New to the site,new to owning an fj40,and amazed at the knowledge and talent on this site and this thread.Awesome job!
making your own soft top.. because lets be honest.. you've built everything else (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter antFJ
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #162
what i've been working on....
top gun canvas
regalite 30 gauge window vinyl
UV resistant thread
YKK zippers
leather reinforced front corners
reinforced edges for all straps (straps not sewn on yet)
all seams sealed to ensure 100% waterproof
wrinkles will go away when i get the straps on the back - nothing to pull it tight right now.
top gun canvas
regalite 30 gauge window vinyl
UV resistant thread
YKK zippers
leather reinforced front corners
reinforced edges for all straps (straps not sewn on yet)
all seams sealed to ensure 100% waterproof
wrinkles will go away when i get the straps on the back - nothing to pull it tight right now.
Stumpalama
Forum Junkie
antFJ: Nicely done! I'm digging your soft door tops. Any chance you have some pics of the construction, build processor at least the interior? I need to fab some of these up when I fit my FST.
- Thread starter
- #164
Those doors are made in Pakistan so i dont have pictures of the support under the canvas but if you search for one of the group buy threads from 2008 there are pictures in that thread
Stumpalama
Forum Junkie
Ahhhh, gotcha. I've seen those, thanks.
- Thread starter
- #166
for those sewing windows... i find it to be a huge pain in the ass. the next top i make I am going to try and use this method.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF7i-iAgzZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF7i-iAgzZc
Stumpalama
Forum Junkie
Those are great videos!
I did some test windows using that video in some material I got with my sewing machine. They turned out really well and was easy. Your top is looking great.
- Thread starter
- #169
update:
my soft top doesn't quite fit on OEM/Real Steel Bows yet it fits my Pakistan Bows perfectly.
Can anyone with pakistan reproduction bows measure from B-pillar to B-pillar and rear bow to rear bow?
This is the stock bow measurements... both of mine are around 60.5"
If we can confirm that the measurement should be more towards 62" from b-pillar to b-pillar I can update my measurements from page 5.
my soft top doesn't quite fit on OEM/Real Steel Bows yet it fits my Pakistan Bows perfectly.
Can anyone with pakistan reproduction bows measure from B-pillar to B-pillar and rear bow to rear bow?
This is the stock bow measurements... both of mine are around 60.5"
If we can confirm that the measurement should be more towards 62" from b-pillar to b-pillar I can update my measurements from page 5.
i tried to send you another pm, but your box is full 
so, ill post it here...
i seem to remember this issue came up at the time (years ago, so im a little foggy on the details). the quality is pretty good considering they're hand formed from canibalized roof panels and random tubing, made on a dirt floor with only hand tools and a blow torch.
i believe ehsan said there was built in adjustability by spreading the sleeve to the desired distance, drilling, and pinning with a screw....also, by where u drill the holes for the grommets to pull taut. in addition, get the top wet and it'll shrink to size. the only real problem is when it gets wet OFF the car.... sucks to stretch it back to size. ask me how i know.
looking at the above pic (i hadnt seen this thread, so now i know what youre looking for).. both of mine seem to be 61 inches wide
so, ill post it here...
i seem to remember this issue came up at the time (years ago, so im a little foggy on the details). the quality is pretty good considering they're hand formed from canibalized roof panels and random tubing, made on a dirt floor with only hand tools and a blow torch.
i believe ehsan said there was built in adjustability by spreading the sleeve to the desired distance, drilling, and pinning with a screw....also, by where u drill the holes for the grommets to pull taut. in addition, get the top wet and it'll shrink to size. the only real problem is when it gets wet OFF the car.... sucks to stretch it back to size. ask me how i know.
looking at the above pic (i hadnt seen this thread, so now i know what youre looking for).. both of mine seem to be 61 inches wide
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- Thread starter
- #171
thanks johnny - I got in touch with one forum member with ehsan bows and he confirmed around 61" as well.
Looks like the pakistan bows are a little narrower than the OEMs/real steels out there.
I'll just widen the design... better to have it a little wider on the sides than short.
Looks like the pakistan bows are a little narrower than the OEMs/real steels out there.
I'll just widen the design... better to have it a little wider on the sides than short.
Has anyone considered making and selling a pattern off an original? I'm sure there are quite a few people who would be interested in a pattern so they can make or have made an OEM soft top.
- Thread starter
- #173
It took me many hours to make my pattern... there is no way to make a pattern fast enough and cheap enough to make it appealing.
I doubt many people would buy a $100+ pattern
Edit: with bows and a tape measure you can make your own pattern
I doubt many people would buy a $100+ pattern
Edit: with bows and a tape measure you can make your own pattern
Anthony-
Don't forget, Ehsan offered early and late bows. Late bows would be narrower at the top.
Don't forget, Ehsan offered early and late bows. Late bows would be narrower at the top.
- Thread starter
- #175
There you go!! Thanks! I didn't remember. Mine are definitely the later ones.
What an edneavor !
Looks great.
Looks great.
- Thread starter
- #178
alright... i think I've got this whole early/late bow thing figured out... here are some pictures of my new top. I started buying top gun material straight from a fabric supplier and the fabric seems to be a little heavier, the color always matches from different rolls, and it seems a little more like vinyl (I was getting it from ebay before).
I've added gussets near the door for my new design/measurements as well. This particular top is going on an early truck. I have no idea how Toyota designed the rear corners for the twist locks but this is what I came up with. Otherwise the corners are too tight and you can't reach up under to fasten the twist locks on the extra flap.
I've added gussets near the door for my new design/measurements as well. This particular top is going on an early truck. I have no idea how Toyota designed the rear corners for the twist locks but this is what I came up with. Otherwise the corners are too tight and you can't reach up under to fasten the twist locks on the extra flap.
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myquestoyota
SILVER Star
Looks great ant, someone had to. Love the look with your half doors. Most of us don't have the skill or the time but I love the fact that that you did it.
thenative1
SILVER Star
Great work!
Ant,
I've been stalking this thread for a while. Really great work/research!
I've got a Sailrite LS-Z1 and reasonable sewing skills. (Apologies if I missed it in the thread but what machine are you using?)
My recent purchase of a 100% stock BJ44 soft top (picture below) is coming with a "new" top which I think will be reasonable quality but I'm fairly confident I can improve on it, thanks to the foundation you've established. I think the only real change on mine will be a slightly longer body but I'll wait to confirm.
Are you pleased with the Top Gun material? I'm tempted by Sunbrella or potentially even waterproof Cordura with some Tenara lifetime-guaranteed thread.
Fair warning but I'm definitely going to be sending some questions your way. Thanks again for the great work.
Best,
Evan
Ant,
I've been stalking this thread for a while. Really great work/research!
I've got a Sailrite LS-Z1 and reasonable sewing skills. (Apologies if I missed it in the thread but what machine are you using?)
My recent purchase of a 100% stock BJ44 soft top (picture below) is coming with a "new" top which I think will be reasonable quality but I'm fairly confident I can improve on it, thanks to the foundation you've established. I think the only real change on mine will be a slightly longer body but I'll wait to confirm.
Are you pleased with the Top Gun material? I'm tempted by Sunbrella or potentially even waterproof Cordura with some Tenara lifetime-guaranteed thread.
Fair warning but I'm definitely going to be sending some questions your way. Thanks again for the great work.
Best,
Evan
