Soft top from scratch

[tobyS]

Sorry to hear tobyS. Hope your thumb ad projects recover quickly.
BDGR

Thanks. It happened about the time I stopped in this thread, so has had some recovery. I refuse not to use it. Arthritis is bad. I did get the A3 on the axle as the above photo shows.

 

[oddshot]

Please continue this thread with your experiences. At some point I'll have more to offer. I really like the idea of developing patterns.

I guess I'm going to pick it up from here, but I have mixed feelings about needing to lose a thumb to get it done. I've had both of them for some time now, and I guess you could say they've kinda grown on me.

I'm ordering the material today. By my measurements, I'll need 5 yards to do a top.

As I progress I will firm up the measurements and share measured drawings.

Don't expect a lot to happen right away. I have what they tell me is "Swans Neck Deformity" on 6 of 10 fingers. I go to a Rheumatologist tomorrow for his final report, which I *think* is going to be good ... meaning the fingers CAN be repaired. Then hopefully back to the hand surgeon.

 

[sue]

I guess I'm going to pick it up from here, but I have mixed feelings about needing to lose a thumb to get it done. I've had both of them for some time now, and I guess you could say they've kinda grown on me.

I'm ordering the material today. By my measurements, I'll need 5 yards to do a top.

As I progress I will firm up the measurements and share measured drawings.

Don't expect a lot to happen right away. I have what they tell me is "Swans Neck Deformity" on 6 of 10 fingers. I go to a Rheumatologist tomorrow for his final report, which I *think* is going to be good ... meaning the fingers CAN be repaired. Then hopefully back to the hand surgeon.

We had a M35A3, canvas top. Of course it was old.
Looked, measured and made a great top out of
aluminum. Turned out better than we ever expected.
Made it a little taller, made a little center console,
with a dome and map lights. If I knew how to post pictures ( old and seriously computer challenged)
If someone messaged us We have pictures on our
phones that someone could post.
We have had people ask us if it was a Canadian A3
Because it looks factory. We’re not skilled but got lucky.

 

[oddshot]

If I knew how to post pictures ( old and seriously computer challenged)
If someone messaged us We have pictures on our
phones that someone could post.

I'd be interested to see and help post the pictures. PM on the way.

 

[sue]

I'd be interested to see and help post the pictures. PM on the way.

And???? If you want to learn to sew, look up
“Sail right” sewing machines, bought one a few years ago and I have never used a sewing machine before.
We have used it for seat covers, convertible tops, tool, gun cases etc. can’t believe the stuff it will sew.

 

[sue]

One word sailrite

We had a M35A3, canvas top. Of course it was old.
Looked, measured and made a great top out of
aluminum. Turned out better than we ever expected.
Made it a little taller, made a little center console,
with a dome and map lights. If I knew how to post pictures ( old and seriously computer challenged)
If someone messaged us We have pictures on our
phones that someone could post.
We have had people ask us if it was a Canadian A3
Because it looks factory. We’re not skilled but got lucky.

 

[sue]

One word sailrite

View attachment 909632View attachment 909632

 

[sue]

 

[sue]

View attachment 909633View attachment 909633

Guys we’re sorry but just trying to “upload? “
Some pictures of the metal top we made

 

[sue]

Guys we’re sorry but just trying to “upload? “
Some pictures of the metal top we made

 

[sue]

View attachment 909634View attachment 909634

 

[sue]

 

[sue]

View attachment 909635

Yea the granddaughter likes blue

 

[sue]

Yea the granddaughter likes blue

 

[cattlerepairman]

That roof is exactly the right combo of sophisticated and crude looks that makes it appear bone stock! You certainly know what you are doing when fabricating; "luck" had little to do with the outcome; this looks very well and precisely made.

The cab interior roof HAS to be blue, because who is going to argue with a granddaughter?

 

[oddshot]

I have been advised that a product called HH-66 Vinyl Cement is a good adhesive for my "build a top" project. I did a search and it's easily available (ebay, Amazon, et cetera) in various size containers having various prices.

I'm going to give it a try and will report back.

I am going to sew the vinyl to the front and side hard rubber channel ... things ... using the Speedy Stitcher with T90 thread..

 

[NaplesFarmNY]

What kind of material are you looking for specifically? 1000D (Denier = the weight) Cordura nylon is easy to get in quantity. I like the seller textile_specialist on eBay for their prices and selection. They sell in bulk and by the yard. My early HMMWV soft slant backs were all made from this material. Ballistic nylon (roughly 1400 Denier) can also be had. I DO NOT recommend using ballistic nylon for a soft top though. It shrinks badly in the sun, and loosens badly when wet. Great for knapsacks maybe, but lousy for large items. I used it on a prototype soft slant back cover and was very disappointed.
If you're looking for the PVC vinyl that current military soft tops are made from that is never available by the yard that I have found. That said, I bought 70 yards of OD green and >100 yards of desert tan last year, and I'm happy to sell it by the yard if desired. I have several yards of tan and OD green 1000D Cordura left over as well. For that matter I have a little OD and black ballistic nylon too, but don't recommend them.
The member Valence on here has had some surplus GI OD green canvas duck from time to time, and still might. Treated with thinned silicone caulking it would be very waterproof (thin it in naptha, there are plenty of YouTube videos on it). I saw some in an online catalog for some surplus store somewhere too.
Let me know if I can help you.
Bulldogger

Bulldogger - Hello - I have been following your posts Re the fabric slant-back kits that you've designed. They look fantastic! Two weeks ago, I finally received my Maryland title and registration for the 1999 HMMWV M1097A2 (Historic plates). My truck has the pop-up bedcover that I was looking to replace with a tonneau cover but having a hard time locating anything that would actually fit snuggly. When I saw what you had designed, I was intrigued. Your posts a month ago mentioned you might be starting to sell them soon. Wondering if that time has arrived? Also, I asked this question but not positive it posted: Do they sell woodland camo fabric to use in your design or, if you took a large camo bedcover could you use that material? I'd like to keep the camo look if I retain the woodland camo paint...I am considering a desert tan repaint in the Spring, however. In any case, great work on your end! I'd be curious to know what you are selling them for and, as we are both in the DC area, I could eliminate the shipping cost and pick it up locally. Thank you and be safe!

 

[Adrok]

Love the hard top fabrication. I'm looking for alternatives for my M35.

Any advice or details on the process? Any particular challenges you had to over comes?

Any thoughts or advice from ANYONE is appreciated.
Newer member, sorry if this in a bad post

 

[sue]

Love the hard top fabrication. I'm looking for alternatives for my M35.

Any advice or details on the process? Any particular challenges you had to over comes?

Any thoughts or advice from ANYONE is appreciated.
Newer member, sorry if this in a bad post

We are at Amelia island right now ( right now) will be back home in a week or so.
if you IM us after that can take better pictures and answer any questions.
Yes we are very happy that we went metal, over canvas.
going thru brush and tree limbs,rain etc.
and really isn’t that hard to make.

 

[sue]

Love the hard top fabrication. I'm looking for alternatives for my M35.

Any advice or details on the process? Any particular challenges you had to over comes?

Any thoughts or advice from ANYONE is appreciated.
Newer member, sorry if this in a bad post