My girl topless, well sorta
Jun 4, 2011 | 11:45 AM
#1
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My girl topless, well sorta
Well since the major selling points for me on the 1st gen 4runner were:
Seats 5 people
Not crazy expensive on gas
Has a removable top
I figured it was time to go topless:
So off to the hardware store I went to get some eye hooks and straps, and a few hours later:
Then I got to thinking, that was a lot of work to get that thing off, and its going to rain this weekend... :hammerhead:
So off to the internet gods I went
And I found Softopper.com!
Needless to say I placed my order, and it was shipped the next day! Impressive if you ask me, anytime I have ordered aftermarket parts in the past they take 3-5 days to even ship. And keep in mind this was memorial day weekend.
Got this box in the mail yesterday:
I was like :suprised: that's a small ass box, how in the world is a soft top going to fit in there?
I got out the tools and materials which I figured would be required:
14 stock hard top bolts
6 inch socket extension
12mm socket
Rachet
Razor blade (to open the box)
Medium sized Phillips (not pictured)
Cordless drill (not pictured)
Took everything out of the box and started reading:
Starting to actually look like a softtop! Amazing how much crap can be crammed into a box that small. Everything was packed really well, with extra padding on all the metal parts.
Last pics of her before install:
Installed the first bracket, fit like a glove, over the factory weather stripping. Uses 6 of the factory bolt holes and 6 factory bolts. It has button snaps on the side closest to the weather strip, and includes an additional weather strip.
Next I installed the "rails" with the button snaps on each side. This used the factory bolt holes also, 3 bolts per side (you end up with 2 left over factory bolts and holes, I put the bolts in eventually just so they are there when I need them if I ever decide to put the hard top back on.
Lining it up before I tightened it down:
Installed:
Next you install these funky plastic brackets:
Then start building the "frame":
Next you drape the soft top over the roll bar and snap it to the frame in the very back of the truck that you just built, (I also snapped the ones in the front):
Then slowly but surely snap all of the buttons (probably would be easier on a hot day, the canvas was not very forgiving).
Then you build a metal bar (3 pieces, uses 2 self tapping screws, this is where you use the power drill) that goes through a sleeve in the rear window and attaches to the funky plastic brackets pictured up above. Sorry didn't take pics of it, it was getting late, wanted to get it finished up. Then you simply zip and velcro the rear window.
Comes with a great canvas bag to store the top in if you want to put it down completely:
Completed:
(dont mind the micro fiber towel, was cleaning in that area to install some extra weather striping, included with the package)
In my opinion it was worth every penny! It also included clips to roll up the sides and rear windows, basically making it into a bikini top. And the rear window is removable if desired.
The fitment turned out great, with minor adjustments. The kit also included some seam sealer, some padding for the frame that goes in between the frame and the windows to avoid discoloration, and some velcro for the rear tail gate (optional) for the rear window to attach to.
Overall it took me close to 2 hours to install. But now that I have done it once, I could do it again with my eyes closed in about 30 min.
Last edited by mat305ster; Jun 4, 2011 at 08:23 PM.
Jun 4, 2011 | 01:47 PM
#7
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From: I'm a Masshole
Vehicles like this make me hate living in the Northeast...you just don't see that type of condition anymore.
If I win the lottery, I'm buying a 1st Gen Runner like yours to park at my future beach house.
If I win the lottery, I'm buying a 1st Gen Runner like yours to park at my future beach house.
Last edited by ProjectMcFly; Jun 5, 2011 at 06:59 AM.
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Jun 4, 2011 | 03:35 PM
#10
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,448
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From: Virginia
Thanks for the great write-up! Your 4Runner is one of the most beautiful original ones on here. I got my Softtopper a couple of weeks ago and was also concerned about how small the box was. I won't be putting it on until I get my '89 painted and install my Harbor Freight top hoist. My garage ceiling is 13'7" so this ought to be fun...
Jun 4, 2011 | 07:00 PM
#12
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From: Tempe, AZ
Great looking 4Runner, cleaner than most new 4Runners I see on the road!
Why that elaborate rig to take the roof off? Once you get all the bolts off you can lift the back and slide it off. Takes a bit of muscle but it isn't all that heavy. With two people its even easier.
Why that elaborate rig to take the roof off? Once you get all the bolts off you can lift the back and slide it off. Takes a bit of muscle but it isn't all that heavy. With two people its even easier.
Jun 5, 2011 | 07:49 PM
#14
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Yes, I could have easily taken the hard top off by myself and left it on the garage floor.
I rigged up the straps and eye hooks so I could pull it up to the ceiling and forget about it.
I don't think I will ever put it back on, loving the soft top.
I rigged up the straps and eye hooks so I could pull it up to the ceiling and forget about it.
I don't think I will ever put it back on, loving the soft top.
Jun 7, 2011 | 03:47 AM
#19
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,458
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From: the beach
It bears repeating: That's a beautiful 4Runner, and the soft top looks great. You're going to enjoy the heck out of it. Before my 4Runner, I had an '86 Bronco with a soft top, and I really liked it. I believe it was made by Bestop, and while it worked well, your hardware looks to be more substantial. Just beware that now you may be more of a target for the employment-challenged crowd.
