FJ40 Soft Top Selection

[CruisinGA]

This top might be home made (this was right after I got it, has since smoothed out) but it has one feature I haven't seen elsewhere-
The top zips apart all the way around at the blue line which converts it to a "factory frame bikini top" which I love. Much better coverage than a standard bikini top on the roll cage.

I haven't seen any other top makers do this.

 

[405]

Anyone know where I can get a White soft top?
Most of the ones I see are khaki or black. I was considering going with the Khaki but I really like this white one below.

 

[jsuthey]

I have an older K-line soft top w full doors that convert to 1/2 doors. They were made in Colorado, I’m sure there’s a few more out there they are very stout! Mine has been in my garage for ever stored up in the rafters. I’ve been just using the 1/2 doors w a bikini top when my 69’ 40 was running. Before I saw this thread, I’m planning on installing it soon to make it easier to tarp over. This is a perfect time as we’re have a late season heat wave. Always good to have it warm to make the install easier. I’ll post up a few pics later.

 

[jsuthey]

I have an older K-line soft top w full doors that convert to 1/2 doors. They were made in Colorado, I’m sure there’s a few more out there they are very stout! Mine has been in my garage for ever stored up in the rafters. I’ve been just using the 1/2 doors w a bikini top when my 69’ 40 was running. Before I saw this thread, I’m planning on installing it soon to make it easier to tarp over. This is a perfect time as we’re have a late season heat wave. Always good to have it warm to make the install easier. I’ll post up a few pics later.

Here’s a old school pic w the top on! Sometime around 1998 at Hollister Hills OVH area by Gilroy,Ca. Good times, That place is great!

 

[Unimogguy]

Honestly I’m extremely surprised some boat top repair company hasn’t stepped in?!?!?

Since Julie is out of business(?). I’m sure a boat top shop could relatively easily find a top that was widely loved (like the Kayline @Living in the Past and OCD @whitey45 had for sale) and make a copy of the pattern?!?!? It seems there’s a lot of 40 owners who’d like to have a high quality top? I’d like to have one for my ‘67 45 for the front and rear!

 

[jsuthey]

Here’s a old school pic w the top on! Sometime around 1998 at Hollister Hills OVH area by Gilroy,Ca. Good times, That place is great! View attachment 3460233

Got my soft top installed today! Been a long time since I’ve had it on. Pretty straight forward trying to remember the steps. I laid it out in the sun wile I screwed the frames on. Going to mess w the doors tomorrow.

Really need to get my 40 running again everything’s there but it’s been outside for a long time covered but rust monster is closing in! Be better once I can get it in the garage. Just trying to document if it helps anybody out.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Troa.
View attachment 3458071

Hey did your bows come powder coated?

 

[Catching Neutral]

@Roastchestnuts
The bows came black. If I remember correctly the add says PC. I am not sure if they were powder coated or sprayed but the coating was very thin.
I scuffed with steel wool, primed and painted.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

@Roastchestnuts
The bows came black. If I remember correctly the add says PC. I am not sure if they were powder coated or sprayed but the coating was very thin.
I scuffed with steel wool, primed and painted.

Thanks I am making my purchase by the end of the week. Additionally how many of the twist fasteners did you use? Pretty stoked I finally stored enough money away for a soft top.

 

[Catching Neutral]

@Roastchestnuts
Congrats. I cannot wait to see it.
8 twist fasteners. 4 per side. Cruiser corp is currently sold out.

https://shop.cruiserparts.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=23437

 

[Roastchestnuts]

@Roastchestnuts
Congrats. I cannot wait to see it.
8 twist fasteners. 4 per side. Cruiser corp is currently sold out.

https://shop.cruiserparts.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=23437

Same its been a long time coming! perfect! I just purchased 8 from toyota parts deal. Need to find some footman loups too. seems like I need 10 of these.

 

[Catching Neutral]

@Roastchestnuts ….are you ordering from Troa? If so the top comes with twist locks footman loops.
I didn’t care for the twist locks which is why I ordered OEM. The footman loops are fine however I wasn’t happy with the fasteners (screws) so I sourced Stainless nuts and bolts from my local Ace.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

@Roastchestnuts ….are you ordering from Troa? If so the top comes with twist locks footman loops.
I didn’t care for the twist locks which is why I ordered OEM. The footman loops are fine however I wasn’t happy with the fasteners (screws) so I sourced Stainless nuts and bolts from my local Ace.

I bought oem twist locks too so Ill use them and maybe sell the ones it comes with or keep as spares. I am doing Troa, I didnt realize It came with the footman loops thats good news. Ill probibly get better hardware like you said. It comes with the snap button things for the windshield frame I am guessing? and also the window frame channel for the front of the soft top?

 

[Catching Neutral]

It does come with hardware for each side of the window frame. M6. I had to use rivnuts for the window frame channel because a 78 doesn’t have the holes from the factory. I think your might have them already.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

It does come with hardware for each side of the window frame. M6. I had to use rivnuts for the window frame channel because a 78 doesn’t have the holes from the factory. I think your might have them already.

Yeah I know there are little holes up where the frame channel will go. Ill have to check when it all comes in to see if they line up though. I think I am also going to do rivnuts. Luckly I have some from another project.

 

[Living in the Past]

To my knowledge there was only one pattern for the seven bolts used to hold the soft top channel in place. Not sure when in the mid 1960s the hard top and soft tops became universal where you can use the other type. I have the bows and channel off a 67 model model. Channel is shaped like earlier welded on style. The bolt pattern is the same as my 69 and 73 channels. At some point in the late 1970s Toyota punched the holes in all the windshield frames and only welded nuts on soft top models which was none in the US market. I have a late frame I'm not sure could be off a 82 model since there is two wire run thru for the interior light. Is has the seven holes without welded nuts. What it does have is the six holes from sheet metal screws used for the universal two piece bikini channel. Universal because I'm guessing these were sold for jeeps as well as FJ40s.

 

[igotta40]

Twist locks & footman loops are available at marine supply stores, or online try Sailrite.

 

[andybudge]

TOP

• andybudge
• Jul 29, 2023

Top

• andybudge
• Jul 29, 2023
• 1

Toyota's in the Park 2023

• andybudge
• Nov 5, 2023

I was fortunate to have the original Top to use as a Template. Used it to copy stitching type, fittings placement, sizings and all fittings types. I managed to source a high resolution copy of the Makers Mark and had this etched on to the Vinyl ( Strataglass) Windows. Canvas is Haartz Stayfast. ( Tan / Tan)

 

[Roastchestnuts]

TOP

• andybudge
• Jul 29, 2023

Top

• andybudge
• Jul 29, 2023
• 1

Toyota's in the Park 2023

• andybudge
• Nov 5, 2023

I was fortunate to have the original Top to use as a Template. Used it to copy stitching type, fittings placement, sizings and all fittings types. I managed to source a high resolution copy of the Makers Mark and had this etched on to the Vinyl ( Strataglass) Windows. Canvas is Haartz Stayfast. ( Tan / Tan)

That looks really nice! thanks for sharing.

 

[cims1970fj40]

Julie’s Dirt Road built mine, and the bows are Real Steel (Trollhole).

View attachment 3458500

I love how tight that top is amongst other things. Did you go with PVC or 3 ply?