Sell hardtop and doors for a softop??

[Benjitis1]

I got a hardtop and a set of doors with my cruiser, but im never going to put them back on. thats part of why i bought the cruiser, i can take the top off in the summer. So im thinkin i want a softop instead and i want to sell the hardtop and doors and use that money to put towrads a new top. Good idea?? Many of you run softops in the winter??

 

[bsilva132]

That is what I did. The hard top is a pain to store during the summer and I do not drive the 40 enough during the winter to need one. I kept the hard doors though. Soft doors are hard to see out of (you have to duck down to see out). I picked up a used softop for snow wheeling cheap, but most of the time I do not run anything more than a bikini top to keep the sun out. Keep in mind that I live in the CA central valley where it does not really get cold. If I lived somewhere less warm, I probably would have kept the hard top. Plus the hard top always made it feel top heavy.
-Brian

 

[Benjitis1]

Its rainy and pretty cold here (Washington State) in the winter, but when it gets really nasty i'll drive my f-350. Ive heard some complaints about besttop tops, any brands i should stay away from, fitment issues, weak fabric, etc?

 

[65swb45]

I don't think there are a heck of a lot of choices left.

I have often wondered about the mildew factor with soft tops in the PNW. Maybe someone here can speak to that.

Best

Mark A.

 

[rangerJ401973]

Hello All,

I run with a best top here, in the Pacific Northwest. Yeah, they "sweat" in the winter. I made it a ritual every few days to wipe the inside(especially the inside roof) with a mild cleaner so mildew would not build up/rust too from the drips. After a few years of doing this, both the top and the truck are still in great shape!!

If it's sunny I have the top off no matter what temp. I also park the J40 inside now too, so I do not need to wipe it out as much. I just roll down the windows so I can get some circulation in the vehicle and any moisture goes away.

Thanks, RangerJ401973

 

[Benjitis1]

Ranger- Sounds like what i want to do. Even in the winter, cruise with the top down on sunny days. Its just so mucheasier to throw the soft top back on a nice day and be able to put it back up in a freak rain storm. With the hardtop, its a pain to take off by myself, and if i go somewhere without it and get caught in bad weather, im screwed.

I may have to bite the bullet and just get rid of my top and doors and get a soft top. If i dont like it, i can buy another top i guess.

 

[matt5783]

hi hows it going i was wondering what shape the hard top and doors are in.would you be willing to break up the pair and sell the doors seperate? just wondering i understand if you want to keep it a complete package.
matt5783

 

[spotcruiser]

Hell Mark, hardtops mildew here in western Washington. Everything mildews here if you don't do something to prevent it.

One of my trucks doesn't get driven much and I have to keep the seat belts pulled out of their retractors to keep them from mildewing over the winter.

Todd Bull.

I have often wondered about the mildew factor with soft tops in the PNW. Maybe someone here can speak to that.

Best

Mark A.

 

[randle]

hey benj,
whats the condition of your top? i might want it if you don't. probably don't need doors... my top has been damaged by the old "latches left unlatched" trick. mines also kinda rusty around the drip rail. i'd go with a soft top also but i want to be able to keep some tools stored in it at times.

 

[matt5783]

i also got soft doors on my fj40 and a soft top but im looking for hard doors i would trade for them ,but i think im getting the better end of the deal considering your doors are hard steel.and mine are vinal. what i found out running with the soft doors is i couldent get a good seal on the doors. there was some kind of leak someware. if i were you id keep the hard doors and run with just the soft top just a suggetion let me know if you want to trade good luck

 

[green73]

I regretted selling my hard top and doors. I finally re-acquired all the pieces to restore a top, and 2 sets of doors (yes one set will be 1/2 doors). I still have the soft top too (STC brand, now not available). Sometimes it is just nice having the hard top. It is nice having the options.

IMHO, if you have the space to store it, keep the top. A good one is a PITA to come by, and can be expensive.

 

[Benjitis1]

I do have a place to store it, but i dont see when i'll ever put the hard top back on, except to sell it, which i dont want to do. I have a set of steel half doors available to me, anyone ever use soft top with steel half doors and a soft upper door to mount on the steel lowers?

 

[rusty_tlc]

I do have a place to store it, but i dont see when i'll ever put the hard top back on, except to sell it, which i dont want to do. I have a set of steel half doors available to me, anyone ever use soft top with steel half doors and a soft upper door to mount on the steel lowers?

I hate to say this since I really want your hard doors, but I think you will hate the soft doors. It's the top half that is a PITA so a half steel door won't help.

To me the ideal set up is a soft top with hard doors.

 

[Benjitis1]

Im gonna have tosearch to see pics of softops on, with soft doors, full doors, half hard doors, etc. Hopefully it will help with my decision. Also, so you know, in case i sell my doors and top, my doors dont have the window cranks or regulators, and one of the windows is cracked. But they are sanded and freshly painted.

 

[slickrock]

I don't think there are a heck of a lot of choices left.

I have often wondered about the mildew factor with soft tops in the PNW. Maybe someone here can speak to that.

Best

Mark A.

I lived in Humboldt County for 5 years back when I had a CJ 5 with a Best Top soft top and yes, mildew is an issue. It rains there 9 out of 12 months nonstop. Soft tops do not completly stop the rain when it is comming hard and they do leak and they do get a mildew smell in them. Every time the weather would clear, I would open the thing up and let it air out but the mildew smell and dark mildew stains never went away. In that weather, the top lasted 4 years max before it rotted out.

 

[SD_FJ_40]

Benjitis1,

Regarding which soft top to use...

I want to retire my old Bestop. It was the Tigertop style, and I do not recommend it. If you do go with a soft top spend a few extra bucks and get the Supertop style. The rail system is much better then the snaps.

If anyone knows when or where STC (Specialty Top Company) is going to resurface please let me know, that's what I'm holding out for.

You can also go with the Pakistani Safari Top, there was a post about them the other day.

I just got a hard top after a lot of searching and waiting for a good deal, they are worth holding onto.

Just my $0.02