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I’m considering the unthinkable due to rust…

TOBASH

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My M1025 is my pride and joy BUT the steel turret with leaky turret is creating cancerous rust.

I’m considering swapping off my top and turret for a Plan B Aluminum Slantback without the turret.

I will keep the original slantback and top on dry storage along with the turret and support and roof, however I will lose the leaks and the cancer that is destroying the value of my steel top and pulling welds apart.

Thoughts?
 
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Mogman

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Nice top! almost 10K delivered but what the heck if you get it on and like it you can recoup maybe all or more on your steel one depending on how it is set up.
 

TOBASH

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Slantback section = $6,542
4-man roof = $2,442
Shipping could be near $1000 per their site
WOW that is pricey!
But it will give a rear window, be water tight, hold heat and will look terrific. It will accept a custom roll cage also. Finally, I will be able to add a proper electric custom sunroof.
 

Mullaney

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No garage as per current HOA discrimination. Going to build a garage at work for my toys.
.
HOA's are a good thing for some - and then there are the rest of us - who think that what we bought and paid for should be ours to do with as we please. Crummy part is those pesky covenants attached to your title (deed) that has the HOA rules aren't going away.

I would save your lawyer money and invest it where your office is located. Having a nice big garage sure would be sweet! Much less frustrating too...
 
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nattieleather

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Well if your going to be able to garage it in the future then my thought is to repair the top you have. Look into some type of gasket to seal the turret up when not in use and then park that thing in your new garage once it's built. Or not it's your truck.
 

T9000

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I am no specialist, but like Action said, I would try to fix the old one. You have to take it off anyways to install the new one.

IMO, for the money, the aftermarket one should have no gaskets showing around the windows to match the hard doors for a clean appearance, it makes it look like a cheap and lazy design. Also the two top hinges should be internal or different design and not show.

Not sure if it is applicable to your truck, there are some videos on YouTube made by Predator where they install a similar aftermarket slantback and they have to fabricate some brackets and make some mods because it didn't fit out of the box.


And there is some probability/ risk that you may not like the final look and fit when seeing it in person.

It sounds like your real motivator/ pain point is having a window/ windows in the back and a sunroof, and the rust may just be a justification to get there?

I have not seen your truck, but how about finding a local prototype metal fabrication shop (somewhere within driving distance so you can be there in person to get every detail ironed out from the beginning and watch their progress closely in case there was any miscommunication - lots of flexibility and options - I have some customers that do 3D printing in copper for some rocket parts even for production, not just prototypes because it costs less than making molds - not that it is applicable to this case, but my point is that protorype shops have a lot of tools that may be a better fit) to add a window/ windows (without showing the gasket, maybe emboss the edge and fit it under the window, which would be attached from the outside, to fit flush with the sponson and/ or hatch surface, you could even add electric tilt if you really wanted, and would still cost less and look better) to your existing setup and have them make you the top part duplicate to fit but from aluminum and with the cut for the sunroof instead.
 
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Action

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I see that a lot of aftermarket roofs are solid mounted to all pillars. AMG used rubber mounts front and rear. The body flexes.
I wonder if aftermarket roofs pop or make noise as they buckle.
 

TOBASH

Father, Surgeon, Cantankerous Grouch
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Thanks guys. I prefer the look of the M1025/M1045 BUT water leakage in a salt beach area is killing things.

I will remove and restore what I have. No worries there. I will upgrade with Aluminum too and use for a while while I fix things. Then I’m planning on buying a second rig and the Aluminum top will get a second life.
 
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