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Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:20 pm

My top frame is bent...the bar that is in the center of the top. Has anyone fixed before? What is the best way? Thanks

Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:19 pm

Well how bent is it? Are you referring to one of the tubular members that crosses from left to right, or the flat pieces that runs from front to back?

You can remove the frame and (if it's not rusted all to hell) you can straighten it out with a hammer and a block of wood if you're careful. The Thing Shop sells a heavy steel reinforcement kit for $90.00 that you can weld onto a frame in decent shape to give it new life. The kit consists of 4 pieces for the flat members that run forward to rear. The tubular pieces are not reinforced.

FWIW, my kit arrived and I had a buddy who's handy with a welder buzz them on today. I'm very satisfied and about to buy a new top now that I know the frame is solid. I'm going to POR 15 the frame first though.

Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:26 pm

USE A 3/4"EMT and/or a 1/2" Rigid Electrical Pipe Bender, you "back bend it"
That means you take the bender and put it on the back of the bend, then straighten, do it in increments, slowly so you dont kink it.

Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:11 pm

any tricks to get the rivots off?

Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:52 pm

caseydenise wrote: any tricks to get the rivots off?

I used a dremel tool with a grinding stone. It took some time, but I was able to slowly work down the rounded portion of the rivot until I could pop it out without hitting the frame with the stone. I took two frames apart this way, intent on fixing both. Once I finished fixing the first frame, I decided not to rebuild the second, as I have no need for it right now.

I've said it before, but fixing the top frame was one of the best things I could have done for my thing. I never liked taking it out when it might rain, because I didn't want to get stuck somewhere in the rain. Now I take it everywhere and don't worry.

Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:43 pm

Referring to one of the tubular members that crosses from left to right... I will try the pipe bender, thanks for the info.

Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:23 am

Andy at Killer Products offers a stainless steel kit to rebuild Thing soft tops. The kit replaces the soft rivets with custom stainless steel hardware and special polyamid washers.

You will not find a better value in resto kits for the Thing. His product is of the highest quality. I am currently restoring my third soft top using his kits. I am about to buy a 4th kit to have one on hand. To check out and/or purchase his resto kit go to:

http://www.killer-products.dk/hood-nuts.html

Here are rivet removal instruction from his web site.

Drill out the old rivets - use a 27/64" drill bit and hold the back with some flat faced vice grips.
If necessary, paint your frame. We recommend powdercoating the frame.
After painting the frame, the holes may be to small. Make sure that the nuts fit into all the holes before
assembly.
Mount the parts as shown in the illustration below. (It’s easiest to assembly the frame on a flat surface)
Remember to put the locking glue onto the bolt. Make sure you tighten the bolts good.
After you have assembled the hood frame, the locking glue has to dry for a couple of hours.

Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:03 am

kubelmann wrote: Andy at Killer Products offers a stainless steel kit to rebuild Thing soft tops. The kit replaces the soft rivets with custom stainless steel hardware and special polyamid washers.

You will not find a better value in resto kits for the Thing. His product is of the highest quality. I am currently restoring my third soft top using his kits. I am about to buy a 4th kit to have one on hand. To check out and/or purchase his resto kit go to:

http://www.killer-products.dk/hood-nuts.html

I agree with kubelmann. I tried making my own rivots prior to finding the killer products parts with little success. They are worth it.

Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:00 am

The largest part of the frame that attaches to the front windshield is full of rust. I've been moving it around alot grinding off the rivots (half done). It soulds like dirt rolling back and forth. I plan on restoring this frame and don't know if I should worry about it. I also thought it may make some noise when I drive. Anyone else have this issue or any ideas. I thought about drilling into it, clean it, then reweld.

Wed May 19, 2010 3:23 pm

The Thing Shop no longer carries the reinforcement kit. Does anyone else?
Or.. have photos of the parts it contained so we can reproduce it?

Wed May 19, 2010 4:01 pm

As part of my soft top rebuild service. I am in the process of creating reinforcement parts.

Wed May 19, 2010 5:01 pm

kubelmann wrote: As part of my soft top rebuild service. I am in the process of creating reinforcement parts.

With the parts be available for the end user to weld in themselves?

Wed May 19, 2010 5:13 pm

Yes. I want to offer rebuild service as well as do it yourself parts. I already offer the Killer stainless steel hardware kits.

Wed May 19, 2010 6:16 pm

how much for kit, shipping 45653

Wed May 19, 2010 6:56 pm

Ok Ok Ok I said, I am in the process.... Thanks for the support to let me know that others can use my "kit" Thanks!!! I will give updates as I get this project going That said, I have this project done and ready to ship:

Anyone need better than OE Thing side mirrors?

Wed May 19, 2010 7:20 pm

i wish i could just buy the trim seal kit. my mirrors are good and so is the glass, but my seals are shot. big suprise

Wed May 19, 2010 10:30 pm

I've got a set of Killer bolts that I got from K-mann, they will be great when I put my top back together. I'll be using his reinforcing parts too :)

BNMike

Wed May 19, 2010 10:43 pm

someday i will refresh my top. you can bet i will be PMing Kmann for the parts

Thu May 20, 2010 9:59 am

I got the Killer hardware and it's really nice. Just check the thread lock on all the bolts if you fold it often. One of my was real loose, almost lost it.
I would reccomend powder coating the frame. Mine is painted (at the body shop) and it flakes off when it gets banged around :x .

I also welded in the Thing Shop reinforcement kit, very nice product. I hope Kmanns works out for him.

Sat May 22, 2010 10:44 pm

Does anyone have some decent pics of what the reinforcement kit consisted of in hopes we can reproduce it?