Dented hardtop fix

[Spook556]

Some large individual must have jumped on my hardtop at some point; it is somewhat dented in. It is a shallow dent, but pretty much across the whole width of the top. It seems to me that I can push up on it and just "pop" it (mostly) back into shape.

Has anybody got any experience with this? Does it work, should I not do it, is there anything I should do to make sure I don't break something? It is okay as it is; I would rather not risk breaking something if there is a big chance of that.

Thanks!


Spook

 

[Flyingvan911]

Mine is also dented down. I am thinking about a couple of 2x4's and a jack.

 

[Recovry4x4]

As long as the top is not significantly rusted, lay on back on seat, raise lags to top, push!

 

[KsM715]

Mine is also dented down. I am thinking about a couple of 2x4's and a jack.

Thats what I did to mine. A short scrap piece of 2x12 on the drivers box seat, (dent was above the drivers seat and to the rear) the bottle jack on that and a 4x4x1/4 piece of steel on top of the jack and a 2x6 on that and just worked it around till most of the dent was out. Mine has a slight crease in the right next to the corner, I couldnt do much about that but I'm happy with the results of the rest of the top.

 

[Flyingvan911]

Mine has some rust but nowhere close to rusting through. I'm going to repaint this summer.

 

[ODdave]

"Has anybody got any experience with this?"

Pretty shure its was a "quality control" test performed during production- "fat guy jumps on roof"

 

[Derrickl112]

my NOS top was hit by a forklift... left a good size dent in it and bent in the side. all it took was some wood, a bottle jack, and about 20 minutes to make it disappear. now you cant even tell it was there.

 

[clinto]

Voila.

 

[juddspaintballs]

I laid on my back on the bench seat and pushed mine back up with my feet. Worked beautifully.

 

[R Racing]

I need to do this on 2 of my 5 tons. Looks like it must be some sorta test lol.

 

[Spook556]

I think I have the procedure. Some wood... check. A bottle of Jack... check. Laying on the seat and pushing up... okay, cab is spinning now.


Thanks, everybody. I think I can git 'er done, now.


Spook

 

[91W350]

My son and I sat in the seats and shoulder pressed mine back up with our hands. We made a huge improvement. I think the bottle jack and 4x4 is probably much better. Glen

 

[wreckerman893]

The most common cause of "hardtop dent syndrome" was hauling camo net and concertina wire on the roof of the deuce. It was the best place to carry it where it didn't interfere with cargo loading and unloading and kept you from getting cut to pieces by that "devil wire".

It was not uncommon to see them in the motor pool with the wire and camo net already loaded on there.

 

[steelandcanvas]

It was the best place to carry it where it didn't interfere with cargo loading and unloading and kept you from getting cut to pieces by that "devil wire".

Back in the day we cut a piece of plywood to fit across the 1st and 2nd cargo cover bows, secured it to the bows, put the cargo cover back on, and placed the camo net on top of the cover. It was real nice to be able to unfold the camo net in four different directions and have the truck covered in no time, the 'ol First Shirt liked that.

 

[hdmax]

Looks like a surgeon doing the afternoon operation even had medical gloves.

Voila.

 

[Parker2]

Mine was dented in when I bought it. I just leaned it up against the wall and gave it a couple of good donkey kicks and it's as good as new.

 

[boomer]

reply

That's funny Dave.

"Has anybody got any experience with this?"

Pretty shure its was a "quality control" test performed during production- "fat guy jumps on roof"

 

[dabtl]

I went to Northern Tool and got one of their low cost hydraulic ram kits. I used that with 20 ton jacks and some lumber to straighten my roof.

The work went well, I learned about bending metal back into place and the ram kit was very flexible when the jack could not work because of space or angle limitations.

The most difficult dent was at the point where the mirror attaches to the cowl. Apparently, the mirror had been pushed in an inch or so there. The ram kit had the pieces to take advantage of every steering column spot and the dent came out nicely. It is almost not noticeable even without doing body work.

 

[Oilleaker1]

I did mine too, porta power with blocks of wood. Do a little at a time. Don't push it all at once. Raise it up, and tap around the area to set the metal. Don't jack up on the bands, jack to each side of them. If you jack up on the round rivit/bolts of the bands, they will make a outside outie or bolt dent!!!! A big rubber hammer worked on the side dents, worst part is the foam insulating liner gets ripped a little. That flat military paint will hide most of the problem, heck even runs look good! John

 

[AN/ARC186]

"Pretty shure its was a "quality control" test performed during production- "fat guy jumps on roof"

This would explain the handwritten sign I found tucked into the insulation of my hardtop that simply stated.....

"No Fat Chicks"