- 1,954
- 401
- 68
- Location
- Culver City, CA
My old three color camo soft top became a little beat up and was not good enough to be my primary cab covering. I replaced it with a solid OD top about a year and a half ago. However, the camo top was not bad off enough to trash it. I decided that a “bikini” (AKA bimini) or half top would be a good idea. Sun protection from the top but open in the rear for nice ventilation on hot days. As we all know the cab top pillars fit to the cab tub by gravity alone, so I had concerns of the top becoming “airborne” at speed. I decided I would tie down the top to the cab tub via a grommet/rubber tie down system.
I started by cutting the rear vertical/window portion off and disposed of that portion. I cut just below the “welded” seam that parallels the bottom bow on the support system. The original colors looking faded and some threading showing through on thin spots; I painted it Rapco 383 Green. I bought a ½” brass grommet kit (available at most hardware stores) for top securement. I installed six grommets roughly corresponding with the hooks along the rear of the cab top. The grommets were installed through the welded seem for extra strength.
The tie-downs are made from 5/16” super rope (polyurethane cord) McMaster-Carr part # 3961T3, same type found issue cab tops and cargo covers, and nylon adjustable hooks, McMaster-Carr part #3862T2. The two outer cords are approximately 52” long and the center is 68” measured from the inner side of hook. The hooks can also be used with regular bungee cord material and are adjustable.
The top attaches to the windshield channel, snaps and turn buttons in the normal full cab top fashion. I attached the outer cords (52”ers) using the outer most cab hooks and the outer most two top grommets on each side. The inner cord (68”er) attached to the center cab hooks and top grommets in an “X” pattern. The hooks interfere with the bows slightly, but not enough to be ineffective.
I started by cutting the rear vertical/window portion off and disposed of that portion. I cut just below the “welded” seam that parallels the bottom bow on the support system. The original colors looking faded and some threading showing through on thin spots; I painted it Rapco 383 Green. I bought a ½” brass grommet kit (available at most hardware stores) for top securement. I installed six grommets roughly corresponding with the hooks along the rear of the cab top. The grommets were installed through the welded seem for extra strength.
The tie-downs are made from 5/16” super rope (polyurethane cord) McMaster-Carr part # 3961T3, same type found issue cab tops and cargo covers, and nylon adjustable hooks, McMaster-Carr part #3862T2. The two outer cords are approximately 52” long and the center is 68” measured from the inner side of hook. The hooks can also be used with regular bungee cord material and are adjustable.
The top attaches to the windshield channel, snaps and turn buttons in the normal full cab top fashion. I attached the outer cords (52”ers) using the outer most cab hooks and the outer most two top grommets on each side. The inner cord (68”er) attached to the center cab hooks and top grommets in an “X” pattern. The hooks interfere with the bows slightly, but not enough to be ineffective.
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