making your own soft top.. because lets be honest.. you've built everything else (3 Viewers)

[apeterson]

awesome!!!!!!!!!

 

[No jeeep]

wonder what that stayfast material is... $80 a yard is wicked pricey - is it the same stuff wrangler tops are made of? that stuff is nice.

Miami Corp can send samples. I think they charge a little but it beats buying something you won't be happy with.

 

[antFJ]

i'll probably get some samples then

here is where i'm at now.. corners are done - i'm not sure i got them quite right.. we'll see. they seem a little short. once i get the straps on and the rest of the velcro i'll know for sure.

 

[DSRTRDR]

for my type of soft top you need to use velcro.. otherwise you'd have to use rope like the factory ones... - I've had this top for 3 years and have never had an issue with the velcro (i'm talking about the rear of the truck not the flaps)

EDIT: below is my paki top

yeah, I was talking about velcro on the sides

nice-looking top

 

[JohnnyP]

Nice work! I was just debating about starting a thread asking for templates for a full or bikini top. Very cool.

 

[bikersmurf]

Nice work! I was just debating about starting a thread asking for templates for a full or bikini top. Very cool.

I've got an old Bestop bikini top I can take some measurements for your thread...

 

[bikersmurf]

to make my seams (hems?) i'm just folding the fabric over - you can get some edging if you want or even put something in the hem to strengthen it up like marshall had suggested before.

I use an iron to get the seam made nice and then use this vinyl glue which dries almost instantly to set the seam before i sew it... final step.. sew the seam down (about 1 cm away from the edge... the thread you see on your top right next to the edge is the thread that actually holds the fabric together. (see below))

In your third picture (post 23) there appears to be an imbalance in the thread tension. Since its only for a 1/2" or so, it was likely caused by: tacky glue (not 100% dry), not holding the ends of the thread when starting a new line of stitching, or ?? sometimes the way the machine was threaded.

I'm impressed. I know how challenging some of this stuff can be. Over the last few years, I've done mostly upholstery of custom foam in place wheel chair seats, and straps... and shoe modifications/repairs.

When joining Velcro in straps, I recomend cutting (or sanding) the hook (off the hook side of the Velcro) for 1/4-1/2" so that you can have the loop overlap the hook without the extra bulk. This works well for "pull back" straps.

 

[bikersmurf]

One other thing on Velcro... For the finished product, don't cut corners... Use the best brand name Velcro you can buy. We've tried some knockoffs and they've not passed the test of time.

Annother thing, the adhesive backed Velcro does Wierd things, and becomes a sticky mess if you stick it to many vinyls.

 

[antFJ]

update

just got my d-rings in last night.. not sure if i like the placement of them.. i want to move them up in the future.. but they are tight and the top itself fits awesome! the top is tight and makes the sound of a base drum when you tap it! very very happy

about to go make the sides now...

 

[caladin]

Very nice job! I desperately want one of those old industrial singer walking foot machines like that my old Kenmore just does not compare.

Color me envious!

Cal-

 

[whats the deal]

Well Done!

 

[alberta mac]

Good thread !
I can share some thoughts and ideas... Met a guy at Catamount some years ago who built his own soft top ( Rene ) white cruiser. His was everything you wanted ... roll up sides, 45 style or full top, could scale down to a bikini top aswell and had no hardware needed.

I like the suggestion of a winch cover as it would be a good practice piece.

 

[myquestoyota]

I hope you're making a pattern cuz we're gonna want to buy one from you. Looks great!

 

[UZJ40]

VERY cool thread! Thanks for posting

 

[Max.Powerzz]

Once you get this finalized you should make patterns and sell them with directions, I'd definitely buy them from you so I could make my own top. It would be very useful for those of us who don't have a template to begin with.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Anthony,
Are you leaving some room for shrinkage? That might tighten up and be too tight.

 

[antFJ]

Anthony,
Are you leaving some room for shrinkage? That might tighten up and be too tight.

actually no i didn't.. and I didn't wash the material before either.. however I found out why it's so small. my pattern for the rear two pieces is about an inch short for some reason.. i just lined up my sides to match the bottoms of the rear pieces and lost a lot of material on either side.

still.. not too bad for my practice attempt

the sides and the zippers are by far the hardest pieces.. i really need to slow down and take my time to make sure everything stays lined up properly before I sew.

 

[antFJ]

Once you get this finalized you should make patterns and sell them with directions, I'd definitely buy them from you so I could make my own top. It would be very useful for those of us who don't have a template to begin with.

we'll see about that.. if i would sell anything i couldnt just jump the gun and start taking people's money.. wasn't my intention when i made this thread :/ i will definitely post measurements... i have an idea of how i'm going to get some pictures to get people started

 

[roma042987]

great thread but looks really time consuming....how much would you charge to make me one.

 

[antFJ]

great thread but looks really time consuming....how much would you charge to make me one.

Im not planning on making to sell sorry. I already work 10-12 hrs a day! As far as time..i made a pattern and this top in under two weeks... Sure beats waiting a year for a top. I probably have about 15 hrs into this.