Made my own SOFT TOP
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Made my own SOFT TOP
hey all!
i started making my own soft top, following the Canback style of snap-on top over a fixed tubular frame.
i finished the fabric portion, and was field testing it over my original Canback frame. But I found an issue with the fabric i used, basically being so light and soft it was TOO light, and so where it snaps to the cab, the wind was able to flip it up a little. This allowed some rain seepage, so i took it back off.
The plan was to reinforce the front edge so it couldn't be flipped up by the wind, and test again. But some "life $#!+" happened and the new top has been in a storage bin since.
i'll eventually finish this. I've got some very detailed plans so that once it's complete, i can give them to a fabricator and mass produce them. But i just found the pictures i'd taken of the prototype, so figured i'd share them. Enjoy.
i started making my own soft top, following the Canback style of snap-on top over a fixed tubular frame.
i finished the fabric portion, and was field testing it over my original Canback frame. But I found an issue with the fabric i used, basically being so light and soft it was TOO light, and so where it snaps to the cab, the wind was able to flip it up a little. This allowed some rain seepage, so i took it back off.
The plan was to reinforce the front edge so it couldn't be flipped up by the wind, and test again. But some "life $#!+" happened and the new top has been in a storage bin since.
i'll eventually finish this. I've got some very detailed plans so that once it's complete, i can give them to a fabricator and mass produce them. But i just found the pictures i'd taken of the prototype, so figured i'd share them. Enjoy.
#2
Registered User
I was expecting blue tarp and broom sticks. Wow you have talent. No one would expect that to have cost less than $700.
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
lmao! thanks.
no that's the top o' the line Sunbrella material . Once I get the fitment tested perfectly to the original frame, i'll then duplicate the frame. Then I'll find a local shop to make me about a dozen to start, and i'll offer them for sale to the YT community.
I've already adjusted measurements to fine-tune the shape of the windows, I want them as close as possible to the shape of the hardtop's glass.
if i get this done right with the materials i want, i should be able to sell them for just under $500 each for the black, and a little more for tan or red, plus an option for dark smoke windows.
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#9
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NICE! I'm interested when you get it all bugs worked out.
Are you going to make the frame easy to remove to reinstall the hardtop?
Or possibly have a option for a quick removal frame?
Keep us posted, for that reasonable price I'm interested in two.
Very nice & good luck getting it going.
Are you going to make the frame easy to remove to reinstall the hardtop?
Or possibly have a option for a quick removal frame?
Keep us posted, for that reasonable price I'm interested in two.
Very nice & good luck getting it going.
#12
Registered User
I own a Can-Back and love the design, since i can still use the roof for storage using the roof rails. I am going to need a new softop soon. I contacted Can-Back but they will not sell just the soft-top without the frame.
3 Suggestions:
1 - On the sides make three straps to hold the sides up.
2 - Use fastex clips instead for all the straps/webbing (makes install and rolling sides up so much easier, over time the straps/webbing material breakdown and don't slide thru the buckles easily).
3 - Mimic the 4Runner removable top window pattern, like your top now but add the rear side windows.
Visability with my Can-Back sucks, the hardtop is way better to see out.
Nice work
3 Suggestions:
1 - On the sides make three straps to hold the sides up.
2 - Use fastex clips instead for all the straps/webbing (makes install and rolling sides up so much easier, over time the straps/webbing material breakdown and don't slide thru the buckles easily).
3 - Mimic the 4Runner removable top window pattern, like your top now but add the rear side windows.
Visability with my Can-Back sucks, the hardtop is way better to see out.
Nice work
Last edited by RBX; 02-24-2015 at 04:23 AM.
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