Options for Patrol Top

[GARYSCC]

Hi, I've had a little anxiety over what to do with my patrol's hardtop. It has lots of rust issues, needs weatherstripping, paint and body. So, I'm thinking of demolitioning it.

If I do this, what are my economical options to keep the dashboard and front seat rain proof? I was thinking of a bimini (bikini) top like I've seen on old broncos. I have no roll bars at this time - should I get roll bars?

I appreciate your suggestions.

[RiverPatrol]

Check out Dave's solution here: http://www.60patrol.com/forum/viewtopic ... ini#p13561

[GARYSCC]

I removed the hardtop. And then I noticed that the side panels are fastened by bolts. I put the panels back on the patrol with no roof. Im thinking of making a wood roof using the rails of the panels. Then I may make a bikini cover for the front cab. Has anyone done this before? Any ideas?

[bosque]

Gary,
Let us see some pictures of your top......in the light.
Is it worse than this:

I had a really bad situation with a top and made the decision to fix it. The idea of a wood top makes me cringe. I am a woodworker by trade and have made a cedar strip canoe so if you were to make a fiberglassed wood top with some good design, it may be novel but why not fiberglass your old top.?
I will refer you to my 67 Patrols hardtop. http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/bosqu ... t=6&page=1
It was falling apart while I drove. There was nothing to loose but the money for sandpaper, fiberglass cloth and epoxy. It will cost 200 bucks. You will need to search fiberglass car repair, surfboard making, cedar strip canoe making......basically to see how "wetting out" the material goes. It is not difficult but fast paced. Mistakes can be fixed so the forgiveness factor is huge! The rails over the doors on mine were goner so I made aluminum ones with epoxy, simple aluminum angle from the hardware store.

I did not weld nor do much metal working at the time but that did not get in the way. I did reinforce the rails with some bent metal. With the structure done I read up on body work......bondo layering, sanding techniques, painting. You can rent a sprayer or go with rattle cans......roll on would "work".

[RiverPatrol]

There's this creative solution on eBay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-Nis ... 741wt_1167

eBay_67_CO_Patrol.jpg

As for a wood roof, here is one person's solution. He used oak:

wood_roof_jeep.jpg

[GARYSCC]

My hardtop was as bad as yours. But it gone now I threw it away. I like the examples shown leslie. Ill have fun figuring this out for mine. My side glass is good but I need new seals for the rails.

[bosque]

When I first saw this I thought.....almost works! The side panels with a soft top could work but I would replace the original bows with tubing or galvy conduit and add some support crossbars. You'd need a conduit bender but they are cheap for 1". Flatten the ends with a vice, drill a hole to fasten to panels. Have a top made or diy.
Either fixing your existing with fiberglass or making a top will be some work and designing for sure.....my bimini project has nearly turned into a full soft top.

[miller]

That timber top is ummm... Interesting

Good luck with your findings

[RiverPatrol]

That timber top is ummm... Interesting

Yeah, so is the old fart that built it. He lives in a log cabin so he thinks anything can be made from wood.

[bosque]

Yeah but if he is a carpenter he must be a stellar dude!!!