idea : DIY Fastback top for pick-ups

[Smog]

Hi everybody,

just an idea for DIY fastback top for your pick-up.

a lightweight EMT tubing frame (available at HomeDepot)

then recover with ....




..... Boat shrink wrap !

it's not expensive, it's lightweight, it will resist UV, can be replaced if torn by a little punk and no seams. most are 6 mils think but you can add layers for a tougher top.

I may give it a try on my 2006 toyota Tacoma (2wd access cab 4 cyl). but the 7.5l/100km (32mpg) I have right now is hard to beat. (was 8.2 with the fiberglass fullsize top).

[SVOboy]

Don't really know what boat shrink wrap looks like, but I'd be interested to see it done.

[ttoyoda]

Pluses: smooth and a nice color.
Minuses: shrinking the wrap might pull the sides made of the emt tube pretty hard.
So you might have to brace it a lot.

[Smog]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Don't really know what boat shrink wrap looks like, but I'd be interested to see it done.

available in blue, white and clear

[kevlar]

Too bad I didn't hear about this before I did mine, I like the already blue part of it ! ...

[ebacherville]

1 minor downfall, it tends to concave, you'll have to make a nice framework to get this right on for areo.. but if its a quick and dirty thing yeah it should help...


However a clear would be pretty cool.. just paint what you want to not be windows.

[Smog]

Originally Posted by ebacherville

1 minor downfall, it tends to concave, you'll have to make a nice framework to get this right on for areo.. but if its a quick and dirty thing yeah it should help...


However a clear would be pretty cool.. just paint what you want to not be windows.

I was giving this idea, may be it's not the best but it's a cheap option;


another cheap Idea to cleanly block foglight recess : get your local vinyl signs shop cut you a set of sticker a half inch larger than the opening in the bumper. Get a piece of coroplast (the sign guy must have some leftovers), cut it a bit smaller than the fog opening. put the coroplast piece centered on the sticky side of your vinyl cut then put it on your bumper. the coroplast will keep the vinyl patch straight while the patch will deflect the air away and be almost invisible.

[nwbabybronco]

Shrink wrap the bumper? One of my wacky plans is to build a cardboard boat hull, then shrink wrap it for waterproofness. Maybe we shoud just use paper mache?