Soft top kit for 45 pickup (1 Viewer)

[Waggoner5]

I am working on a new soft top for my 45. It will have a 1 piece bow system that should come on and off in about 5 mins. The top will be typical soft top vinyl and also be 1 piece. It will mount over the bows and should also take about 5 mins to put on. I am using a set of STC doors for my truck, but a set of Bestop doors will work with my setup. It will not have fancy door seals at this point, but the doors will fit up against the top frame goos enough to keep most of the moisture out. Once I get it done, I may work on a good seal system for the doors. It will not be a fold down top. The bow system will remove and the material can be left installed if you wish. The bows can be left on and will have the appearance of a roll cage and may actually provide SOME safety, but it is not going to be designed as such.
I bought a PAKI top and after powder coating everything and futzing for 2 hours trying to get it all on and look good, I decided that this was most definitely NOT what I was looking for. The quality was good and was exactly like factory, but I want a top that can be put up or down in minutes and still have a Landcruiser look.
My question is....It appears that this will be pretty easy to make and I wanted to see what kind of interest there would be if I made them for the public. I have not gotten the quote back yet for the material and sewing so I don't have prices yet, but I can't imagine it costing any more than any Bestop or STC top.
What do ya'll think? In any case I will be posting pictures as I make progress. Oh yea, a bikini top will work with this system also, and will be done before the top.

 

[67azcruizr]

sounds like an "ideal" set-up, but I gotta go with the looks of the one Ehsan's putting out currently.

my thoughts would be to get a custom "trail top" made that could be popped on & off in a hurry.

just my 2 cents.

would be curious to see your finished product though, good luck

 

[Waggoner5]

sounds like an "ideal" set-up, but I gotta go with the looks of the one Ehsan's putting out currently.

my thoughts would be to get a custom "trail top" made that could be popped on & off in a hurry.

just my 2 cents.

would be curious to see your finished product though, good luck

My top is going to be a "trail top" more or less. Not as elaborate as Eshans, but you can take it off in less than 3 days.

 

[whitey45]

Gary, I actually have an old kayline half cab soft top that was made for fj40's,but I built some bows and made it work on my 45.I have been tooling with ideas for years trying to come up with a clean design that keeps the elements out ,but can be removed in minutes.I am very interested in seeing your ideas and design.I think the door sealing is the biggest issue, and I like the top to be tight and snug.so it does'nt sound like a sail boat down the highway!

Brian

 

[Waggoner5]

Having the top super tight is one of my priorities also. I may look into a clean door seal and drip rail also.

 

[calstyl2]

Have you looked at TLC's soft top? He makes a really nice custom top too

 

[madams557]

Gary, I'm interested. I like with Ehsan's product, but something less expensive and local is definitely a plus. I'd like to see what you come up with.

I gather that whatever set up you design, it will be capatable with an installed factory headache rack.

Oh yeah, I have a 78 FJ45, so it comes with the shoulder belt anchored to the hardtop. If possible, some way to add a fixed mount to the bow system would be an incredible advantage.

I can send pictures if an illustration of what I'm describing is needed.

Michael

 

[rockcod]

Gary,

Count me in for 1, too. I really like the idea of a local vendor and quick turn-around time. Keep us posted.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

After i see what comes from Eshan i will see.

Please keep me in mind though for one.

 

[jm599]

has anyone ever tried a bikini top going from the windshield to the headache rack?

I started to do this but decided the hard top provided more rollover protection than the flimsy rack.


then started thinking of a more substantial headache rack made of heavy duty steel.... idea didn't get very far though.

weather like we are having right now makes me want to at least pop the doors off

 

[Waggoner5]

I really like the Paki top once it is on. What I didn't like is having to pull the bed to drill holes for footman loops, 2 guys wrestle for at least an hour to get the top on and having to do this everytime I wanted to go topless. I will be building the bows out of 1.250 DOM tubing so it will offer some roll over protection. I just want a decent looking soft top that can be off in minutes and provide some level of weather protection. The bikini will fasten from the windshield to the rear of the bow and could go over the rack if the bow was not installed. I will keep posting as i make headway.

 

[madams557]

I will be building the bows out of 1.250 DOM tubing so it will offer some roll over protection.

So it could be quite possible to add some mechanism to attach the upper seat belt bracket - I'm intrigued.

 

[Landpimp]

yup, works perfect

has anyone ever tried a bikini top going from the windshield to the headache rack?

I started to do this but decided the hard top provided more rollover protection than the flimsy rack.


then started thinking of a more substantial headache rack made of heavy duty steel.... idea didn't get very far though.

weather like we are having right now makes me want to at least pop the doors off

 

[kellyo]

I am interested as well.

 

[D'Animal]

Will you be making these for the extended cab versions as well? What would the difference be? The lenght of the fabric?

 

[Waggoner5]

I guess it would depend on where you lengthened the cab, but I don't think it would be that big of a deal.

 

[D'Animal]

I guess it would depend on where you lengthened the cab, but I don't think it would be that big of a deal.

Let me know where I should take the measurements from.

 

[65swb45]

As someone who daily drives his 45, I am VERY interested.

 

[nuclearlemon]

gary, i have some crude drawings from a halfcab softtop/bikini that i had planned for my first fj40 some 20 years ago...pm my your email and i'll send you the pic. it may help stir some creative juices

 

[Waggoner5]

gary@powerplayracing.net