fit the front of the top.

After 35 years of dealing with MGB (and other Brit sports car) soft tops ... the one on the Deuce is a piece of cake.

BTW ... the top on the Deuce goes up almost EXACTLY like the "take down top" found on the 1964 to 1967 MGB roadster... right on down to the steel hoops and such. When you drive the thing ... except for the diesel smell ... you would think you're in an old MG.

oddshot

 

[mdmorgan]

Glad you got it figured out and glad to hear your trip went well.

 

[SCSG-G4]

oddshot,
Glad you made it home with minimal issues. Now put the GA Rally (Oct 19-23, 2011) on your calendar!

 

[oddshot]

Glad you got it figured out and glad to hear your trip went well.

Thank you for your kind assistance!!!

BZ's to all hands, your lovely wife and little dog too!

oddshot


BTW ... the gauges in the truck work fine (except for the fuel gauge) ... the previous owner just didn't know to tap them with a knuckle or screwdriver handle.

 

[SCSG-G4]

Finally found the pics of my soft top cab repair with the pop rivets.

 

[oddshot]

Finally found the pics of my soft top cab repair with the pop rivets.

+1 on the thanks ...

I will be saving these pictures fro future reference.

oddshot

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

New Challenge for SOFT TOP Repair

OK, Thread Subscribers.....

Our Deuce came with a "new" (although probably OLD STOCK) INSULATED Soft Top.

We've had the deuce for 11 months and have always had dry foam insulation "dust" peppering the cab interior as the insulation "decomposed" and shook out with driving/vibration.

It seems that the adhesive used to stick the foam to the outer shell, and the perforated inner lining to the foam is also failing.

Over both doors, the perforated inner lining is now detaching and the drivers side is now torn.

Has anyone got any good technical advice for repairs

Options other than replacement of the SOFT TOP or upgrade to a HARD TOP would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[oddshot]

I'm sure the military would probably replace the top.

But ... since the shell is good ... I HATE to waste it.

How about something like this:

Dynamat 10425 Dynamat Xtreme Insulation

or an automotive under-hood insulation blanket. You could find them at anyplace like Jegs or Summit.

When the stock heat blanket went bad in my wife's car went bad ... that's what I used ... and its held up fine.

Of course ... you would have to remove the top ... and strip out ALL the old material and glue.

I guess once you got it all fitted ... you could paint the inside with any of the new vinyl spray paints.

I willing to bet that it would give better sound and heat insulation than the of foam.

Just a thought.

oddshot

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

I'm sure the military would probably replace the top.

But ... since the shell is good ... I HATE to waste it.

How about something like this:

Dynamat 10425 Dynamat Xtreme Insulation

or an automotive under-hood insulation blanket. You could find them at anyplace like Jegs or Summit.

When the stock heat blanket went bad in my wife's car went bad ... that's what I used ... and its held up fine.

Of course ... you would have to remove the top ... and strip out ALL the old material and glue.

I guess once you got it all fitted ... you could paint the inside with any of the new vinyl spray paints.

I willing to bet that it would give better sound and heat insulation than the of foam.

Just a thought.

oddshot

oddshot :

Thanks for the GREAT suggestion.

I was thinking of "going topless" in a few weeks anyway, (Never owned a "convertible" until the Deuce came along ) so having the shell removed and available for REHAB is kinda convenient.

While the top is off, I also need to tweek the bows (where they insert into the windshield frame) and do some surface-rust-remediation as well

It should be nicer and nicer weather here as winter fades to spring.... I think I'll buy some GOGGLES and let the WIND BLOW THROUGH MY (thinning/graying) HAIR

 

[oddshot]

I was thinking of "going topless" in a few weeks anyway...

Yeah...

or maybe you could rig up some type of "bikini top".

I've since I heard the name "bikini top" ... I've kinda had fantasies of reachin' up and slipping it off ...

real slow and easy like ....


If you think about it a spell ... it starts makin' ya feel

... naughty.


oddshot

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Yeah...

or maybe you could rig up some type of "bikini top".

I've since I heard the name "bikini top" ... I've kinda had fantasies of reachin' up and slipping it off ...

real slow and easy like ....


If you think about it a spell ... it starts makin' ya feel

... naughty.


oddshot

- - - - - >

I believe we can all now understand why you chose the name "oddshot"

Thanks for the input on the bikini top, but I think I'll pass for now.

You DO raise an interesting conceptual idea.... Has anyone seen/made/sold bikini tops for these trucks

 

[oddshot]

I believe we can all now understand why you chose the name "oddshot"

Yep ... I'm a bit "unusual"!

I can usually find something to laugh about ... but have a VERY low tolerance for people of the opposite mindset.



The name is actually a lyric from a VERY old (and some what "odd") Tom Paxton song from back during the Vietnam War.

I guess the odd thing about the song ... it ain't some anti-war, anti-politic song.

It called Vietnam Talking Blues ... you could look it up on YouTube.

I posted the vid ... but then had second thoughts about the wisdom of doing such ... so I deleted the vid.

No sense pi**in' off the Mary Kay Ladies.



oddshot

 

[Recovry4x4]

Cranetruck made and uses a bikini top on his deuce almost year round. I'm sure a little creative searching can bring up some info.

 

[cranetruck]

Cranetruck made and uses a bikini top on his deuce almost year round. I'm sure a little creative searching can bring up some info.

For sure and loving it. Goes for the 8x8 also...

 

[mendo]

for a super temp emergency, you may be able to use this tape:

Sail Patch Tape - Duluth Trading Company

If you can get a piece on each side it hold pretty good. (for awhile)

 

[stancanpara]

The info in this thread for top repair is PRICELESS Using vinyl siding is ingenious!!! I've tried a bunch of tech-niches that didn't work so well.... this is GREAT!!!

thanks everyone for the great info!!!!

 

[3rdmdqm]

Ok, the weather broke and I finally got off my lazy tail and took some picures. I took a piece of vinyl siding pictured. Cut only to about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide and use the channel portion at the bottom. I then took pliobond and secured the siding to the top edge. I then took 1/8th inch large flange aluminum rivets along with a 1/8 inch back up plate (washer) and riveted the top in place about every 12 inches. Then painted the rivets same color as top and has held/worked great ever since. Also more information in this thread http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/43158-soft-top-repair.html