J-Truck Cargo Caps/Toppers/Covers???

[UnkleMunky]

Wondering some things about options for covers for J-trucks! I know that a number of J-trucks in the 70s had toppers, and I have one(high top) on the '78 J10. The J-trucks were a different size bed than CFD(Chevy-Ford-Dodge) if I'm not mistaken, so you had to get a Jeep top then. Correct?

What about now...anybody know of a source for NEW tops for J-trucks? Or are there any other truck tops that fit(maybe mid-size Dakotas, Toyotas...SOMETHING?????).

Or is used the only "perfect" size? Anybody know of any used ones for sale in that case?

What about Tonneau covers...anybody been able to locate(or make) a cover for their J-truck???

I've been planning on making a wooden cover(only few inches high, but hinged) for the '76 Honcho, but "might" consider other options if I can find a market item that would work(but has to be cheap$$$$!).

Sooo...what have you all done for J-truck bed cover solutions if you've wanted one???

Thanks for any input...
Michael
78 J10(has a top)/'77 J10(has an old Chevy bed with a top for THAT, which won't work on the Jeep)/'76 J10 Honcho(in need of a cover!)

[JOE.C]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by UnkleMunky:
Wondering some things about options for covers for J-trucks! I know that a number of J-trucks in the 70s had toppers, and I have one(high top) on the '78 J10. The J-trucks were a different size bed than CFD(Chevy-Ford-Dodge) if I'm not mistaken, so you had to get a Jeep top then. Correct?

What about now...anybody know of a source for NEW tops for J-trucks? Or are there any other truck tops that fit(maybe mid-size Dakotas, Toyotas...SOMETHING?????).

Or is used the only "perfect" size? Anybody know of any used ones for sale in that case?

What about Tonneau covers...anybody been able to locate(or make) a cover for their J-truck???

I've been planning on making a wooden cover(only few inches high, but hinged) for the '76 Honcho, but "might" consider other options if I can find a market item that would work(but has to be cheap$$$$!).

Sooo...what have you all done for J-truck bed cover solutions if you've wanted one???

Thanks for any input...
Michael
78 J10(has a top)/'77 J10(has an old Chevy bed with a top for THAT, which won't work on the Jeep)/'76 J10 Honcho(in need of a cover!)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
i have one,fits a 1980 j2o has a crack about 9 in long on top rear corner,has no glass in rear hatch. you can have it free.shipping will be killer though,i live in massachusetts.

[UnkleMunky]

Joe: That would be a longbed if it's for a J20 then, right? I'd take you up on the offer if you were closer, but maybe there's someone more your direction that can use it!

I have a longbox on the '78, but that has a topper on it already..."high top" at that! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif I'm looking into a box/cover for the Honcho, which is Shortbed.

I see there's a top in Mich in the classy section here, but not sure if it's up my alley, or even yet close enough(Kalamazoo is a LONG way around the lakes for me from here!).

"Ideally" I'd like just a cover....more like a tonneau type, so that it covers flat, but not FULL topper style(though I might consider that if I could find one close and cheap), and yet when I want to haul a load of wood(one big reason I bought the truck), I can just "fold" the cover back and carry cargo, but in an open bed more or less! That's why I'm thinking of making one.....but wanted to see if others knew of options/alternatives before I "dive in".

Anyway....thanks for the offer....would be nice to make a trip out there in the '78 and pick up that topper! But, maybe someone else can use it!

Take care...
Michael
'78 J10/'76 J10(topless!)

[Gladi8r]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by UnkleMunky:
Joe: That would be a longbed if it's for a J20 then, right? I'd take you up on the offer if you were closer, but maybe there's someone more your direction that can use it!

I have a longbox on the '78, but that has a topper on it already..."high top" at that! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif I'm looking into a box/cover for the Honcho, which is Shortbed.

I see there's a top in Mich in the classy section here, but not sure if it's up my alley, or even yet close enough(Kalamazoo is a LONG way around the lakes for me from here!).

"Ideally" I'd like just a cover....more like a tonneau type, so that it covers flat, but not FULL topper style(though I might consider that if I could find one close and cheap), and yet when I want to haul a load of wood(one big reason I bought the truck), I can just "fold" the cover back and carry cargo, but in an open bed more or less! That's why I'm thinking of making one.....but wanted to see if others knew of options/alternatives before I "dive in".

Anyway....thanks for the offer....would be nice to make a trip out there in the '78 and pick up that topper! But, maybe someone else can use it!

Take care...
Michael
'78 J10/'76 J10(topless!)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I bet that a good upholstery shop could fabricate a tonneau cover for you. Wouldn't think that the cost would be too high.



------------------
DON

1988 GW mostly stock, &lt;---Wifey's truck (won't let me "fix it up")

1971 J-4000,Rhino Grille(to be installed)
360 CID 8.5/1 ratio 2v, 245 HP, 365 ft/lb
T-18A, Dana 20, PTO, DANA 44 (Front/Rear)
Soon to be torn down for Resto
71 Gladiator Pics (http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/gladi8r1971?d&.flabel=fld2&.src=bc)

78 GW (parts truck)
360 4v Th400
Dana 44 F/R
http://www.j-trucks.freeservers.com/
78 Wagoneer Pics (http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/gladi8r1971?d&.flabel=fld3&.src=bc)

[UnkleMunky]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gladi8r:
I bet that a good upholstery shop could fabricate a tonneau cover for you. Wouldn't think that the cost would be too high.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the idea, though I can come up with something probably pretty darn close to that myself. I have large rolls of vinyl wallcovering and could certainly buy any other fabric(though that might actually cost me something, where the vinyl I already have!) that might work. You'd still need a "frame" and crossbars for a cover though, and that's where you get into aluminum or steel(and possibly more bucks in actual design/setup!). That's what puts me back to working with lumber(am more adept at that, and have better tools for it!), so I keep harking back to the wooden cover idea.

What I "am" planning at this point is to make the cover about 3" high or so....using 1x3s on the bed rails, but making it a "framed" piece around so that I can use regular C-clamps to clamp it down(like I have on my topper). ON TOP of this then I am thinking to have the unit in about 2-4 fold up sections(plywood). I would have it "attached" at the front so it's held down AND figure some form of fastening at each section,and definitely the end. Paint it the same blue as the truck(just did most of that). Have to put a bit of weatherstripping(can use topper tape on some of it) to seal it as much as possible.

THEN, on top of this, take two sections of my large vinyl(probably an off white that's pretty heavy duty), sew them together and seam seal the seam. Hem the edges ALL around, so that it's big enough to OVERLAP the wooden cover. Then, as I did with the window covers in the Dodge van, use those "make your own snaps" to add snaps to the cover/wooden frame of the wood cover unit, and I could attach the vinyl OVER the cover, snapping it secure. This will double protect it.....OVER the wood, which is also protecting the bed. It should hopefully block off any problems that I might have for overlooked leaks in the wooden part when I cover it well!

All around, I might put $5-10 into snap hardware. Maybe $5-10 into paint. Maybe $10 into hardware(that I don't already have) for hinges/screws/etc. for the wooden top. Maybe $30-40 for the lumber. Not looking to go big time major on this. If I can get the job done for $50-75, I'll be one happy camper! I figure I can do that.

It would be hard to "buy" something, or have someone fabricate anything for less, but DID want to check and see what "options"/alternatives anyone might suggest out there. It's a heck of lot easier to clamp on a top than to make one! So, I would figure a few extra $$$ for a ready unit might be worth it. "Ideally" I'm looking for a tonneau type solution, but might be open to a full topper. Depends on the circumstances. I'll probably do the "make my own" method.....

I do appreciate your thoughts on the suggestion of an upholstery shop though....it's a good idea if I couldn't do the fabric part myself! Thanks....

Michael
'78 J10/'76 J10