hardtop v softtop

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sarca

sarca

I upped my wrenchin skills, now up yours!
10 Year
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Threads
101
Messages
1,542
Location
Coastal NC
Website
onsc4x4.com
Okay, those you who said once I drove the 40 topless I'd never want to go back...you were right. I love my bikini top - but here are the facts and I need the feedback of the guys I trust most...
I love driving it without the hardtop
I have no garage.
I live on the coast.
The original hardtop has been dismantled, stored.
I have all the replacement hardware for rain gutter,all the rubbers, cross member too
I love driving it without the hardtop
Cost wise, I would have to sell the hardtop in order to afford a soft top and bows

Should I sell the hardtop, in its entirety..and would it be reasonable to expect that at least half of the sale of hardtop, replacement parts should easily fund half of a 2k softop and bows?
I'm thinking of the tops via Troll hole ($950 ish), and bows from realsteelcruisers.net ($925)

Did I mention I love driving it without the hardtop? :D
 
I myself would not wheel with one of those tops on as the chances of messing it up on a tree is too much. Other than that i would do it. I took mine off over 20 years ago and never put it back on. It is in storage. I run a Kayline in the woods. Cheap.
 
krzyabncanuck said:
I myself would not wheel with one of those tops on as the chances of messing it up on a tree is too much. Other than that i would do it. I took mine off over 20 years ago and never put it back on. It is in storage. I run a Kayline in the woods. Cheap.
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I'd probably keep the bikini top just for the occasional trail ride..and Darrin, I most definitely value your opinion,...and that epic beard.
 
For clarification, I would sell the old hardtop unrestored..
 
krzyabncanuck said:
Those tops are nice for sure. I would try to keep the hard top if there is any chance you might head anywhere up north again.
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Only on vacation Darrin =) Im a giant baby when temps get below 60!
 
I'd keep/store the hard top for anything to just to add to resale value (I know that you are most likely never going to sell it but s*** happens)

I'm not sure on the price of a soft top but you may want to shop around. I think that Jason Traylor's (addicted56) wife was making soft tops also.... not sure on price point at all. Though i'll see if I can find out.

Of course what I know about 40 soft tops should be taken with a grain of salt.
 
lt1fire said:
I'd keep/store the hard top for anything to just to add to resale value (I know that you are most likely never going to sell it but s*** happens)

I'm not sure on the price of a soft top but you may want to shop around. I think that Jason Traylor's (addicted56) wife was making soft tops also.... not sure on price point at all. Though i'll see if I can find out.

Of course what I know about 40 soft tops should be taken with a grain of salt.
Click to expand...

I'd be VERY interested on that nugget of info for soft tops..LMK!

And, btw what I know about 40 soft tops is almost as much as you...
 
Have not heard much about the tops for months now from Jason's wife.

I have had really good luck with both Bestop / Kayline tops. Granted Kayline is long gone, but i have had one of their tops now since 1990 and it is finally letting go. The part that is letting go though is the thread. I have more fishing line than thread on it now.

Not to turn you from OCD tops though, as they are great tops. Just have to have the bows also, where you buy a bestop it comes with the bows.

Keep the hard top if you can. I still have my original one. Not in tip top shape but it is here. Actually its just the doors that are bad on the bottoms.
 
Blue73 put a Troll Hole top and bows on my old 40. It looked pretty sweet.
Maybe he can chime in. Also keep the hard top.
 
How long would a soft top last out in the elements? If it's not garage kept, I would be concerned with mildew, fading, leaking, etc. I have no experience with a soft top but these would be my concerns in going to one. However, it would look badass on your rig! I'd find a way to keep and restore the hardtop though.
 
I have had my soft top for about 25 years now. The ONLY reason I am going to replace it soon is because it has more fishing line holding it together versus the thread they used 25 years ago. It sits outside all winter long with that top on now for those 25 years. No issues with anything at all. I do put treatment stuff on it every fall though when I first put it back on.
 
My two cents for what it is worth: getting rid of a hard top has regret in a few years written all over it.

I'd find a way / be patient to keep the hard top (not saying it always has to be on at all though)
 
Keep hard top. OCD tops are great!!! It is nice that you can roll up windows and back. I have just bought another one. Will post pictures once I get it. They are expensive since you have to get bows also but I think it is best option. If you could pop the sides and back off a hard top it would be great, but you can't. For me it gets to hot here to keep a hard top on all the time.
 
I agree, keep the hard top. Past that I can tell you that driving around with just a bikini top is the best part of a 40 (I did it with a 78 CJ7 for 5 years). Put the drop top back on during the winter months.
 
Keep the hard top. I plan on using mine every year from November-March and I already live in the South. If when I move you can bet I will be using it a lot more. Especially if I move back to the rainy PNW.

My wife was helping out my sister trying to get going with a home business so she could stay home with her 4 kids. She is a great seamstress. But after my wife left Oregon all advertising and real work stopped. Siobhan made a bunch of trail covers and I think a few other custom bits for people. She just did another trail top about a month ago but only when people contact her directly as the first few tops they sold for the same price as the material into them and I think the prices jumped by about double. Biggest problem with making a FJ40 top is she could never find an FJ40 to test fit one before selling. All I have is my FJ43 and not a lot of 40's rolling around in wet country.

Keep the top, prioritize your wants/needs for the cruiser and save for the top. You have 6 months until Summer.
 
Alrite, so ill keep the top- refurb it (already got all parts n pieces needed) Just for the winter months..

Thanks for opinions!
 
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