Any interest in Fj40 safari tops for FST bows

[roma042987]

BLUF: If anyone would like one made I need to know sooner than later. I am dropping the 40 off at the upholstery shop on the 5th of June.

I had this top made for my 40 last year and had a couple of people inquire about getting one made. My top was made out of a waxed canvas tarp but, I can have some made out of Sunbrella material. The option will be black or tan and the cost is $360-400. This attaches to top of the windshield like any other top but also to the top of the FST style door frames. This one will actually keep you dry if you have doors on your cruiser and doesnt flap around like a bikini top. My 40 has the real steel bows. I'm also having him add a velcro or snap style loop to attach to the B-pillar bow to keep it from bubbling up at hwy speeds. Although mine didn't seem to have that issue it seems to be a common concern and is an easy addition. Please shoot me a PM if you would like one.

 

[Bripars40]

Looks great!

 

[Living in the Past]

Was this made in AZ? As I remember this was a 75 you picked up in Yuma.

 

[tex45]

Would love a single cab version for the 45!

 

[brian]

Yes, yes I would be interested.

 

[Living in the Past]

Yes, yes I would be interested.

View attachment 3645703

Keep it mind your B pillar is further forward on the early soft tops.

Would like one for my 73 FST but tan wouldn't look good on orange and black in AZ is not my first choice.

 

[78crzr]

Looks great! Will hard doors open/close normally with this top?

 

[roma042987]

Was this made in AZ? As I remember this was a 75 you picked up in Yuma.

Yes, the cruiser is currently in Yuma as well as the upholstery shop. He needs the 40 there to make the top and I should be able to drop it off for him next week. I will be traveling back at the end of June so the window will be closed unless he decides to make a template. It seems having it there for test fit is ideal.

 

[roma042987]

Looks great! Will hard doors open/close normally with this top?

So just for clarity, this is just the canvas top not the bow kit. I have fitted hard doors on several soft top 40s with no issues. I think it depends on aftermarket or toyota bows and some people dont have an issue while others adjust the door striker or do other more invasive things.
There are discussions on hard doors with soft top bows not fitting well in other threads if you are interested in reading up on it.
I would prefer to keep this thread on topic.

 

[Living in the Past]

How does the top stay in the door headers? Some soft tops have a cord sewn in while Kayline sewed a loop that a aluminium rod slipped in.

 

[roma042987]

How does the top stay in the door headers? Some soft tops have a cord sewn in while Kayline sewed a loop that a aluminium rod slipped in.

It's a commercial sewn in bead that is universal to awnings and boat tops

 

[Living in the Past]

It's a commercial sewn in bead that is universal to awnings and boat tops

I'm not in Phoenix right now. What type of channel is used across the top of the windshield. Originally the channel was spot welded on FST. In the mid sixties it was a separate bolt on piece so a hard top could be used. When the 68 model started that piece changed so it would not interfere with the new single motor windshield wiper that replaced the two motor TNK wipers. The new channel angle first to allow clearance for the new wiper arms.
In this picture in the center of bows is a red 67 channel and pewter 69 channel.

I assume no channel is provided? What channel are you running. Looks like it could be the aftermath two piece style used on jeeps as well as FJ40s. The length of the top would change a little with each style. The later OEM raises the top a little and all my Kayline tops have a flap with a snap to the windshield.
Can be seen in this picture.

How do the corners seal. I have a number of set of the two piece aftermarket channels.

 

[red66toy]

Interested! I just need some bows now.

 

[roma042987]

I have Real Steel bows on the three cruisers I installed. The ones I installed all had threaded holes in the frame to install the factory channel. I do not like the two piece aftermarket channels because they do not secure it well. The factory and Real Steel channel is a U shape. The corners overlap, no snap like some I have seen. It could be added but I do not see it necessary.

 

[roma042987]

 

[clrussell]

I like this.

 

[roma042987]

Couple more photos of the Real Steel front channel.

 

[EWheeler]

What is the status of this? Is it too late for me to play? Is the shop templating to make more? How has the original you had them make held up?

 

[EWheeler]

What is the status of this? Is it too late for me to play? Is the shop templating to make more? How has the original you had them make held up?

Also, does MY FJ40 have to be on site for him to make the top? If thats the case I cant play this round….

 

[roma042987]

What is the status of this? Is it too late for me to play? Is the shop templating to make more? How has the original you had them make held up?

Also, does MY FJ40 have to be on site for him to make the top? If thats the case I cant play this round….

Shop is busy, and tops are not done yet, I head out of town on Friday so I am hopeful they will be completed by then. I will be back at the end of next month but really don't want to leave my 40 there while I'm gone. He is not making a template. Top has held up well but, in all fairness, I've driven it very little and it stays in covered storage when I'm not here. The craftsman ship is second to none. I have this guy make seat covers for my 40 and 70 series and his work is top notch. The Sunbrella material I am told is much stronger than what I used on my top and also UV resistant. My top is a bit stretchy so it looks pretty taught, I would presume the Sunbrella tops are not this way.