Custom factory top

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Phila cruise

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jan 11, 2007
Threads
20
Messages
136
Location
Illadelphia
I picked up a factory hard top off e-bay for $10. Went last weekend and picked it up in NJ. All the glass was good, but the head liners ripped and the sliding window frames were toast.

I ripped the rear passenger windows out, and I will replace with dark gray, transluscent plastic. I plan on doing a quick release from the inside.

I want to cut a hole in the top, and cover with vynil snapped in place.

I'll leave the rear cargo area windows in place.

I'll use the stock one in the winter and the modified one in the summer.

Anyone, have any advice, suggestions, comments?

Anyone used the stock top as a frame/basis for a soft top, yet?
red top.webp
 
thanks for the link

Thanks for the link. I haven't done much yet. Just started making the templates for the plexi windows. And I have an idea on where I will cut. I will get my gasketing material nailed down before I do too much. The quick release hardware requires more research too, but I will keep you posted.

Just put her in the shop...new calipers up front, new wheel cylenders in the rear, new brake lines...Getting geared up for the first trip to the rivers in South Jersey.
 
seems kind of a strange idea to me. being as
its a removable top and all....


but i can justify cutting a hole in a $10 top so you can mount a M2 .50 cal. machine gun turret. but im sure id be happy with a potato gun up there too.
 
options

more open than stock with option to close in case of rain. I like it with the top off, but if i am on an extended trip, I'll leave the top on just in case, with the mod I'll have a little bit of both worlds.

originally I was just going to use the top as a frame for a soft top, but am thinking this direction now.

Have fun with your potatoes:flipoff2:
 
Phila cruise said:
I want to cut a hole in the top, and cover with vynil snapped in place.
Click to expand...


And just how do you plan to keep it water tight?

might I suggest a very wide 1"-1.5" commercial grade Velcro?

that might also not be water tight but until I know your plan it might be more than the snaps

I like these people allot but I'm only biased because there web site looks BA not cuz I ordered anything from'em............yet....



Velcro - Hook & Loop - Custom Shapes & Patterns - Specialized Textile Outfitters
 
Last edited:
Snaps

The plan was to build a channel maybe 1/4 above the top of the top, around the area cut away. This along with some rubber gasketing material should do an OK job.

I am trying to decide what to build the channel with.

Fiberglass? No experience

I am thinking some 1/4 in aluminum dowels, siliconed into place aroung the perimeter. This will last a season or two, I figure.

It will provide tenison to tighten the vynil, provide less space for the water to pass thru, and force the water to go upward, before it would be able to penetrate the truck.

But velcro is a better idea than the snaps. Less labor all around.

Thanks
 
douglashuft said:
Have you seen the top on the black twiddy 4 runner?
Click to expand...


for those who dont know what your talking about a link or more info would be appreciated THX.



LIKE ME! :lol:
 
twiddy?

Is that the black top in the link above? No, I haven't seen it if not. I can also keep a roof rack with this set up. With no top at all, I loose a platform for my roof rack, although, that could be fabricated as well. Any body, try a traditional truck pick up bed rack system?
 
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