How many of you take your tops off?

[CruiserStuff]

Never seems like there's anyone around when I want to take the top off mine.....I take it all the way apart (the rear doors, hardtop sides, fiberglass cap) and take it off in sections. Just takes one person (just make sure it isn't windy when you try to get the cap off by yourself!!!). Goes on just the same and stores in a smaller area than all together. Just make sure it is in a dry area and definitely not sitting in the dirt.

 

[landcruiserrich]

I always took mine off in the summer and put a bikini top on...the cruiser. It's not that big a deal to lift the top off and on if you have 2 or 3 buddies come and help, just costs a case of beer. Just don't do what I did and drink all the beer before you put the top on, now I need a new sun visor.

 

[saltrig]

Never seems like there's anyone around when I want to take the top off mine.....I take it all the way apart (the rear doors, hardtop sides, fiberglass cap) and take it off in sections. Just takes one person (just make sure it isn't windy when you try to get the cap off by yourself!!!). Goes on just the same and stores in a smaller area than all together. Just make sure it is in a dry area and definitely not sitting in the dirt.

I do the same. Makes it a fairly simple one-man job even if it is more . I hesitate taking the top off though because everyone starts refering to it as a heep again. That bugs me. There's no mistaking a 40 with the bonnet on.

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

So, does anyone actually leave the top on all year?

I have had my 40 almost a year but it hasn't been running well enough for me to bother taking it off. Figure she'll be sportin' a bikini top and no doors this next summer when she's running awesome again.

 

[77HesterSue]

Just got my 40 in October last year and the top has never been off - not by myself or previous owners. We have some good weather months in Iowa, but I haven't decided if the top will come off or not. I like that it's never been off, but also like the idea of driving topless!

 

[rusty_tlc]

So, does anyone actually leave the top on all year?

I have had my 40 almost a year but it hasn't been running well enough for me to bother taking it off. Figure she'll be sportin' a bikini top and no doors this next summer when she's running awesome again.

I didn't take the top off for the first 8 or 9 years I owned mine. It didn't seem worth the work. But once you do it you never want to put the top back on.
Do your self a favor, invest in a set of fabric half doors. If you do need to drive in the rain or on a cool morning they will keep you dry and hold some heat in. As long as you are moving and have a bikini and half doors you will stay dry even in a hard rain.

Just got my 40 in October last year and the top has never been off - not by myself or previous owners. We have some good weather months in Iowa, but I haven't decided if the top will come off or not. I like that it's never been off, but also like the idea of driving topless!

Take your time when you remove the top for the first time. And count on replacing the rubber gasket when it goes back on. As usual when working on your Land Cruiser start treating the bolts with the PB blaster/ liquid wrench at least a couple of days before you try to remove them.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Took my hard top off in 91 and it has not been back on since. Only need a soft top around here though in the winter.

 

[spackrackman]

Here in the UK, took my hard top off for the 1st time this summer just gone. I spent most of my time hiding under a plastic sheet from the rain, I am not taking it off agian, but I must admit it handled better!

 

[ocdbeetle]

Just got my 40 in October last year and the top has never been off - not by myself or previous owners. We have some good weather months in Iowa, but I haven't decided if the top will come off or not. I like that it's never been off, but also like the idea of driving topless!

Oh, Jennifer...Any Pics of your rig yet? I might have missed them....

 

[hedonist]

gotta go topless! at least march-oct. makes driving much more fun

 

[Jake40]

I cant even remember the last time mine had a top on it. Topless is mucho better

 

[KOOTENAY KRUZER]

Only took the top off my BJ40 once, now the stereo & CB are mounted to it, won't drive it without the top. Whichever truck I am driving is also full of recovery gear and survival gear that I don't want stolen. Have never had the top off the BJ42 since I got it but hopefully when all is said and done the '42 will eventually live with only a bikini top and half doors.

 

[FJ40 CruiserEd]

No top. Bikini and half doors in winter are fine in SoCal. Drove to work last week when my commuter car was at the shop. 89 miles, 40 degrees, 4:30 am, some rain...no problem with good jacket and half doors.

My dad keeps his hard top on full time...but he's 75.

 

[ocdbeetle]

Only took the top off my BJ40 once, now the stereo & CB are mounted to it, won't drive it without the top. Whichever truck I am driving is also full of recovery gear and survival gear that I don't want stolen. Have never had the top off the BJ42 since I got it but hopefully when all is said and done the '42 will eventually live with only a bikini top and half doors.

Thats a good arguement for keeping the top on.....Not foolproof obviously, but certainly more of an obstacle than the soft top......