FJ40 Bikini Top Question

[RWBeringer4x4]

Given the condition of my hard top and doors, I fully expect any outing, in any season, for several years will be topless. For as clean as my tub is, my hard too and doors look like they got thrown in the ocean for a few years. I strongly suspect my hard top sides may be unsalvageable.

As such, a bikini top will have to do until that bridge is thoroughly crossed, one way or another.

 

[fireball]

Did you ever decide on and order a bikini top? I'm researching which one to buy now...

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Did you ever decide on and order a bikini top? I'm researching which one to buy now...

Not yet - got sidetracked when Gary pointed me toward a H41 transmission/3-speed case combo. Plus - the garage is a disaster and as much as I’d love to take the hard top off I have nowhere to put it currently - so this is stalled for now.

I’ve heard good things about the trollhole tops (now sold direct from his supplier) and I try to support the forum vendors where I can so that’s likely the direction I’d be leaning.

 

[akrover]

Is there a soft top / bikini top windshield channel bow that you can use that doesn’t require drilling the windshield frame to mount? I really want to get a bikini top (and eventually full soft top), but don’t want to drill any holes in the frame. I tried searching without much luck.

 

[pb4ugo]

Can't you drill the channel to match the threaded holes in the windsheild frame?

 

[1911]

Is there a soft top / bikini top windshield channel bow that you can use that doesn’t require drilling the windshield frame to mount? I really want to get a bikini top (and eventually full soft top), but don’t want to drill any holes in the frame. I tried searching without much luck.

All of the ones I have seen (including mine, from Spector(?) require at least sheet metal screws to hold the channel on. There is a lot of tension on the bikini top (and hence on the front channel) to keep it from flapping in the wind like crazy.

What I did was to drill and tap threads into the top spreader bar over the A pillars of my roll cage, and mount my channel to that. But that only helps you if you have (or will be getting) a roll cage.

 

[akrover]

Can't you drill the channel to match the threaded holes in the windsheild frame?

I would have assumed so, but I called SOR today and he said you can’t do that.

All of the ones I have seen (including mine, from Spector(?) require at least sheet metal screws to hold the channel on. There is a lot of tension on the bikini top (and hence on the front channel) to keep it from flapping in the wind like crazy.

I get that, but on my old defender the soft top channel bow just screwed into the same spots the fiberglass hardtop did, and if LR can get that right on a vehicle that was sold new with no roof, I would think it would be possible on a Toyota. I just hate the idea of drilling holes into a 42 year old all original vehicle.