A number of years ago, I picked up a used truck topper for my wife's F250, for free. I repaired the broken hinge on the window, as well as replaced the gas shocks. Two years ago, I hit a heck of a chuck hole while out on a test drive, which reverberated through the truck to the clamps holding the cap on...causing them to forget how to do their job. It flew off and hit the road with such force that it knocked a window out and cracked the fiberglass. I stopped the truck, and picked the cap up and clamped it down to get it back home. We pulled it off and set it on horses, then ignored it...until today.

Today, I pulled it out and surveyed the damage done...it wasn't pretty. I grabbed a few old license plates (I have them from every vehicle I've ever owned) and cut them to cover the cracks and holes. I drilled them for the rivets, then installed them inside the cap. I then rough sanded the outside of the damaged areas to accept the next step. The next step included using some old fiberglass cloth, and a few old T-shirt rags I had soaked in resin, laying each piece as carefully as possible (glass work is a pain), using a brush to push out the air bubbles.

Once it cures, I'll go out and sand it down a bit, being careful to not remove too much of the patch, then cover it in primer and call it good. I have absolutely no plans to do more than is needed to make the topper weather proof for Winter use. Heck, I have no plans on doing much with the truck body, other than stop the surface rust and cover it to prevent further rust, until all the mechanical work is done.

For some reason, all F-series truck bumpers dent in the same place...I've seen more than I can count with bends in the same spot...rear bumper, passenger side, with corner turned out and under. This one is no different. I took my trusty come-along out for some driveway repair work. I attached one hook to the wife's F250 bumper, and the other to my trucks frame, then added tension while hitting the top plate with a soft face sledge hammer. It's not perfect, but it's no longer glaring at me. I did the same for the slight buckle in the front bumper, which most of these trucks have.

I do what I can, when I can...and have gone a long way with it this Summer. I'm hoping that next year, I'll have all of the mechanicals taken care of, and be able to get the body ready for primer and paint...which will happen in the driveway, instead of a garage. My wife is enjoying the time her and I spend on this, as is my son. Even if it's never perfect looking, the time spent with them is priceless.

__________________
1987 560SL
85,000 miles