4Runner roof chop.....(was: Who wants to help me take my top off?)

[GLTHFJ60]

Not sure I'll have much time this weekend. My cousin will be in town. Will figure it out later this week.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Got the top finish welded in yesterday and put the glass in!! Slow progress, but we're getting there It's really starting to come together.

 

[cruisermatt]

How weather-proof are you aiming for?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

What do you mean? It's going to be sealed up like a proper pickup bed eventually.

 

[lt1fire]

Looking good guys!!

 

[cruisermatt]

That's what I was getting at, some guys are content with he gaping hole

 

[Fort Knox]

Haven't updated this thread in quite a while. Progress has been slow, mainly due to my schedule at work and trying to spend weekends when I'm not hanging out with you bozo's with the wife to keep up the domestic tranquility. We finished up the bedsides and bondo'ed, sanded, and painted the new rear pillar before GSMTR last year. It didn't help that I broke the frame at GSMTR, which led to quite a bit of work, including the "while we're at it...." timing belt change. So, after the frame repair, I bought the new tires and fixed the exhaust that broke off at Logan's Run. That was pretty much it until this past weekend.

Johnny and I (mostly Johnny) made some significant progress on Saturday. We cut up the donor tailgate and fitted it into the space at the front of the bed under the rear window and made a new lower panel and fitted it...and cut....and fitted it....and cut. Finally, we were able to tack it in place, with the window "installed". Yes, technically the window is still held up by a piece of wood, but once we put in some bracing for the inside structure, we'll bolt in the regulator, wire it up and bingo....working rear window that can go almost half-way down. The important thing is....I was able to park it Saturday night with no tarp over it and even though it drizzled for a while Saturday night, the truck was bone-dry inside Sunday morning!

Remaining checklist is:

• Finish weld panels in place
• Weld and brace inside structure
• Install window regulator and wire to switch
• Make and weld in patch panels to connect pillar to bed sides
• Seam seal, sand, and paint
• Cut down rear tailgate to match height of bed sides

That's pretty much it. Still a bit of work to do, but it feels like we're really in the home stretch!

 

[Fort Knox]

More progress. Made some fill panels to join the pillars to the bed-sides, finish welded the panels under the glass, bondo'd, sanded, primed, and painted. Still a couple of details to finish up, but I REALLY like how it's turning out. Don't get too close or you'll see how mediocre I am at bondo work, even for an accountant.

 

[S4Cruiser]

Nice touch with the spoiler and Toyota emblem!

 

[Fort Knox]

Nice touch with the spoiler and Toyota emblem!

Thanks! And the bird crap on the middle of the spoiler and window. Guess I could’ve cleaned that off before taking pics.

 

[lt1fire]

You know every time this thread comes up I get excited and then get sad...... 5 pages and no Allen with his top off.

 

[JohnVee]

There’s a membership fee for access to those, Al.

 

[Fort Knox]

One of these days I might just surprise ya, Al. It could break the internet!!

 

[lt1fire]

There’s a membership fee for access to those, Al.

you got the patreon address??