C8 progress in Texas

[David DeWeese]

Thanks all for the replies!

The normal light weight electrical conduit can be bent fairly easy, but was too flimsy to make a decent top frame out of. The rigid conduit I used is heavier and threaded, but not as heavy as iron water pipe.

I borrowed a 3/4-inch pipe threader from my brother, cut and threaded each piece, and used the threaded connectors that are sold to use with this type of conduit to join everything. The curved pieces are sold already bent and threaded, and were the radius I wanted, so that worked out good.

The horizontal top pieces are the normal lighter conduit I flattened with a press to make the connection points with the bows. I used two 1-inch pieces of square bar stock on either side of the pipe to flatten the center connection points.

The rigid conduit is galvanized, so to make the paint stick I brushed on a phosphoric acid "metal prep" solution and waited overnight before painting..

I really haven't decided what to do about the canvas yet....any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks, David

[Mike K]

Looks fantastic. Can you make one for me ?

The plumbers 3/4" gal. pipe is available in 3 wall thickness grades, so I've been told .

I tried a few experiments with a pipe bender on some 3/4 gal but the results were horrible .

The OD of the plumbers pipe here is around 1 and 1/16" . It has a seam internally .

re: the canvas , try to find some very heavy grade canvas , 24 oz, or heavier . I hate the look of thin canvas on these old vehicles , it just doesn't look right . And, don't be too worried about getting the stitching nice and neat , the rougher it looks the better .

[David DeWeese]

Thanks Mike,

Been browsing photos of the canvas top construction for the C8, and had a question about how it was held down on the sides. The photos show what looks like a metal strap that runs across the lower part of the canvas. Does this strap hold the canvas to the framework? If so, how?

Also been looking for canvas material, and the heaviest canvas I can find in the color I want is 12oz.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...n?cm_vc=-10005

Does anyone have a source for 24oz canvas in tan?

These canvas framework and canvas are fairly complicated for the 8cwt trucks. Still have to make the four folding legs for the framework, but I think I have that worked out.......maybe.

Thanks, David

[Grant Bowker]

I'm not sure of whether the shade of tan matches your need but these people advertise #8 or 18 oz. canvas in tan as well as OD. http://www.bigduckcanvas.com/number-...anvas-duck-tan
They sell as heavy as #1 or 30 oz. but anything heavier than 18 oz. is "natural" so you would have to find a way to get it dyed.

[David DeWeese]

Thank you Grant,

I was on that site yesterday and didn't see their 18oz canvas, so very glad you pointed it out!

Thanks again, David

[Bob Carriere]

My canvas quest is a bit different as I am fitting a C15a but early cab 11 design with the side leather straps fitting on the pins located on the side of the 2B1 box.

I do have a canvas that was made up some years ago in a project championed by Stew Loy. I will be modifying it so the sides can be rolled up leaving just the top for shade. I will not go as far as installing the side windows which on factory pictures look like a copper screen mesh.

Thanks Rob for explaining how the straps are installed.... that makes it a lot easier to retro fit.

David......canvas of good quality is now very hard to find as most is woven off shore in cheap labour areas. A lot of the better one is coming in from India but the heaviest I have seen avaialble is 18 OZ.... finding a distributor that will sell you a few yards is not easy since they order the material in large quantity...... 100 or 500 yards roll.

I know Stew had a hard time getting enough guys to buy in so as to meet the order for the minimum yardage. Mind you tan may be easier than dark OD green. And what ever color you get will bleach out after one Texas Summer so even the current orange canvas will eventually fade to some tan shade. You no doubt will need only a small quantity of canvas as the shelter is small but will require a lot of fancy sewing...... but you have tackled worst before.

I beleive Grant, from the barn, has found some 18 oz OD for his seat covers and will ask him what other shades are available and who has it.

Sure looks funny when the truck drives away and the canvas shelter stays behind.

Cheers

PS I was typing sooo slow Grant passed me in the curve

[David DeWeese]

Thanks Bob,

A top with the sides rolled up would suit me fine also. I'm just after a little shade myself..

Here in the summer, there are very few military events to attend, so I take the C8 to local car shows a lot. About an hour into it I'm looking for a rock to crawl under just to find some shade. A simple canvas top would do wonders....

Thanks, David

[cletrac (RIP)]

Try this link

[David DeWeese]

Thank you David for the link to that thread, It answers a lot of questions about the canvas and fasteners. I was going to go with the lift-the-dot fasteners for the canvas, but now will go another way...

So, the personnel version of this top didn't have the folding legs? If so, that's fine by me....less stuff to build and I don't intend on it being a wireless truck.

Thanks again, David

[Mike K]

My Morris still has the folding leg mechanism . I can take pics for you , its pretty simple . You have the Duple body which is pretty much identical to the Morris body

Not sure about that metal bar that holds the canvas along the sides , this was used on the Canadian built 8 cwt bodies , not sure about the Duple bodies, need to look at some pics of Duple bodies Mike