TEQ
Tigger
I purchased a SOR (black) Bikini top and Tiger channel recently. Here's what it looks like on my rig:
I had done a ton of searching the forums for how to install a Bikini top and, frankly, was disappointed with the lack of detailed pictures & information. Most posts either showed the final result or shi**ty/blurry pictures of who knows what. Until I got my top & channel and started installing it I really had no idea how it worked. I figured it out, but I would have been much more efficient if I had more info beforehand.
So I decided I'd post what I learned as I installed mine, along with a few good pictures in the hope that it will help others. This is not a challenging install once you understand what's-what. But, if you are like me (a clueless noob) you will probably appreciate this:
First, you will need somewhere north of 11 "nut-certs" (7 for the top of the windshield frame and 2 each for the footman loops in the back). In my case I used #6 "Pop Jacknuts" that I found at Fastenal:
On some FJ40s the top of the windshield frame already has threaded holes for mounting the top channel. My '78 only had 7 holes that were NOT threaded. I think others may have no holes at all. For those of us with either no holes or holes that are not threaded some sort of nut-cert is required. Apparently there is a special tool for installing these Jacknuts, but I found that a simple nut big enough for the screw to fit through coupled with an open ended wrench will hold the Jacknut while you screw the screw in to secure the Jacknut:
Now about the top: The SOR top has a plastic strip (actually two) across the front. These are designed to go into a "channel" that is installed on the top of the windshield frame.
Plastic Strip that inserts into channel:
The top goes over the OEM roll bar and then two straps attach to footman loops you need to install in the rear corners of the tub. I followed the SOR instructions for drilling a hole and using the supplied sheet metal screws and I can already tell these screws will back out. I have already replaced one with a "nut-cert" (see below) and will replace the other 3 when I get a few more (I ran out). I suggest you do the same the first time.
Footman loop:
I choose to install my footman loops as far back in the corner as possible. I suppose it would be ok to install them more centered, but I am hoping (but doubtful) that I can leave them on when i put the hardtop back on (another reason for using nut-certs instead of sheetmetal screws).
The Channel:
The channel was very mysterious to me. AATLASX (I think) sent me an aluminum set years ago and I finally got them out last week and tried to figure out how they worked. It was clear that they were not wide enough for the SOR top. I did not want 1.5" of top sticking out the sides. So I ordered the Tiger channel set from SOR. The SOR product is also aluminum, but painted black. It bends down on the ends so that the top, when installed bends down too:
It is now obvious to me that the channel goes on the top of the frame and the open end of the channel points forward. But before I actually had a top I wasn't sure if that was right. I thought maybe it went on the front of the frame with the channel facing up, or maybe the channel faced back and the "bead" on the top would 'snug-fit' in. I didn't know this because I couldn't find a single picture on the Internets that actually showed the detail! Sigh.
Now you know.
Here's what on of the Jacknuts looks like installed:
This shot shows the channel, the screws, and the top (including the plastic strip) all in one pretty picture:
Finally, a few more obligatory glamour shots:
Cheers!
I had done a ton of searching the forums for how to install a Bikini top and, frankly, was disappointed with the lack of detailed pictures & information. Most posts either showed the final result or shi**ty/blurry pictures of who knows what. Until I got my top & channel and started installing it I really had no idea how it worked. I figured it out, but I would have been much more efficient if I had more info beforehand.
So I decided I'd post what I learned as I installed mine, along with a few good pictures in the hope that it will help others. This is not a challenging install once you understand what's-what. But, if you are like me (a clueless noob) you will probably appreciate this:
First, you will need somewhere north of 11 "nut-certs" (7 for the top of the windshield frame and 2 each for the footman loops in the back). In my case I used #6 "Pop Jacknuts" that I found at Fastenal:
On some FJ40s the top of the windshield frame already has threaded holes for mounting the top channel. My '78 only had 7 holes that were NOT threaded. I think others may have no holes at all. For those of us with either no holes or holes that are not threaded some sort of nut-cert is required. Apparently there is a special tool for installing these Jacknuts, but I found that a simple nut big enough for the screw to fit through coupled with an open ended wrench will hold the Jacknut while you screw the screw in to secure the Jacknut:
Now about the top: The SOR top has a plastic strip (actually two) across the front. These are designed to go into a "channel" that is installed on the top of the windshield frame.
Plastic Strip that inserts into channel:
The top goes over the OEM roll bar and then two straps attach to footman loops you need to install in the rear corners of the tub. I followed the SOR instructions for drilling a hole and using the supplied sheet metal screws and I can already tell these screws will back out. I have already replaced one with a "nut-cert" (see below) and will replace the other 3 when I get a few more (I ran out). I suggest you do the same the first time.
Footman loop:
I choose to install my footman loops as far back in the corner as possible. I suppose it would be ok to install them more centered, but I am hoping (but doubtful) that I can leave them on when i put the hardtop back on (another reason for using nut-certs instead of sheetmetal screws).
The Channel:
The channel was very mysterious to me. AATLASX (I think) sent me an aluminum set years ago and I finally got them out last week and tried to figure out how they worked. It was clear that they were not wide enough for the SOR top. I did not want 1.5" of top sticking out the sides. So I ordered the Tiger channel set from SOR. The SOR product is also aluminum, but painted black. It bends down on the ends so that the top, when installed bends down too:
It is now obvious to me that the channel goes on the top of the frame and the open end of the channel points forward. But before I actually had a top I wasn't sure if that was right. I thought maybe it went on the front of the frame with the channel facing up, or maybe the channel faced back and the "bead" on the top would 'snug-fit' in. I didn't know this because I couldn't find a single picture on the Internets that actually showed the detail! Sigh.
Now you know.
Here's what on of the Jacknuts looks like installed:
This shot shows the channel, the screws, and the top (including the plastic strip) all in one pretty picture:
Finally, a few more obligatory glamour shots:
Cheers!
