The hartop side panel donor idea is one I have though of alot also, it would work if you could get enough used panels for donors. I live outside denver and have thought about getting a bender and making OEM looking soft top bows.
Possibility for soft tops in the US (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tad Wuertz
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Do you seriously think that you can compete with the price of the Paki tops?
On a group buy, they are around $820+domestic delivery. I think people would pay more if the quality was there and the delivery was substantially shorter. But how much more is the question.
I do business with many machine shops and metal fabricators through work and I asked a few to look at making the bows. The cheapest I found was $1,200.00. The right fabric is at least $25 per yard and the 12 gauge clear vinyl windows are $11 per yard. It all adds up very fast. I am not knocking you, I just think that there is a reason that no one has made a decent OEM-like top for a reasonable price in the US.
On a group buy, they are around $820+domestic delivery. I think people would pay more if the quality was there and the delivery was substantially shorter. But how much more is the question.
I do business with many machine shops and metal fabricators through work and I asked a few to look at making the bows. The cheapest I found was $1,200.00. The right fabric is at least $25 per yard and the 12 gauge clear vinyl windows are $11 per yard. It all adds up very fast. I am not knocking you, I just think that there is a reason that no one has made a decent OEM-like top for a reasonable price in the US.
the $820 is without bows correct? I think it is in the 12-1300 range with bows.
I don't think it needs to be thicker in diameter, but maybe in wall thickness? Is that what you meant mototo?
I was thinking the upper door jamb could be sand cast from aluminum or even be made out of fiberglass or plastic.
Just brainstorming.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
the manufacturer of my top charged me $750.00 (canvas alone) they were sold to another canvas shop ...far from me...so i never was able to get more made...but...the current owners are interested in making tops...but they need an example rig to make more tops...for fitment issues and repossitioning some things that are different from an oem top...and that was 'shipped' for $750.00 and if they make some that will be about the price.
they have been dragging because they are swamped with m-37's and mutts right now
mine is a thick military canvas 22oz and coated...double walled over all bows...weather flaps over the zippers...heavy duty large zippers ( not like the kayline/bestop garbage) and uses cotton webbing and heavy steel buckles and turnlocks...they even made the bow over the top of the door accept a bar to slide in to hold it like a kayline oem replacement top....so much easyer to remove that way.
they have been dragging because they are swamped with m-37's and mutts right now
mine is a thick military canvas 22oz and coated...double walled over all bows...weather flaps over the zippers...heavy duty large zippers ( not like the kayline/bestop garbage) and uses cotton webbing and heavy steel buckles and turnlocks...they even made the bow over the top of the door accept a bar to slide in to hold it like a kayline oem replacement top....so much easyer to remove that way.
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With bows.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
they can see a top and its construction...get ideas...make templates for early cruisers...and construct the first canvas for the early 40's/25's....i think that would be cool
At this point Sean doesn't have the canvas for the early soft top just the bows. Phil's (FJnotCJ) original canvas is still back east. That's what's needed for a pattern. As far as the rest I have it here in AZ too. At some point most of it will be moved down to the Phoenix.
John
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
ahhhhh gotch ya...looks like 'Badger Coach Works' is dragging also ...mike will have a great top but...i dont think the price will be reasonable
for the 25 crowdRandy's '82Cruiser' here on mud has an earlyer oem canvas fj40 top with the removable sides and rear window ...that would be a nice one to copy.
Definitely zip out and roll up sides would be a great feature. I also saw a top with triple windows in the back, one center and two side, that looked awesome. I will try to find some example pics to post...I think it was one of the Paki tops.
where in colorado? i just pulled my oem replica top off for the winter. i'm north denver. he can use my top and bows as a pattern for the winter.
motoloco is not correct about the bows being easy. blake at kayline/stc already borrowed mine a couple of years ago to see about replicating and said there's no way it would be cost efficient. tops could be modified to fit more like a besttop/stc top though. that would make them considerably more user friendly.
motoloco is not correct about the bows being easy. blake at kayline/stc already borrowed mine a couple of years ago to see about replicating and said there's no way it would be cost efficient. tops could be modified to fit more like a besttop/stc top though. that would make them considerably more user friendly.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
some good canvas pics here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/159334-****canvas-maintenance-****-oem-soft-tops.html
but thats not all i got
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/159334-****canvas-maintenance-****-oem-soft-tops.html
but thats not all i got
I'd love to be able to get my top from the USA but like SouthBostonFJ mentioned, it might be hard to compete.
It looks like Ehsan has every type of FJ tub sitting in the desert and fits his tops and bows directly to them. You can't get much more perfect than that.
It looks like Ehsan has every type of FJ tub sitting in the desert and fits his tops and bows directly to them. You can't get much more perfect than that.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
there are many who need a top but no canvas...that there would be a nice market to capitalize on...i was in that boat for many years.
Trip back window example....pulled off of the Paki Top thread. Good look. Doesn't look like they have put the windows in yet in this pic but you get the idea. Not really too sure about the two tone though.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
they dont normally come in 2 tone...that one ehsan did for a customer...that one was originally a single window in the rear that I photo chopped into that, when i was thinking of having ehsan do a top for me about 4 years ago
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
some good canvas pics here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/159334-****canvas-maintenance-****-oem-soft-tops.html
but thats not all i got
for actually oem 7 window soft tops see the link above
- Thread starter
- #57
All good ideas and thought to consider. I think the best thing to do would be to try to make one for my 64 first to figure out cost and time. That way no one elses rig is jepordized, and we can make sure that they will be to the quality that everyone wants.
x2! I have a set of original Toyota bows and now got tired of waiting to another alternative beside the Pakistan top (nothing wrong with Pakistan top and I heard many people like it, I just prefer something different)...So put my bows on sale at the classifed so let me know if anyone's interested.
/td
MustardFJ40, sent you a PM at 2:08 about bows, check it out and let me know, thanks
If you do it I am in!!!
USA all the way!!!
USA all the way!!!
