Fiberglass Top for my M939 Series Truck? Soliciting Opinions?

[Mullaney]

I am considering a fiberglass top for one of my trucks. I know I can't walk on my convertible top on my truck now, but it seems like a hard top should be rigid. Any thoughts on that? Anybody have one on their machine and think it's great? Or the other way around - maybe it is a bad idea?

I found a steel top that a guy is willing to GIVE me but it has rust and pinholes everywhere. Can't fuss about the price, but bodywork just isn't something that I am good at. I mean with maybe fifty coats of paint and a few gallons of body filler it could be made rain proof. At least until the first time the body flexed a little... I suppose I could fiberglass over the metal and then gelcoat over that... Feels like I would have as much time and money in it as buying a clean top.

Any thoughts pro or con?

 

[simp5782]

I am considering a fiberglass top for one of my trucks. I know I can't walk on my convertible top on my truck now, but it seems like a hard top should be rigid. Any thoughts on that? Anybody have one on their machine and think it's great? Or the other way around - maybe it is a bad idea?

I found a steel top that a guy is willing to GIVE me but it has rust and pinholes everywhere. Can't fuss about the price, but bodywork just isn't something that I am good at. I mean with maybe fifty coats of paint and a few gallons of body filler it could be made rain proof. At least until the first time the body flexed a little... I suppose I could fiberglass over the metal and then gelcoat over that... Feels like I would have as much time and money in it as buying a clean top.

Any thoughts pro or con?

You have to add center ribs to the fiberglass tops or they will break after a good many bumps. The ones Memphis equipment and Midwest military get are from the same company here in Memphis. I tried to get several made but the big companies made a stink. .

These ribs can be several small angle iron pieces bolted to the inside or position them to the wall and overlap with your own fiberglass

 

[Mullaney]

You have to add center ribs to the fiberglass tops or they will break after a good many bumps. The ones Memphis equipment and Midwest military get are from the same company here in Memphis. I tried to get several made but the big companies made a stink. .

These ribs can be several small angle iron pieces bolted to the inside or position them to the wall and overlap with your own fiberglass

Thanks Wes! I found your post about trying to get a mold and build tops back a few years ago. It was a little disheartening to see the greed those folks put on somebody trying to do good for our hobby. I can't help but wonder if there isn't still a market for a high quality fiberglass top... Thing is, I do small fiberglass repairs. I am not the fiberglass guru capable of this kind of work.

I feel sure I could lay in the braces and firm up one of those light weight tops. I found one on ePay for a grand. By the time I gathered glass and rosin my guess is the money would be no less than fifteen hundred and a lot of time invested.

MY WORRY is that if the top is that weak, the back that supports the rear of the top is going to be a weak spot too... More than likely that will need to be ribbed as well and that adds to the cost as well.

.

 

[simp5782]

Thanks Wes! I found your post about trying to get a mold and build tops back a few years ago. It was a little disheartening to see the greed those folks put on somebody trying to do good for our hobby. I can't help but wonder if there isn't still a market for a high quality fiberglass top... Thing is, I do small fiberglass repairs. I am not the fiberglass guru capable of this kind of work.

I feel sure I could lay in the braces and firm up one of those light weight tops. I found one on ePay for a grand. By the time I gathered glass and rosin my guess is the money would be no less than fifteen hundred and a lot of time invested.

MY WORRY is that if the top is that weak, the back that supports the rear of the top is going to be a weak spot too... More than likely that will need to be ribbed as well and that adds to the cost as well.

.

You have to do circle bracing reinforcement.