Custom bikini top from KTT (1 Viewer)

[shtbrwn86]

I've have a SoftTopper on my 4Runner since 2010 and while I really like it, I prefer to roll with no rear top in the summer unless it's a really hot day and I have the kids in the back. In those cases I would grab the Soft Topper out of the garage and install it. It works, but it's heavy and bulky and kind of a pain to put on in a pinch. Plus I have to keep it in the truck if I want to put it on mid-day. This got me thinking about bikini tops but I don't want to remove the Soft Topper snap-on frame in case I want the full protection of the Soft Topper. I reached out to them and asked about a bikini version that uses their same mounting snaps and they were not interested in my idea.

Fine, so on a whim I reached out to KTT and they were super excited about my idea and had no problem modifying their top by adding snaps and some buckles to their bikini top to work with the Soft Topper snaps. End result is AWESOME! I love the material. It's very light. I can keep it rolled up in a small stuff sack in my rig and just put it up when I want in about a minute.

I realize this might be a super niche concept, but if anyone has a Soft Topper and wants to add a bikini option then they now have all the measurements and can make one for you pretty easy.

 

[JDMStanNTopSoft]

Great build!
But does anyone build actual soft-top conversion kits for the 4Runner?

 

[gnob]

ktt and softopper

 

[shtbrwn86]

ktt and softopper

If you want the full soft top that most resembles the hard top get a soft topper. I bought mine used in 2010 and it spent seven years parked outside in western Washington and I never had to open the seam sealer it came with. Fantastic soft top.

 

[JDMStanNTopSoft]

If you want the full soft top that most resembles the hard top get a soft topper. I bought mine used in 2010 and it spent seven years parked outside in western Washington and I never had to open the seam sealer it came with. Fantastic soft top.

Will do. Thank you so much!

 

[dohcdelsol93]

I also have the ktt soft top. Garaged at night but a DD here in the southeast. Humid year round, wet cold winters and hot dry (still humid) summers. Purchased new in 2020

If I don't apply water proofer every 2-3 months it will leak during frequent rain.

They recommend 3m water proofer, I've had better luck with Starbrite brand which is what I've always used on my boat canvas along with all their deck cleaners/waxes.

I chose black with tinted windows. Hot in the summer sun but the AC keeps up plenty for my needs. Probably wouldn't work for a DD with the better half when it's above 90 in the middle of the day.

Even down to sub 20 degrees the heat has no issues keeping up.


Some soft top quirks:
This is made to keep your functional rear window. The d rings on the back of the top hit the window unless you roll it down a couple inches. Install the Velcro tinted rear window and it's not an issue. Annoying issue I've not dealt with yet. Need to stich in some Velcro to hold them up when not in use

With the top and sides on, all three windows down(doors and rear window) the top is very loud past about 50. The side windows flap loudly. I put some pipe insulation on the rear frame support arms to prevent chaffing. If it's not too hot to ride around without ac I'll open the corner window vents and roll up the windows until we're off the freeway. Luckily it only takes a minute or two to remove the sides on nice days.

The top will sag between supports on the top during heavy rain, sag and collect pools of water.

I put bungee straps across to stop the sag. This creates a different issue, now the clip ends of the bungee chafe the top. I glued leather liner in at these points.

As these age so does the Velcro. I've had the front Velcro of the side panels detach at highway speeds a few times, usually I just pull over and re grip. I've went over the Velcro with a tooth brush for cleaning/straightening a few times but didn't seem to improve much. Considering adding some stainless snaps to prevent this as that's easier than cutting out and putting in new Velcro.