This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
FJBen
SILVER Star
I"m interested as well. BJ74.
JDMStanNTopSoft
Supporting Vendor
Hello!
So after a bit of research and meeting different vendors, the best soft-top I can create here for you guys will be for around $1450, for the frame and soft-top. I'm still trying to negotiate the costs, and hope to bring it down as much as I can. The idea isn't just to get an average quality one made and send it across to you guys. I am hopeful of building something of high quality which shall establish itself, based on word of mouth!
This is without the freight, of course, which should be around $700-900 for the top and frame. Keep the total cost around $2000-2300 for now. Maybe even cheaper if we do a group-buy! I'm up for a group buy, if that suits everyone. Or we can cluster the shipments based on who's closer to each other.
A friend who is into freight has suggested posting the soft-top as a fabric via Pakistan Post/USPS and sending the frames separately, assuming that this will save shipping costs. So we're trying to keep the shipping as safe and economical as we can.
I'd like to keep everything transparent, hence I'll be posting here in this thread. So for those who're interested, we can process this via Paypal with a pre-payment for the top. You can mention the colour options and fabric preferences you have. Someone mentioned a bikini top, and I've been told that can be done, since people here on the hot side of the world only get a soft-top for hunting purposes! ( I don't endorse hunting, btw)
My friend's stock BJ73 will be used as a model for the frames and the soft-top. This means that there shall be zero errors for any dimensions etc. I'll update everyone on the progress, as it goes.
From this thread, I can gather that the following are interested in soft-top+frames for their BJ73/74s:
@Bydge
@CRZR45
@jblueridge
@jetswim
@jfrench
@FJBen
I would appreciate if you could confirm
For more information, you can DM me or email me at:
vintagetokyodrift@gmail.com
So after a bit of research and meeting different vendors, the best soft-top I can create here for you guys will be for around $1450, for the frame and soft-top. I'm still trying to negotiate the costs, and hope to bring it down as much as I can. The idea isn't just to get an average quality one made and send it across to you guys. I am hopeful of building something of high quality which shall establish itself, based on word of mouth!
This is without the freight, of course, which should be around $700-900 for the top and frame. Keep the total cost around $2000-2300 for now. Maybe even cheaper if we do a group-buy! I'm up for a group buy, if that suits everyone. Or we can cluster the shipments based on who's closer to each other.
A friend who is into freight has suggested posting the soft-top as a fabric via Pakistan Post/USPS and sending the frames separately, assuming that this will save shipping costs. So we're trying to keep the shipping as safe and economical as we can.
I'd like to keep everything transparent, hence I'll be posting here in this thread. So for those who're interested, we can process this via Paypal with a pre-payment for the top. You can mention the colour options and fabric preferences you have. Someone mentioned a bikini top, and I've been told that can be done, since people here on the hot side of the world only get a soft-top for hunting purposes! ( I don't endorse hunting, btw)
My friend's stock BJ73 will be used as a model for the frames and the soft-top. This means that there shall be zero errors for any dimensions etc. I'll update everyone on the progress, as it goes.
From this thread, I can gather that the following are interested in soft-top+frames for their BJ73/74s:
@Bydge
@CRZR45
@jblueridge
@jetswim
@jfrench
@FJBen
I would appreciate if you could confirm
For more information, you can DM me or email me at:
vintagetokyodrift@gmail.com
jblueridge
SILVER Star
I am Out, but maybe if there is a Round Two later on...
JDMStanNTopSoft
Supporting Vendor
I hope there is
I think you all should consider if you are getting a soft top made to make sure it has the rear part also that replaces the rear windows on top of the doors, kinda like the ones that Huber used to make and the one I found a few years ago . I know most people do not have removable top frames but it still looks but ugly if you remove the softop and your rear windows are sticking up plus I am pretty sure when driving the wind drag and turbulence inside the cruiser are not gonna be pleasant.
Last edited:
JDMStanNTopSoft
Supporting Vendor
Thanks Joe. Been following your posts and greatly appreciate your input here
Do you have photos of the top (Huber) you were talking about?
Thanks!
Thanks Joe. Been following your posts and greatly appreciate your input here
Do you have photos of the top (Huber) you were talking about?
Thanks!
I just added them , this was 4 piece top . First there was a cover above the 2 front seats that could be folded up, next there was the top above the back with the rear window attached to it (I wish that was removable) and then there where the 2 sides that had a zipper to remove them . That top is now with c2dfj45 here on Mud. Great quality with the same cloth used by Porsche and Mercedes apparently.
Personally want a factory looking top using full rear doors as I have A/c so I can keep sun off heads and roll side windows up when weather is nice. If I remove the whole soft top I will put my 1/2 rear doors on so for me I am in for a OEM looking top utilizing full rear doors. My2c
I would like to keep my full size rear doors on as well. Rolling up the sides would be a great option too! What do you guys think would last longer? vinyl or canvas?
JDMStanNTopSoft
Supporting Vendor
What we're building is considered to be the best type of material, which is just like that of the OEM type tops. This is a triple layered vinyl/canvas coating with butyl rubber sandwiched between. (In the past, there were reports of other top's fabric tearing up. They were irreparable and a complete wastage). This triple layer is strong!
They’re like the German type canvas/vinyl that are fantastic but usually extremely expensive. This is a three piece top, where you can easily roll up or remove the sides
With this frame, you can also leave the sides on, and take off the top! We intend to use a slide track for the fabric to attach over the windshield. Also, we're aware that the threading/threads are prone to weaken over time, so we've sourced the best thread to make sure it lasts for a long time.
As for the frame, there will be no drilling required. The frame will be installed in the OEM and existing slots of the 73. We’ll most likely get an OEM 70 Series frame and modify it as per the 73. This frame will use stock attachment points, so there will be no drilling. For those with full rear doors, they'll be able to use their doors, with the top+frame built like the factory ones to seal around back doors. The craftsmen here are used to building frames for the 40 and 70 Series cruisers, so if anyone also wants a frame+soft-top for that, we can do that!
Attaching photos of a BJ70 frame and the premium top fabric.
From Tuesday, we’re going to build a soft-top + frame for a Mud member’s BJ73!
I guess My question before i buy is, what exactly will it look like once complete.
2nd question is what’s the lead time on order to shipping (assuming you have any idea at this time).
2nd question is what’s the lead time on order to shipping (assuming you have any idea at this time).
jblueridge
SILVER Star
will there be a half-door (no rear glass) option?
JDMStanNTopSoft
Supporting Vendor
They’ll look the same as the BJ70 tops I posted above. Reposting some of them here. They’ll be built on OEM mounts, so that they are an easy install, no drilling.
Timeline: We’re currently developing something that had to be designed first. A soft top frame for a BJ73. The top will only take two weeks to make. Once we have the soft top frame made, we can replicate it and lessen the entire process to two weeks + delivery time
JDMStanNTopSoft
Supporting Vendor
I hate to be "debbie downer" here, but I don't see how "no drilling" is going to work on the MWB cruisers that are originally FRP equipped. I am interested in seeing how this is going to work out.
The SWB 70 series are equipped for soft tops already, at least the ones being pictured in this thread are. Don't forget the front windshield frame too...FRP version doesn't have the channel.
Regardless...those soft tops are so nice. Love the way they look.
The SWB 70 series are equipped for soft tops already, at least the ones being pictured in this thread are. Don't forget the front windshield frame too...FRP version doesn't have the channel.
Regardless...those soft tops are so nice. Love the way they look.
