hi...with flame suit on and hat in hand, i come to you asking for advice/help. i've done quite a bit of research, and have yet to see done what i'm trying to accomplish, so i thought i'd ask for advice and perhaps turn this in to a "how to" if my idea comes to fruition.

anyway, here goes...

my runner has been bobbed 8 inches, and in order to carry a full-size spare tire in the back, the rear glass has been removed (and is long gone) and the tailgate modified quite a bit...with that in mind, i need to make the hardtop fit for weather and theft prevention purposes.

i've seen the various strategies for bobbing a top...sectioning at the sliding window, removing the back widow and glassing over the hole...but i think my lack of a need for a functioning rear window (at least in terms of sliding in to the tailgate) opens up some interesting possibilities. i'd really like to preserve as much rear window-age as possible...i've never really worked with fiberglass, aside from fixing a surfboard here and there, but here's what i'm thinking...

cut behind the rear side windows, removing the bulky bit that supports the rear glass...then, build some sort of frame (or not) to glass in that can support a leer-type lockable rear window (like from a truck cap). or, perhaps just source a leer top and cut the rear window out with enough glass around it that i can stick the two together?

interested in any advice, input, or suggestions that anyone might have.

thanks,

clark

 

I think you should bob the FRONT of the top. Looks better IMO and keeps it looking like a 4runner top.

 

like section at the sliding window? two reasons why i don't want to do that...first, it makes the sliding window essentially useless. second, it doesn't help me solve the lack-of-a-rear-window problem...

 

Okay i see what you mean. How about a custom softtop? Thats if you have the money to spend, or have a buddy that owes you a favor

One thing i can tell you about working with fiberglass. Look up some videos on youtube. It always helps to see how someone else does it.