FJ40 Bikini Top Question

[RWBeringer4x4]

Hey all,

At some point in the near future I'm going to need to pull the roof and doors from my 40 to start patching all the holes. At the rate I work, that means I won't have a roof or doors again for a very, very long time. The truck is mostly driven Spring-Fall anyway - so I'm tossing around the idea of a Bikini top to tide me over until I can get the hard top rebuilt (or replaced, if it's way too far gone).

My question: Every version I've seen uses footman loops that mount on the rear of the tub, which means the Bikini top's straps impede any use of the rear jump seats. I'm wondering if anyone has relocated the footman loops so the straps run around the outside of the jump seats, or otherwise devised a method of keeping the straps out of passengers' faces.

I saw one example a while back where someone wrapped the straps forward and mounted them to loops mounted to where the sun visors usually go - that's an option but it looks a bit odd. Curious if there's a more elegant solution?

 

[Shark56]

Rick I don't have a picture handy but my straps were long enough to go on the outside of the roll bar hoop. Kept them out of the way of the jump seat area.

 

[JohnnyC]

i used to run one like this for several years... would be good to do again.... not have to hear the kids fight then lol

when i had a normal bikini i had the straps on the outside of the roll bar and seats... held it a bit tauter

 

[Shark56]

Cropped picture but you can see the strap.

 

[Voodoocruisers]

The straps on the ones Trollhole, Spector and probably others sell are long enough to go to the outside of the roll bars. Not a problem for rear seat passengers.

 

[brian]

Remove sunvisiors.
Place footman loops in place of visors.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Thanks all - I'm eyeing up the Trollhole top - and was hoping this would be the answer.

@brian - That's what I'd mentioned in the first post. It's definitely an option, just wondering if there were alternatives. Out of curiosity - does running it that way keep it pretty tight? Seems like it would be tough to apply tension.

@Shark56 - is the strap held around that rollbar hoop entirely by tension or do you have something tying it on? Hard to see in the picture, seems like it would want to slip up and over.

@Johnny C - I do like the duster...just probably more costly than I'm looking for. I've got a kid in daycare now - the cruiser fund is hurtin' these days!

 

[brian]

They dont stay tight wherever the straps go.
I've one mounted to the rear and one mounted forward...both required frequent adjustment....there is a massive balloon effect while driving.
Having the straps forward allowed for tightening on the fly so to speak.

 

[imyahucklbrry]

Nice little DIY job here: Bikini top my way diy

 

[Shark56]

I have two of the Best-top bikini tops. One stays tight and on with just the straps to the footman loops, the other will sometimes pop loose from the front rail.
I use nylon rope run in a cross pattern on both of them to make sure they don't fly off on the highway.
The rope goes from the front corner mounting hole of the windshield Frame then back to roll bar hoop, secured with a couple half-hitches. Forms an "X" on top that helps keep the bikini top from billowing up.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I have two of the Best-top bikini tops. One stays tight and on with just the straps to the footman loops, the other will sometimes pop loose from the front rail.
I use nylon rope run in a cross pattern on both of them to make sure they don't fly off on the highway.
The rope goes from the front corner mounting hole of the windshield Frame then back to roll bar hoop, secured with a couple half-hitches. Forms an "X" on top that helps keep the bikini top from billowing up.View attachment 1983681

Good call on the rope. The best-top “rail” while convenient always seemed a little sketchy but it seems to be what most of the bikini tops use.

 

[ArizonaFJ]

Another option you might consider especially if your passengers want some shade. Post 20,500 at the bottom of the page. What have you done to your Land Cruiser this week? Details are a few posts later on the next page.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I remember when you posted that. I guess my only concern there would be how to run the hoop, since I have jump seats - the hoop creates the same problem the straps do. I suppose I could run a hoop outside the roll bar instead but I feel like that would look odd...

 

[pbgbottle]

The bestop ones where designed for the straps to go outside OEM roll bar to clear the rear jump seats the straps are sewn on at an angle to keep the top tight while routing outside the roll bar only pic I could find I have had mine on outside of cage for years works good


,,

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

The bestop ones where designed for the straps to go outside OEM roll bar to clear the rear jump seats the straps are sewn on at an angle to keep the top tight while routing outside the roll bar only pic I could find I have had mine on outside of cage for years works good


,,View attachment 1985015

Always been a big fan of that rig! Wonder if the trollhole option is cut similarly. Bestop is an OK option (though I've heard the material usually only lasts a couple years) but I like to support Mud Vendors when I can.

 

[pbgbottle]

My bikini is probably more than 15 years old. Just don’t over tighten the straps they do rip off or the plastic piece for lack of better name that you tighten the strap with can break off. I hear ya on supporting mud vendors for sure my favourite bikini top was the old kayline one toffee material thicker and had a metal clasp instead of plastic ,I haven’t seen a trollhole one in person.

Always been a big fan of that rig! Wonder if the trollhole option is cut similarly. Bestop is an OK option (though I've heard the material usually only lasts a couple years) but I like to support Mud Vendors when I can.

 

[Gr8Pmkn]

I would add myself as someone who experienced a breakdown of the BestTop bikini after several summers, started to tear at the straps likely from being cinched down to the point of stressing the material. Replaced with a SOR family top which is more of a Cordura nylon material, not sure if it will hold up better, but I do like the full coverage for the family cage.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

In the words of Chris Rock, in his "buying a car" skit... "F*ck the passengers, they ain't paying all this money for this riiidddeee."

A more polite response - I don't know that I have people riding in the back frequently enough to justify a family-style top. Something for the front seats is probably sufficient. Nobody's doing long trips in the jumpseats - mostly just around town stuff.

 

[tls3601]

I have the Bestop, most fun way to drive around in a 40 at 45mph or less, the top will baloon up at higher speeds!

 

[tls3601]

I have the Bestop, most fun way to drive around in a 40 at 45mph or less, the top will baloon up at higher speeds!

Actually when I restore my brothers ‘76 and have the too off I plan on a few outings with the Bikini top only-good times!