Homemade Soft Top

[Ocho77]

Are there any type of "blueprints" to make a reproduction soft top?

I see a few people have made their own to fit over their bows, and I am considering doing that, rather than buying one. Not sure if it's worth it or not, but thought I would see if the measurements are anywhere.

Thanks,
Jonathan

 

[Ocho77]

Bump...anyone?

Those that have made a soft top, did you just measure it yourself?

 

[4x4veteran]

This is the only picture I could find of my rag top. I used galvanized conduit for the stays. The hardest part was sealing around the door frames. I don't remember when I made it but this picture was taken in 02. We got 15 inches that storm. I am shoveling my mother -in -law's walk. I would leave the bikini top on and put the rag top over that with a Mylar space blanket in between. I think it was warmer than the tin box top. I used regular vinyl and after about 8 years of putting it on (which was a bit of a chore) and taking it off it was literally becoming a rag top.

 

[Ocho77]

@4x4veteran thanks. Looks like a hell of a storm.

I'm really looking for a reproduction soft top that fits over the factory soft top bows.

 

[DSRTRDR]

if I remember correctly, Antfj made his own top - search by his username and contact him directly

 

[cjgoode]

making your own soft top.. because lets be honest.. you've built everything else

Every thing you need to know is in there. Making mine is on my to do list, I even bought the walking foot sewing machine. Made a seat cover sewed a lot of stuff but have not gotten to doing a top or a bikini top yet. Life always gets in the way.

 

[4x4veteran]

making your own soft top.. because lets be honest.. you've built everything else

Every thing you need to know is in there. Making mine is on my to do list, I even bought the walking foot sewing machine. Made a seat cover sewed a lot of stuff but have not gotten to doing a top or a bikini top yet. Life always gets in the way.

I made my bikini top and also have done upholstery for my vehicles and house furniture. A lot of it was out of necessity. Some because I couldn't find what I wanted but mostly because I didn't study in school so I could get a cushy high paying job so I could pay someone else to make what I wanted for me. Now that I can afford to spend a little money I have become so used to DIY-ing it I just jump in and, do it myself. Do It Yourself and Save should really be Do It Yourself and Slave. Then if you get the wife involved there is the near divorce you have to tend with.

 

[cjgoode]

Back in the day people did almost everything themselves. About the only thing I have ever paid someone else to do is house AC work and putting a new roof on the house, because it is two stories. I do not know how we became a country of people who can barely change a light bulb without paying someone. Hopefully my kids seeing me do everything even if I do a fair to poor job will still teach them they can do anything.

 

[bikersmurf]

If you do some searching there are threads with factory soft top frame measurements.

Back in the day people did almost everything themselves. About the only thing I have ever paid someone else to do is house AC work and putting a new roof on the house, because it is two stories. I do not know how we became a country of people who can barely change a light bulb without paying someone. Hopefully my kids seeing me do everything even if I do a fair to poor job will still teach them they can do anything.

My second oldest son saw me do everything... he didn't seem to have any interest in doing things himself. However, now that he's living on his own... he is doing everything himself and a better job than most people you'd hire these days. Some of that is there is no longer any pride in workmanship these days.

 

[Ocho77]

If you do some searching there are threads with factory soft top frame measurements.

I found measurements for bows, but I have factory bows. Couldn't find measurements for the factory soft top. Maybe my search ability sucks, which is highly probable!



My second oldest son saw me do everything... he didn't seem to have any interest in doing things himself. However, now that he's living on his own... he is doing everything himself and a better job than most people you'd hire these days. Some of that is there is no longer any pride in workmanship these days.

 

[bikersmurf]

I've not seen blueprints for the material. AntFJ had the closest to them. The people who've perfected the plans are making a business of selling tops.

 

[bikersmurf]

I'd likely have seen it on mud... pirate not so much

 

[antFJ]

I've not seen blueprints for the material. AntFJ had the closest to them. The people who've perfected the plans are making a business of selling tops.

My tops are perfect if you ask me! I'm making another right now and google searching for my old thread for the measurements! Those measurements are spot on. This is my ~8th top. Just pay attention to which style bows you have as described in the thread