Hard Top Removal

[azsteve]

As you may know, I would like to have both the soft and hard top options for my Patrol. Currently it has a hard top on a softy body and I only have a few pieces of the original softy tarpaulin frame, the rest will need to be copied from some friendly (temporary) donor or bought outright (...or something else? suggestions?). But that is for another posting.

This post is about the hard top. It appears that a PO of my Patrol did a few spot welds at the four corners where the hard top attaches to the side panels. I intend to cut through those welds (have not yet done so) and then resto the hard top and side panels piece by piece.

My questions are these:

If you have a hard top and remove it from time to time, what is the process you follow?
How long does it take, whether in one piece or multiple?
Is it easier/more practical to take off the top and side panels in one piece?
If so, it might make more sense for me to reattach the two (permanently) after seperation and resto.

Any estimates of total/individual weights?
I have wondered about the weight of the top/side panel assembly. I'm a pretty strong guy and if it's under 200 total I think I could handle an all-in-one removal on my back. If it saves a half hour it's worth some grunting and sweating to me.

What kind of buffer is required between the roof and side panels?
I dont see any mention of a gasket/moulding/fender welting/weatherstripping in the parts catalogs that I have access to.
Maybe I missed it, but if not, can it really be just metal to metal without a buffer? Seems to me to be a recipe for squeaking/clanging, even if firmly bolted together.

[miksum56]

I took mine off my 64 in one piece. Just made sure I broke the seal with spacers as I went around. When free I grabbed a couple neighbors and set her on some blocks. One item of note is that the windshield hinges will freeze up if hardtop has been on too long. Mine were in 2 pieces (broke) from a P.O. who left them like that when putting top back on. I replaced the hinges and applied a liberal amount of that gray anti seize bolt stuff. If your hinges are not broken but are frozen up get em hot with a torch to free up. I would use campershell type generic foam gasket that you can get at any hardware store to remount. Avoid metal to metal. They are heavier than they look. Good luck!

[bosque]

I am strong too ...but smell isn't everything (drum roll, symbol..."Thank you very much!)!
First thing Miksums correct, right now slop some penetrating oil on those windscreen hinges until you actually get to them.
Off with the barndoors. Somewhere over the passenger door is a splice in the overhead light wires (2) get those bullets apart. Take the interior panels off to access the carraige bolts from tub. Undoo 5 or so hex bolts in the front windshield to top. Undo 2 front corner brackets.
The thing can be moved by one, on and off but if someone strong is around have them do it.... no but I must say it is not worth the chance of screwing it up. If someone can help.....safer! I used my back up against lid and pressed up to walk it back. I put several blankets on the driveway then scooted it out more and then standing outside rolled it down till it sat on the back face, roll onto top and away you go. There is rubber between top and panels and panels and tub and shows this in the parts catalog here. I used garage seal for the top to panel and top to windshield and think it looks stock. Do not be surprised to break bolts and need to replace with through bolts or whatnot. I retapped a few captured nuts and replaced a few with through bolts and nuts.

[RiverPatrol]

Aw, hard top removal is a piece of cake! All ya need is a couple of 2x4s and a fork lift.

[bosque]

River,
You're not forkin' around using that thing

[miller]

River,
You're not forkin' around using that thing

Oh dear

[miksum56]

River,
You're not forkin' around using that thing

Sure she is Dave