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Soft top from scratch

tobyS

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Today samples of canvas came and so did the ballistic nylon. I was not impressed with the canvas 10oz samples but it gave me some materials to plan the front folds with the steel overhang and screw locations. Enough for 2 layers of 12 oz cotton canvas is on it's way, thus I will have 2 inner layers canvas + one outer layer ballistic nylon + insulation. Only the 18oz seemed worthy of using without the outer BN.

Tomorrow I'll get the "duck bill" 14 ga metal strip 2x2 with 30* bend and a 3/4" strip to sandwich all the material. Was planning rivets but stainless small bolts are sounding better. My fold will result in doubled BN + 2 layers of canvas folded over....so about 1/4" thick of canvas and nylon to sandwich and hold on the bottom of the duck bill . I'm leaving enough nylon to be doubled back (10") under the outer layer for reinforcement.

This thing should stretch very tight and have plenty of padding on the leading edge. I will round the steel edge and may put other protection on the edge that (4) layers wrap around.

I may be able to similarly anchor the back with steel strips to pull against, to make it tight.
 
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tobyS

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Plan is to put a stainless steel rod in the front to be able to pull against. i don't have that yet to head off to the tarp sewing shop yet, but I have the canvas and BN. The amount of wrap will be long enough to come back around on it'self about 6", making the front edge around the duckbill and the top of the window frame have 6 layers of material there, which I can pull against rather tight....I think.
 

Bulldogger

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tobyS, just to share, I was searching for rain channel weatherstripping or something like it and discovered a product from TRIM-Lok that is a peel and stick PVC plastic rain channel just under 1" tall. Might be of interest to you. It's available on Amazon, search for TRIM LOK Drip Rail.
I might get some myself.
BDGR
 

tobyS

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Thanks BDGR. Originally that was very much like what I wanted. I will think about it as it will likely stick to the BN...but I'm not sure it would stick to the outside with the waterproofing over the BN. It would probably go on before waterproofing if at all

Where would it run to, off the sides on the front and behind the door on the side? I kinda chose to just have a drip edge that gets it out a little further and not to collect and channel it. It's something to consider.

This part (top) is delayed as I'm getting rear suspension together (and winter weather). I need to go by the spring factory and see if they have some scrap .300 wire for more top bow rods... or buy a CR stick or 2 of 5/16".
 
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Bulldogger

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I will think about it as it will likely stick to the BN...but I'm not sure it would stick to the outside with the waterproofing over the BN. It would probably go on before waterproofing if at all
Where would it run to, off the sides on the front and behind the door on the side? I kinda chose to just have a drip edge that gets it out a little further and not to collect and channel it. It's something to consider.
I wouldn't trust the adhesive myself since it is intended to stick to flat fiberglass or aluminum siding on RVs. I'm sure it does a decent job for which it was intended, but anytime I use something in a non-standard application I like to over-engineer it.
In that case I'd use rivets or drill small holes and physically stitch some support in at the edges and every 6" or so, and I think I'd use a bit of silicone caulking between the strip and the top, if I was doing it.
Bulldogger
 
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oddshot

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I did a search for "vinyl top material" and came up with this very old thread. If digging up the old and dead ... go ahead and pile on.

Otherwise, did any of this M35a2 soft top repair go any where?

Does anybody know where I can find information on the vinyl material ( or what ever works) used in this type of project?

Thanks.

T.
 
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Bulldogger

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I did a search for "vinyl top material" and came up with this very old thread. If digging up the old and dead ... go ahead and pile on.

Otherwise, did any of this M35a2 soft top repair go any where?

Does anybody know where I can find information on the vinyl material ( or what ever works) used in this type of project?

Thanks.

T.
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
 

oddshot

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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.

Let me know if I can help you.
Bulldogger

Ignore my post on the other site.

Yes, the military PVC vinyl is what I'm looking for.!


P.M. OUT.

THANK YOU

T.
 
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oddshot

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Bulldogger

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The material you are looking for is manufactured by Herculite.

Yes, according to their website Herculite military fabric meets MIL-PRF-20696, which is the governing mil standard for fabric performance. My source makes their textiles to the same standard. But I appreciate that lead 87cr250r, because maybe if I call Herculite it will turn out they will sell in small lots, and not 100-200 yard rolls. Probably not, but I can dream...
BDGR

Edit, Update: Herculite indeed sell their Mil-Spec fabric to the public, but in 50 yard rolls and they are out of all three colors (green, tan and OD Green) until sometime in 2024. Hmmph!
 
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tobyS

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The top project stalled.

While plating the frame of my M35A3 project with a 10' long 11"x3"x1/4", the brace I had holding the sheet near in place shifted and the sheet tried to remove my right thumb, up against the rear tire. It crushed as I ripped out.... but saved the thumb. The A3 project sets.

I hate to, but I am selling my M929A2 to fund projects, like the A3 and a couple of trailers.

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

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