Soft top coming out tiger channel while driving

[Nolacajun75]

Can someone help me out. 1981 FJ43 with a soft top. Not Sure where the soft top came from or who made it as it came with a vehicle when I got it so not sure about that. There was an issue with the passionate side snap in the front top corner so I did get it replaced and fixed it snaps on perfectly. A little tighter than before but thought that I'll be a good thing. I guess it's not. Now the center of the soft top in the very front top way. It goes into the rail is coming out after driving a while. The wind is pouring it out. There any way to fix this? Does any body have? Any ideas on what I could do? It's all the way in but the wind's pushing it up and out. I appreciate it and thank you.

 

[charliemeyer007]

It sounds like the material is loose in the slot. 1) Make a mandrel so you can tap the slot close a uniform little bit. 2) Glue some material to the fabric that goes in the slot. I have a spool of like stuff but it is one inch wide https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-Textile-8315-01-463-5853-8315-00-255-7662-1-Pack/dp/B00L2MLCNO. I would use a good flexible glue to fix it on, then trim carefully and apply another layer of glue.

 

[Nolacajun75]

It sounds like the material is loose in the slot. 1) Make a mandrel so you can tap the slot close a uniform little bit. 2) Glue some material to the fabric that goes in the slot. I have a spool of like stuff but it is one inch wide https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-Textile-8315-01-463-5853-8315-00-255-7662-1-Pack/dp/B00L2MLCNO. I would use a good flexible glue to fix it on, then trim carefully and apply another layer of glue.

Thank you, what kind of glue do you recommend? I'll take pics of the white piece that goes in the rain up front soon as I get off work as well before I order anything. Am I trying to make it overall longer or just thicker where it goes in the rail using that fabric?

 

[charliemeyer007]

Something that stays flexible like rubber cement. Coat the old fabric tongue after your clean it, Coat the new fabric shim piece and carefully place it onto the old. Small binder clip in place every few inches and then let it dry good before you install. The goal is to increase the diameter of the fabric tongue that slides into the channel so it can't pull out threw the slot but you can still slide the fabric tongue into the slot I would paste wax the inside of the channel so the glue on your fabric doesn't bond to the channel.

 

[pb4ugo]

I'm curious, is the part that slides into the channel fabric or a strip of plastic sewn onto the leading edge of the top that slides into the channel?

 

[Nolacajun75]

Something that stays flexible like rubber cement. Coat the old fabric tongue after your clean it, Coat the new fabric shim piece and carefully place it onto the old. Small binder clip in place every few inches and then let it dry good before you install. The goal is to increase the diameter of the fabric tongue that slides into the channel so it can't pull out threw the slot but you can still slide the fabric tongue into the slot I would paste wax the inside of the channel so the glue on your fabric doesn't bond to the channel.

Understood thank you

 

[Nolacajun75]

I'm curious, is the part that slides into the channel fabric or a strip of plastic sewn onto the leading edge of the top that slides into the channel?

I believe both, I'll ch CK and report back

 

[charliemeyer007]

Good pic would help.

 

[igotta40]

No offense to those trying to help, but you could either use those suggestions or you could do it right. Take the windshield channel piece and the top to an upholstery shop and have them open the seams and sew in a new rib that fits better.

 

[Nolacajun75]

No offense to those trying to help, but you could either use those suggestions or you could do it right. Take the windshield channel piece and the top to an upholstery shop and have them open the seams and sew in a new rib that fits better.

Well that's a great idea. No offense taken. Thank you. I will contact my upholstery guy

 

[Nolacajun75]

Well that's a great idea. No offense taken. Thank you. I will contact my upholstery guy

But I'm pretty sure I'm not able to take the windshield rail piece off. I'm pretty sure the truck has to go also. I'll go look though and post some pictures as well

 

[CRZR45]

If it has the bead sewn in then just tap the rail opening closed a little more to pinch better. Had same issue. 5 min free fix I did 8 years ago and still perfect

 

[beran earms]

If it has the bead sewn in then just tap the rail opening closed a little more to pinch better. Had same issue. 5 min free fix I did 8 years ago and still perfect

THIS!

 

[Nolacajun75]

If it has the bead sewn in then just tap the rail opening closed a little more to pinch better. Had same issue. 5 min free fix I did 8 years ago and still perfect

Sounds good brother. I'll try that first.

 

[Nolacajun75]

I took a soft top out and reinstalled it best I co

uld and took pictures. Hope this helps. I will try to tap The channel slightly and maybe a gripping may help but in some spots it's not going in correctly. Well not 100%.

 

[Nolacajun75]

Where the yellow towel is at is the spot where it is coming up while I'm driving. No other spot is giving me issues, ever.

 

[Nolacajun75]

 

[Nolacajun75]

That's everything y'all. I'll wait and see what y'all think before I start tapping dat. I got to head back to work. Going to throw things out the back of the C-130. Again, fun fun!.

 

[charliemeyer007]

That top looks like its been down the road some, looking at the repairs. The channel looks "used" too. I vote you just tighten the channel where it comes loose.

 

[Nolacajun75]

That top looks like its been down the road some, looking at the repairs. The channel looks "used" too. I vote you just tighten the channel where it comes loose.

Roger that. Thanks brother , I plan to take it to my upholstery shop to have them look at it first and then I'm going to try to tap it down a little bit. See if that'll hold it but I want to have him look at it before I touch anything.