Differences in soft tops

[Living in the Past]

After looking at the FJ40 soft top picture Dean posted lately in another thread I noticed that it was different than the FJ25 top that Badger made. The Badger tops was copied fron Phil original FJ25 canvas top. So it looks like Toyota changed the top during FJ25 model or run or very early in the FJ40 first year. That Bumper was the same as the FJ25 and only on the FJ40 during 61. The picture Dean posted was one of a group of three JohnnyC sent me. All three had the same top. Plus I remember seeing the FJ25 top in factory literature

So if I only get one top and use it on a FJ25 and a FJ40 which style do I get.

If you can't tell the difference the early top used twists on the side panel the later one looks to have a zipper.

Dean that is one of my favorite FJ40 pictures I've ever seen also.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

John, are you looking at the rear vertical on the side panel? Mine is patterned from the old pictures, it has the twists hidden under a flap like the ones on the tub. One of those details that made it a lot of work.

Phil's top and the Badger repro had them exposed (attached). Not sure what's right, wrong or better.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Not sure what's right, wrong or better.

With the weather predicted for the weekend..................dry is better.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Not that I have an FST, (yet), but I figured the flap over the twists would be a plus...probably one of those little quality over quantity details that Toyota was so keen on.

I'd go flaps with twists

PS...I also noticed that the side windows are higher on the original old picture...

 

[JohnnyC]

there are soooo many differences in tops...the earlyer ones had a bit more consistancy.

I would go with twists all the way around...much easyer to replace a twist yourself than a zipper...to be authentic you would need brass zippers...however...they are not long lasting and will fail...the twist will not fail as quick as a metal zipper.

The flap I'd say was a great improvement...the one reason for the twists to fail (NE Weather) is corrosion on the twists shaft

 

[JohnnyC]

I also like the smaller side window closer to the top of the side curtin

some windows were rivited in using a metal ring

 

[Living in the Past]

Okay no zipper just a flap. While I have four Kayline tops and another aftermarket I'm not sure who made (the one in the picture) I've never had my hands on any OEM top. So twists under the flap? If the OCD soft top thread ever looked like it was moving towards forward for more than a few days at a top I would put a deposit down on one but I still haven't seen that happen. Since the flaps looks like a better idea and correct for the FJ40 Jim could just send me his top and I could get some made here.