TECH REQUEST........Radshit's carson-style truck top.......

[Farmer]

Hey Neal.....Can you post a short how-to on your White top on the truck you showed me when I was there? Some pics too if you could....thanks man!

[Radshit]

I can post a couple pics for you...except I didn't take as many as I would have liked too.....of the build up....but here goes. I started off building a frame that matched the contour of the body-
-the top of the winshield frame
-the contour of the top of the doors
-and the back of the cab.

I made a square tube from two pieces of angle and slot cut the bottom to make the bends. That was the battom of the frame that mated to the back of tha cab. Then I used a piece of strap to wrap around the outside of the body to give the backside of the top a better seal....from wind noise and moisture.

I used 3/4 inch square tubing around the sides from the back side part of the frame to form the opening around the door glass......that follows the contour of the door....up to the front the flat metal that attaches to the winsheild header......

For the bows I used solid 1/2 rod and formed the shape to match the curve of the header above the front windshield.....For a truck, the weight of the soild rod is minimal......if it was for a car, I probably would of used tubing......

I used a few pieces of 1/2 inch square tubing to make supports between the bows.....

Then I covered the frame with 1/2 inch wire mesh, I believe they call it hardware mesh.....but don't quote me....

I tacked the mesh down in 1 1/2 to 2 inch intervals maybe less in the corners where the mesh is wrapped tight around the bends.

After the frame work was done, I took the top to my local upholsterer and had him use padding and white vinyl... The top is getting redone though.....

After the trip to MOKAN I found out the shortcomings of the front attachments and will have the uphosterer recover the top a little better in the front.....

[Radshit]

I sloped the top down towards the rear of the truck to give it more of a custom look.....as opposed to the hot rod forward rake....

[Radshit]

Here is a side shot....

[Radshit]

A look from behind..

[Farmer]

Thanks Neal! that top is sick! way better imo than those $3000 dollar "bop tops" that is what I want to put on my future rpu. i have yet to see one like it.

[Radshit]

Thanks John...I have a glass back window....and the total cost was about $150 bones......

[lulabelle]

So What has a cool looking top on his 48.I don't have pics,but,hopefully he'll see this and show ya.