Soft top?
Apr 23, 2004 | 05:28 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Soft top?
Ok..Im sure you heard this question before but, I destroyed my back window today trying to put it back on track and I was wandering, (since its summer) maybey Ill just take the whole top off and replace it with a resonable soft top. Any one know where I can find a good soft top thats not going to cost an arm and a leg? Ill replace the window this fall. thanx bryan
Apr 24, 2004 | 10:07 AM
#2
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Blacksburg, VA
Originally Posted by newjerseyredneck
Ok..Im sure you heard this question before but, I destroyed my back window today trying to put it back on track and I was wandering, (since its summer) maybey Ill just take the whole top off and replace it with a resonable soft top. Any one know where I can find a good soft top thats not going to cost an arm and a leg? Ill replace the window this fall. thanx bryan
Assuming you have a 1st gen, definately get one. The ones they made 10+ years ago are wicked hard to find. I saw one on eBay a few years ago, that had lots of bids on it. It went for ~$200. I had one on my 89 4R. After the weather got consistenly above 50 degrees(mid-May), I never had my hardtop on. Ahh, the freedom of taking the top of whenever you feel like. No more need to find a friend to help remove the top.
There are a couple drawbacks. Mainly, lack of security. I took out the seat directly behind the driver's and built a speaker/ lockable-storage box. Also, the tracks that hold the the snaps require a lot of drilling in into the body. Additionaly, you have to keep a keen eye on the weather at all times. Many times did I haul a$$ to the parking lot. I think 1 min 30 seconds was my best time. It does take up some room in the back too. No easy way to store that thing. The vinyl doesn't like cold either. Don't get me wrong, these are only slight annoyances.
One last thing, the design is poor. It kind of just floats on the frame. It has two rods that sit in two holes in the uppder part of the frame behind the driver's cabin, which sit in a large U-section of tubing. This tubing links (by a metal bracket) with another large section of 1/2" U-tube near the rollbar. Very flimsy set up. I installed the cover, attached the back section of tubing, pushed the brackets back, and drilled holes to slide bolts into. By doing this you eliminate the rods and front section of tubing.
Hope you didn't fall asleep. If you have any questions, holla.
Apr 24, 2004 | 12:25 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by WraunVT
Assuming you have a 1st gen, definately get one. The ones they made 10+ years ago are wicked hard to find. I saw one on eBay a few years ago, that had lots of bids on it. It went for ~$200. I had one on my 89 4R. After the weather got consistenly above 50 degrees(mid-May), I never had my hardtop on. Ahh, the freedom of taking the top of whenever you feel like. No more need to find a friend to help remove the top.
There are a couple drawbacks. Mainly, lack of security. I took out the seat directly behind the driver's and built a speaker/ lockable-storage box. Also, the tracks that hold the the snaps require a lot of drilling in into the body. Additionaly, you have to keep a keen eye on the weather at all times. Many times did I haul a$$ to the parking lot. I think 1 min 30 seconds was my best time. It does take up some room in the back too. No easy way to store that thing. The vinyl doesn't like cold either. Don't get me wrong, these are only slight annoyances.
One last thing, the design is poor. It kind of just floats on the frame. It has two rods that sit in two holes in the uppder part of the frame behind the driver's cabin, which sit in a large U-section of tubing. This tubing links (by a metal bracket) with another large section of 1/2" U-tube near the rollbar. Very flimsy set up. I installed the cover, attached the back section of tubing, pushed the brackets back, and drilled holes to slide bolts into. By doing this you eliminate the rods and front section of tubing.
Hope you didn't fall asleep. If you have any questions, holla.
There are a couple drawbacks. Mainly, lack of security. I took out the seat directly behind the driver's and built a speaker/ lockable-storage box. Also, the tracks that hold the the snaps require a lot of drilling in into the body. Additionaly, you have to keep a keen eye on the weather at all times. Many times did I haul a$$ to the parking lot. I think 1 min 30 seconds was my best time. It does take up some room in the back too. No easy way to store that thing. The vinyl doesn't like cold either. Don't get me wrong, these are only slight annoyances.
One last thing, the design is poor. It kind of just floats on the frame. It has two rods that sit in two holes in the uppder part of the frame behind the driver's cabin, which sit in a large U-section of tubing. This tubing links (by a metal bracket) with another large section of 1/2" U-tube near the rollbar. Very flimsy set up. I installed the cover, attached the back section of tubing, pushed the brackets back, and drilled holes to slide bolts into. By doing this you eliminate the rods and front section of tubing.
Hope you didn't fall asleep. If you have any questions, holla.
Apr 24, 2004 | 12:49 PM
#4
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 2
From: Fort Collins, CO
A couple of years ago Downey Offroad was selling Kayline softops for the 4Runners. I remeber hearing that Kayline got bought out or something. I am not sure if Downey still sells them. Here is the link.
Linky
Linky
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
justdifferentials
Vendors Build-Ups (Build-Up Section)
14
Jun 11, 2017 08:36 PM
LotOMiles
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
8
Sep 14, 2015 11:45 PM
