Bodywork/patch panels - opinions on what’s salvageable

[RWBeringer4x4]

Ok, so I guess for the time being I will stick to door patches, skip the tub and sill patches until I’m ready to actually work on the tub, and save that money to buy some new hard top sides in mine wind up being irreparable.

To this following along who have done body work - particularly on the tops, realistically, is my hard top worth saving?

 

[archie73]

If your fiberglass is in good shape or fixable(in your eyes), then shipping the just the sides should be easier to swallow. Either way, it's gonna get broken down for shipping and put on a pallet.

Funny story about shipping one- At one point I had visions of making a half-cab top back in 1999 or so (pre kid). The sticking point was that I didn't want to cut my top, so I found a top for sale in eastern Oregon. Perfect, I had a friend driving out and back, so I set up the sale. When my friend delivered it, I was impressed the little Nissan truck still ran. I had assumed he would break it down and strap the fiberglass to the roof... Instead, he strapped it to the roof fully assembled -facing forward! It was a giant scoop!!! He had borrowed the truck for the trip. Owner of said truck said it was down to a quart of oil from pushing the hardtop in that position. When I rolled the top upside down to get a better look at it, a couple hypodermic needles rolled out of the inner "gutter", so it obviously had multiple uses at one point.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

If your fiberglass is in good shape or fixable(in your eyes), then shipping the just the sides should be easier to swallow. Either way, it's gonna get broken down for shipping and put on a pallet.

Funny story about shipping one- At one point I had visions of making a half-cab top back in 1999 or so (pre kid). The sticking point was that I didn't want to cut my top, so I found a top for sale in eastern Oregon. Perfect, I had a friend driving out and back, so I set up the sale. When my friend delivered it, I was impressed the little Nissan truck still ran. I had assumed he would break it down and strap the fiberglass to the roof... Instead, he strapped it to the roof fully assembled -facing forward! It was a giant scoop!!! He had borrowed the truck for the trip. Owner of said truck said it was down to a quart of oil from pushing the hardtop in that position. When I rolled the top upside down to get a better look at it, a couple hypodermic needles rolled out of the inner "gutter", so it obviously had multiple uses at one point.

I bought a lot of parts from a guy in Philly who was unloading his land cruiser a couple of years ago. In that pile were two fiberglass tops with salvageable drip rails. They've been buried in my basement ever since. I'm guessing the drip rail on my original top is shot, but between the 3 roofs, I should be able to build at least one solid replacement. Plus, the drip-rails seems relatively easy to patch.

That's a good story about the hard top sides. That is a LOT of drag... The guy delivered the roofs to me had them strapped to a canoe mount hanging over both sides of his small pickup (Tacoma, I believe). Sucks about the needles - that's something we have to worry about around here too. It's a big problem in my county.

In short, really, it's just the sides I (might) need, but I suppose I'll withhold judgement until I get them off the truck. The rot is bad, but this truck really only gets driven in warm weather anyway, so if I spend a few years patching it's not the end of the world. The real question is whether or not there will be anything left to patch to along the top and bottom.

 

[archie73]

In short, really, it's just the sides I (might) need, but I suppose I'll withhold judgement until I get them off the truck. The rot is bad, but this truck really only gets driven in warm weather anyway, so if I spend a few years patching it's not the end of the world. The real question is whether or not there will be anything left to patch to along the top and bottom.

This is where I’m at right now. My top is in ok condition, but needs a lot of attention. This truck gets taken off the road when they start laying down the magchloride. This means mid October to April/May I plan to pull the tub and fix the rust in the cowl. Hopefully, this means painting as well.
I even bought a used soft top in regards to having a top until I get around to the top. Seems like I only ever use the bikini top though, so maybe it was a bit of a waste.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

This is where I’m at right now. My top is in ok condition, but needs a lot of attention. This truck gets taken off the road when they start laying down the magchloride. This means mid October to April/May I plan to pull the tub and fix the rust in the cowl. Hopefully, this means painting as well.
I even bought a used soft top in regards to having a top until I get around to the top. Seems like I only ever use the bikini top though, so maybe it was a bit of a waste.

I’ll probably be placing an order for door skins shortly, and will likely pick up a bolt on tailgate as well. I will also probably grab a bikini top at some point. I already have a set of the sweet “safety straps” to replace the doors with. Since it’s a summer truck, that should let me work on the top and doors for as long as they take, while still getting good use out of it. I’d be interested to see some pictures of your hard top. Sounds like you plan to fix it, I’d be interested to know what you’re starting from.

Same goes to anyone else who has repaired a top - anyone have before and after pics to serve as motivation?