Custom winter 1/2 top with tonneau cover

[Razorsharp]

He guys, I want to build a cab only half soft cover and do a tonneau over the back for my FJ40. I see Jeep makes one for some of their models and I want to do something similar. Does any one have know of a good quality vinyl fabricator that could build such an animal? Havent decided on whether I want to use aftermarket soft doors or incorporate the original hard doors. Either way this will have to be pretty air tight for snow country winters. Any thoughts appreciated!
-Mark

 

[Downey]

Downey Off Road Mfg. use to manufacture a 1/2 cab conversion a million years ago (when we were in business). The way we did it was to have customer use a set of genuine Toyota bows, but we provided a much shorter horizontal connecter bar, bringing the rear loop up closer to the main loop, I think it was only about 10" long. We then provided a sheet metal wall that went behind the front seats, it screwed into floor and wheel wells. Kayline built the 1/2 cab tops for us, but I think almost any good home-town auto upholstery shop might be able to fabricate for you. They won't have the molds and heater bonding equipment to bond-in the windows, but they can sew them in.

 

[Living in the Past]

Downey Off Road Mfg. use to manufacture a 1/2 cab conversion a million years ago (when we were in business). The way we did it was to have customer use a set of genuine Toyota bows, but we provided a much shorter horizontal connecter bar, bringing the rear loop up closer to the main loop, I think it was only about 10" long. We then provided a sheet metal wall that went behind the front seats, it screwed into floor and wheel wells. Kayline built the 1/2 cab tops for us, but I think almost any good home-town auto upholstery shop might be able to fabricate for you. They won't have the molds and heater bonding equipment to bond-in the windows, but they can sew them in.

Years ago one of the Kayline vinyl half half tops showed up on eBay. Computer glitch couldn't bid. Have enough bows laying to make one of the. I'm sure @JohnnyC has one of your catalogs with a picture. I know I have a catalog from 74 with one somewhere.

 

[Downey]

Yep, I believe the Downey 1/2 cab was even on the front cover of 4 Wheeler magazine once, as I think I recall.

 

[Razorsharp]

If you could post a picture of that I would love to see it!

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

A few of us have built soft half cabs for our 'wheeling 40s. I modified an old BestTop soft top. It isn't pretty, much helps keep you warmer and dryer than just doors and a bikini top does.

Alan

 

[pb4ugo]

An old Kayline, which is no longer w/ us.
View attachment 753780

 

[pbgbottle]

Pics of half cab here from Downey catalog in this thread.

half cabs soft or hard?

 

[Rock40]

Another option is cutting down a factory top to construct a 1/2 cab. Shortening the fiberglass was the hardest part and I use a soft cover (same material as soft tops) to go around the back. It snaps in place and was made by a local upholstery place. The entire top can be removed in under 5 minutes using only a 10mm wrench. Also, it weighs less than 40lbs

Picture with the rear cover snapped into place

Nevermind the clown who's leaking fuel everywhere, at least you can see the rear window in this shot

 

[82cruiser]

Modified Kayline top w/ OEM bows.