g741.org

Agreed-the pieces should already be riveted in. My top that came from Fred at Adirondack Dodge is assembled that way and it's a top-quality top (no pun intended).
Gary

I talked to a gentleman at Beachwood today. He said they do not install the metal strips, as they may need to be positioned differently for different M37's. He said the tops may fit a little different on any given truck, and if installed at the factory, the strips mught end up slightly out of position.
I can see where this makes sense, I guess. Just do not like the idea of having to make my own holes in the new top, when I have never tried anything like that before.
Jeff

Every M37 cab top frame is the same, every top should be made to fit the same. If I ordered a top from someone and they wanted me to install the pieces I would send it back.

Ryan wrote:Every M37 cab top frame is the same, every top should be made to fit the same. If I ordered a top from someone and they wanted me to install the pieces I would send it back.

Yes they appear the same, but they aren't. While you can take a part from the 1st ever M37 & put it on the last, many items will vary when it comes to exact fit. Bear in mind that these trucks were built long before the manufacturing methods of today, humans played a much bigger role in the task, thus room for slight variations is far more likely. A good example is one we see often, when we build up the mounting brackets for our Cummins diesel engines, we always check the final fit & alignment on each truck before starting the welding procedure. We have drawings of these parts where they can be duplicated, however we've learned if we fabricate from the drawings 100% some fit & some don't. This is because of variations in the exact positioning of brackets that are riveted to the frame rails. Simply put, lots of things vary some from truck to truck. The top is no different, positioning & riveting these brackets on isn't a big deal for you to do. While I still don't recall having to do it with a new top, the guy does have a valid point. I guess it will be your decision to choose whether you want to use it or not. I do know Beachwood offers some of the best quality products & workmanship available in these types of products.

Ok, I decided to keep the top and put the brackets on myself. Now I have another problem. This has to do with the 2 straps that go from above the windshield back to the back bow.
My truck had a bracket above each widnow wiper motor for the straps to hook to. The bracket is 1 3/4" wide and sticks up about 1" above the window frame. It has a notch in it for the strap. The notch is only 5/8" wide. THE PROBLEM is that the straps included with the top are 1 1/2" wide.
It also appears that these two brackets would eventually wear a hole in the top where they will rub.
Again, all help will be appreciated. I am trying to get this on today, as really bad weather is coming.
Thanks,
Jeff

There are also clips on the top of the windshield that the hold downs on the hood clip to. The brackets for the straps bolt on, the hold downs are welded. Don't have a pic handy of the top of the windshield though......
Rick C

Ok, the brackets I have are for the windshield hold downs I think. So, that means I do not have any brackets to tie the top straps to.
What do the strap brackets look like, and where do they attach exactly? I will have to call around Monday and try to buy them from somewhere.
Thanks,
Jeff


PS: I had no idea this was going to be suych an ordeal. You just never know what you are going to get into with these old trucks.

Jeff in north Texas wrote:Ok, the brackets I have are for the windshield hold downs I think. So, that means I do not have any brackets to tie the top straps to.
What do the strap brackets look like, and where do they attach exactly? I will have to call around Monday and try to buy them from somewhere.
Thanks,
Jeff


PS: I had no idea this was going to be suych an ordeal. You just never know what you are going to get into with these old trucks.

When the straps are in place using the correct brackets, it should support the canvas so it's above & not touching or only lightly touching the hold down brackets. You can fabricate the loop brackets for the strap fairly easy, they are bent upwards from the frame where the strap attaches. The brackets you are missing attach to the frame using 1 bolt each, it's the bolt just to the inside toward the center of each hold down bracket. Should be in a straight line with the loops that are welded to the top bow.

Jeff in north Texas wrote:Ok, the brackets I have are for the windshield hold downs I think. So, that means I do not have any brackets to tie the top straps to.
What do the strap brackets look like, and where do they attach exactly? I will have to call around Monday and try to buy them from somewhere.
Thanks,
Jeff


PS: I had no idea this was going to be suych an ordeal. You just never know what you are going to get into with these old trucks.

I got curious after reading about these hold down brackets. When installing my top I never recalled seeing any other brackets on my truck's windshield other than the top strap brackets. I just went out to the garage to check and sure enough someone must have cut off my hold down brackets as there are none present, and you can clearly see cut marks where they had been removed at some time for some odd reason. No matter though, as I have no desire to ever drive with my truck's windshield folded down anyway.

Jeff, I have taken a photo of the straps in place on my truck's windshield. If you think it may help your installation I'd be glad to email it to you. Let me know.

Nickathome.

Nick, It would be my guess your truck at one time had a CCKW hard top installed on it,those brackets must be removed for that type of top to fit!

Nick,
I would reall like to see the photo you have taken. Here is my email address.
jthomasmet@verizon.net
Thanks,

Charles,
I found the mounting holes you are refering to.
Thanks
Jeff








I got curious after reading about these hold down brackets. When installing my top I never recalled seeing any other brackets on my truck's windshield other than the top strap brackets. I just went out to the garage to check and sure enough someone must have cut off my hold down brackets as there are none present, and you can clearly see cut marks where they had been removed at some time for some odd reason. No matter though, as I have no desire to ever drive with my truck's windshield folded down anyway.

Jeff, I have taken a photo of the straps in place on my truck's windshield. If you think it may help your installation I'd be glad to email it to you. Let me know.

Nickathome.[/quote]

Jeff;

Sent you the photo.....

Nick

Dicktater wrote:Nick, It would be my guess your truck at one time had a CCKW hard top installed on it,those brackets must be removed for that type of top to fit!

Dicktater;

Interesting...It is entirely possible that my truck could have had a hard top at some point, although I see no other evidence that my truck may have ever had a hard top. I would think there would be other tell tale clues that a top from another vehicle could have been installed, such as marks or drill holes along the back edge of the cab securing it down. How were the tops you mentioned attached at the back of the cab?

Nick,
Thank you for the photo. That shows what I need very clearly.
Jeff

Jeff;

Glad to be of help to you.