MM Top

1959 - 1962, Mighty Mite, M422, Wanted, USED PARTS FOR SALE, and Knowledge Base
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takpak
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MM Top

Post by takpak » Sun Oct 10, 2021 3:01 pm

I am coming down the home stretch on my MM restoration. Recently I acquired a NOS bow set, and a NOS canvas top. I've run into a bit of a problem though. First, even though it's a 1962 A1 series, I have put the original "thin" windshield on it, as the M38 one was rusted out. The bow set fit fine. However, the top does NOT fit. It comes up about 12 inches short of reaching the tailgate tie down bar. Inside, at the first bow, the tie down straps are about 5 inches short of the bow. At the second bow, the straps are about 11 inches short of the bow. The tiedowns/bottom of the canvas at the tailgate are 12 inches short of reaching. What have I done wrong? In checking, I've found that there might have been two different tops, one short one and one longer one. I have the A1 (longer body) but by putting the original thin windshield on it did that screw up my top installation? 12 inches short worth at the rear??? Didn't think the windshield would make that much difference. Open to ideas/thoughts.
Terry K.
Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Navy
Current: 1962 M-422A1, 1953 Air Force M-43, 1942 Navy EP GPW Script

Previous: 1954 M-37, 1971 M-35, 1951 M-38


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D Pizzoferrato
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Re: MM Top

Post by D Pizzoferrato » Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:33 am

Several thoughts. Canvas is subject to extreme shrinkage (up to 10% depending on orientation of cut to the lay of the fabric). There are distinct top designs for the M422 and M422A1 (Yes Felicia, size matters!). There is also a distinct design for the original early windshield top (length as well as windshield width/attachment).
David Pizzoferrato
Pizzoferrato Ent./Weebee Webbing
Visit our Website! www.odcloth.com for your Canvas needs

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Bill H.
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Re: MM Top

Post by Bill H. » Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:56 am

In addition to Dave's comment, confirm they are Mighty Mite top bows. M151 look very similar but are not. Also make certain the top is for an A1. That 6" difference plus the shrinkage Dave mentioned might be the issue. Pictures would sure help.
Bill H.

"Each shall seek his own kind, in other words, a bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together?" Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof

1952 Dunbar Kapple M100
1953 Willys M38A1
1962 AMC M422A1
1965 Stevens M416B1 X 2
1967 Kaiser M715

2 Timothy 3:1-5

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takpak
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Re: MM Top

Post by takpak » Thu Oct 14, 2021 3:51 pm

Dave and Bill, hopefully you'll see this, especially Dave. Today I measured the bow dimensions, from the front of the windshield where the top would attach to the rear bow where it would go over. Dimension is 69 inches. Measured the top I got, and the dimension on it, between those two points is 56 inches. Are there different tops for the first M422 and the M422A1? If so, I may have gotten the M422 "short" one? Otherwise, not sure what to make of this.
Terry K.
Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Navy
Current: 1962 M-422A1, 1953 Air Force M-43, 1942 Navy EP GPW Script

Previous: 1954 M-37, 1971 M-35, 1951 M-38

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mspeters
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Re: MM Top

Post by mspeters » Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:34 pm

Terry,

The prevailing surplus tops are for the M38A1 style windshield upgrade.

As David P. stated, you need a specific top pattern for thin windshield. A pal has one of Pizzoferrato’s (ODcloth.com) summer tops mounted to a thin windshield A1.

On the top bows, are all 4 support rods installed ? The front rods to the windshield will need to re-made or modified to be longer to reach the thin windshield.

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takpak
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Re: MM Top

Post by takpak » Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:51 pm

That makes sense. I did have the M38A1 windshield mod on mine, but it was completely rusted out. I was able to find a really good original "thin" windshield that was complete, so to keep the rig as "original" as possible, I installed that. I did do some measuring from the old M38 frame and there is a difference, but 12 inches worth???? Regarding the bows, the rear supports are installed, and I did find that the front supports will need to be modified to reach. No problem there, it's only about 2 inches worth. I guess end result is, I've got the "right" but yet "wrong" top for it, if I want to keep the thin windshield, which I do, for originality's sake. And everything else was going so good..........!!
Terry K.
Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Navy
Current: 1962 M-422A1, 1953 Air Force M-43, 1942 Navy EP GPW Script

Previous: 1954 M-37, 1971 M-35, 1951 M-38

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D Pizzoferrato
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Re: MM Top

Post by D Pizzoferrato » Fri Oct 15, 2021 3:53 am

takpak wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 3:51 pm
Are there different tops for the first M422 and the M422A1? If so, I may have gotten the M422 "short" one? Otherwise, not sure what to make of this.
Yes, The lengths are at least 6" different (I think that's the correct number. As we cut by computer driven machines using CADD files, I don't need to remember these things).
David Pizzoferrato
Pizzoferrato Ent./Weebee Webbing
Visit our Website! www.odcloth.com for your Canvas needs

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takpak
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Re: MM Top

Post by takpak » Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:15 am

Thanks all. I did just see an MM OEM top listed on Ebay. The guy says it's for the "short" version of the MM, and the part number stenciled on it is the same as mine; 10942511. So, based on everything I'm seeing and hearing, I mistakenly got the short version top. SIGH.......the MM is a neat and unique rig, but it's certainly been challenging!
Terry K.
Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Navy
Current: 1962 M-422A1, 1953 Air Force M-43, 1942 Navy EP GPW Script

Previous: 1954 M-37, 1971 M-35, 1951 M-38

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Bill H.
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Re: MM Top

Post by Bill H. » Sat Oct 16, 2021 5:32 pm

takpak wrote:
Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:15 am
Thanks all. I did just see an MM OEM top listed on Ebay. The guy says it's for the "short" version of the MM, and the part number stenciled on it is the same as mine; 10942511. So, based on everything I'm seeing and hearing, I mistakenly got the short version top. SIGH.......the MM is a neat and unique rig, but it's certainly been challenging!
Not necessarily. All Mite original tops were for shorties. All that was done was to add a 6" strip just ahead of the front top bow to make it for an A1. Later canvas outfits started making tops specifically for the A1.

You gave a 69" from windshield frame to rear top bow and a top measurement of 56". There's where the issue lies.
Bill H.

"Each shall seek his own kind, in other words, a bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together?" Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof

1952 Dunbar Kapple M100
1953 Willys M38A1
1962 AMC M422A1
1965 Stevens M416B1 X 2
1967 Kaiser M715

2 Timothy 3:1-5


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