- 1,484
- 889
- 113
- Location
- Quantico VA
If you aren't overly concerned about keeping it stock, you can drill out the rivet and MOVE the turnbuckle to the "correct" position too.
BDGR
-
Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!
Soft Top Frustration M1123
- Thread starter mrandig
- Start date
BDGR
- 234
- 254
- 63
- Location
- Houston, TX
So, coming back to this issue after a bit of a hiatus, it turns out that through shear will and a set of vice grips, the top cover could be pulled around the b-pillar.
It probably would've been easier to do this without the troop benches installed, as they didn't leave much room.
Before:
After:
In the end, I didn't need to remove the seat belts or the protective padding. I did need to pull much, much, much, harder.
It probably would've been easier to do this without the troop benches installed, as they didn't leave much room.
Before:
After:
In the end, I didn't need to remove the seat belts or the protective padding. I did need to pull much, much, much, harder.
DREDnot
Well-known member
- 885
- 702
- 93
- Location
- Avondale , AZ
Whats the front side look like?
If you didnt remove the seat belt assembly I cant see how its on there correctly?
If you didnt remove the seat belt assembly I cant see how its on there correctly?
- 234
- 254
- 63
- Location
- Houston, TX
As a final wrap up to this story, it turns out the warm weather (and a pair of vice grips) was my answer. The top is now on and installed correctly.
I was aware these tops were easier to install when it was warm outside, but I had no idea how much stretch they would have after being in the warm Texas sun. This probably would have been easier without the troop seats installed, but lesson learned.
Basically, this became a rinse-and-repeat process. Leave the truck in the sun, stretch; leave the truck in the sun again, stretch; leave the truck in the sun, and finally - Walla! The top fits now.
Copied from my earlier post, the side extensions connect to the rear of the b-pillar.
The sides then wrap underneath the seat belt. In my case, I didn't take off the head protection.
The top wraps around, but I'm my case, came up really short, and in the wrong position.
After a few days of cussing, followed by a few days of sunlight, stretch.
Cover routed underneath the seatbelt. Keep stretching.
Should be nice and tight around the pillar but keep stretching any ways. Also, the seam here is a big piece of Velcro, which can be released for more slack. Note that when installed correctly, the seam is parallel with both the troop seatbacks and the door frame.
After even more time, even more sun, and a pair vice grips, the cover should align. Note that this is the same turnbuckle that you started with originally, it actually used twice.
I was aware these tops were easier to install when it was warm outside, but I had no idea how much stretch they would have after being in the warm Texas sun. This probably would have been easier without the troop seats installed, but lesson learned.
Basically, this became a rinse-and-repeat process. Leave the truck in the sun, stretch; leave the truck in the sun again, stretch; leave the truck in the sun, and finally - Walla! The top fits now.
Copied from my earlier post, the side extensions connect to the rear of the b-pillar.
The sides then wrap underneath the seat belt. In my case, I didn't take off the head protection.
The top wraps around, but I'm my case, came up really short, and in the wrong position.
After a few days of cussing, followed by a few days of sunlight, stretch.
Cover routed underneath the seatbelt. Keep stretching.
Should be nice and tight around the pillar but keep stretching any ways. Also, the seam here is a big piece of Velcro, which can be released for more slack. Note that when installed correctly, the seam is parallel with both the troop seatbacks and the door frame.
After even more time, even more sun, and a pair vice grips, the cover should align. Note that this is the same turnbuckle that you started with originally, it actually used twice.
Last edited: