The Ford Barn

jeepguy1948 · 07-01-2022, 12:18 PM

I have a 28 RPU as you probably all know the top is easily removed but does not fold. I have been told that a roadster (car) folding top can be installed with minor modifications, true or false?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-01-2022, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '28 RPU

I have a 28 RPU as you probably all know the top is easily removed but does not fold. I have been told that a roadster (car) folding top can be installed with minor modifications, true or false?

Depends on what you consider "minor" as far as modifications go. Below is a picture that Marco Tahtaras made many years ago that pretty much shows you why I don't think you are going to find it a minor modification to install a 40A top assy. on a 76A body.

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Chris Haynes · 07-01-2022, 01:26 PM

There is someone making folding irons for trucks.

ronn · 07-01-2022, 01:44 PM

as Chris said and they arent very expensive either.

Keith True · 07-01-2022, 02:17 PM

Who is making the top irons right now?I wanted to buy a new roadster body or open pickup cab a couple of years ago,but I didn't because the top irons were not being made.I had a set for a 28-29 open cab that I bought from LB close to 20 years ago.I wasn't interested in building an early style truck again,so I sold them a couple of years ago.

ronn · 07-02-2022, 06:14 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

actually speedway and Mikes had them for around 450.

both now sold out.......

ronn · 07-02-2022, 06:23 PM

little dearborn showing them for around 500.

Keith True · 07-02-2022, 07:47 PM

When I was looking for them I tried all the usual suspects.Some listed them online,but phone calls told me none had them and had no target date in sight.I did find some universal ones,like the ones I found at Summit,but they were fit-all,fit nothing right.Then I would have to have a top custom made,as the off the shelf A tops were nowhere near a fit.That was made very clear to me when I looked into them.In the early 2000's I bought a set of the folding irons from LB,and I think they were over $600.back then.

rotorwrench · 07-03-2022, 12:44 AM

The alternative some folks take is to remake a top with snaps on the lower edge then modify the rear of the cab for snap attachment so the top can be removed. There isn't a very good place behind the cab for a folding top to rest.

Keith True · 07-03-2022, 07:27 AM

I used removable fasteners on both my 28 and late 30 open cab trucks.Removing that roof makes for a very floppy and flexible cab.The later style much more so.I had bought the new folding irons for the 28,but after driving it with the top off I decided I didn't like the way it flexed.The universal ones from Summit are not remotely like the original in shape.But,if you have nothing and want to drive right now,and can make your own top,they would work for you.Last time I checked they were out of stock too,with no idea when or if they would be back.The boat top shops here says no problem,and charge time and materials.

07-01-2022, 12:18 PM	#1
jeepguy1948 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 720	Folding Top I have a 28 RPU as you probably all know the top is easily removed but does not fold. I have been told that a roadster (car) folding top can be installed with minor modifications, true or false?

07-01-2022, 01:26 PM	#3
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Folding Top There is someone making folding irons for trucks. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

07-01-2022, 01:44 PM	#4
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Folding Top as Chris said and they arent very expensive either.

07-01-2022, 02:17 PM	#5
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,987	Re: Folding Top Who is making the top irons right now?I wanted to buy a new roadster body or open pickup cab a couple of years ago,but I didn't because the top irons were not being made.I had a set for a 28-29 open cab that I bought from LB close to 20 years ago.I wasn't interested in building an early style truck again,so I sold them a couple of years ago.

07-02-2022, 06:14 PM	#6
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Folding Top Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) actually speedway and Mikes had them for around 450. both now sold out.......

07-02-2022, 06:23 PM	#7
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Folding Top little dearborn showing them for around 500.

07-02-2022, 07:47 PM	#8
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,987	Re: Folding Top When I was looking for them I tried all the usual suspects.Some listed them online,but phone calls told me none had them and had no target date in sight.I did find some universal ones,like the ones I found at Summit,but they were fit-all,fit nothing right.Then I would have to have a top custom made,as the off the shelf A tops were nowhere near a fit.That was made very clear to me when I looked into them.In the early 2000's I bought a set of the folding irons from LB,and I think they were over $600.back then.

07-03-2022, 12:44 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Folding Top The alternative some folks take is to remake a top with snaps on the lower edge then modify the rear of the cab for snap attachment so the top can be removed. There isn't a very good place behind the cab for a folding top to rest.

07-03-2022, 07:27 AM	#10
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,987	Re: Folding Top I used removable fasteners on both my 28 and late 30 open cab trucks.Removing that roof makes for a very floppy and flexible cab.The later style much more so.I had bought the new folding irons for the 28,but after driving it with the top off I decided I didn't like the way it flexed.The universal ones from Summit are not remotely like the original in shape.But,if you have nothing and want to drive right now,and can make your own top,they would work for you.Last time I checked they were out of stock too,with no idea when or if they would be back.The boat top shops here says no problem,and charge time and materials.