Soft Tops/Bows and Soft Doors F/R
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Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I would also be interested in how many top were canvas compared to vinyl? The FJ40 is a interesting collector vehicle. I call it the poor man's collector. It is also a vehicle most don't seem to care about the little details that make it original. By 65 Toyota had switched to vinyl. It was also offering to their dealers a option of a American made top in vinyl. I guessing because it was a better material as far as water proof. If I didn't have three old Kayline tops I would probably be that odd one who wanted a white vinyl top.
I do believe there is a market here for a soft top using ambulance doors. Offering it to work with the barns doors we have here I think would keep the price down and increase sales. Even offer just a replacement top/top of the soft ambulance doors/three bows needed in the back to use ambulance door/and enough material to cover the front doors. I think this was one thing the paki tops missed out on. Every FJ40 sold before 1/75 in the US had the spare tire on the passenger's side. Paki rear doors was set up for driver's side spare tire carrier. I guess we can thank Toyota for that. LHD vehicles had spare on the ride side. RHD vehicle it was on the left. Once the switch to hard ambulance door here it finally switched to the left side. I don't believe the soft top ambulance door were ever offered in a LHD market. But like nobody wanting a white top, the fact that this soft top setup was never offered here wouldn't hurt sale but probably increase sales.
Living in the Past said:
The canvas tops were always more in demand than the vinyl. I would say that I sold 15 vinyl tops total.
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- #24
Again thank you for the information and interest. I'm still waiting to hear back for the rest of the information and pricing. I have seen the vinyl tops and they are great quality and a good material. I have yet to see a canvas top yet though and am still trying to get details on the product used and some close ups of the material.
I agree most I see seem to be a canvas. I like the material better myself but the vinyl has advantages as well and really doesn't look like the older vinyl.
I agree most I see seem to be a canvas. I like the material better myself but the vinyl has advantages as well and really doesn't look like the older vinyl.
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So how long till FST front doors?
Living in the Past
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That really doesn't surprise me. First picture shows what most seem to thing of when you say soft top. Not the early style but the material used. Second is from a picture JohnnyC posted. Looks to be late sixties. Besides being vinyl it is also the ambulance doors set for a LHD.
Market unknow. LHD but we only got the standard style here in the US. Plus no FJ43s were imported here. Text is in english 
Last picture is from 66 and you can tell the top is white vinyl. Import numbers were low in the early sixties so not many canvas tops made it here. Most were vinyl. But I do agree with Alex in the market seem to be in canvas not vinyl. Correct or not that's the way it is.
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- #28
Sorry everyone. I have not been able to get ahold of the supplier down in Colombia as he has been out of town on business. I'm expecting to hear from him any day now and as soon as I do we can post the prices and options and we will start getting these made ASAP.
Any update?
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- #30
I talked to him last night and he said he was catching up on some things including a household move. I hate to keep saying soon but hopefully early next week he will get me the final prices.
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fst doors please! 
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- #33
Last minute I got pegged to support an NTC rotation out in California. I will be gone until the first of April.
You can shoot me an e-mail and I will get back to you upon my return. Should have some soft tops in production and prices nailed down at that point.
Sorry for the delay. I hope to have some stored in the states soon.
You can shoot me an e-mail and I will get back to you upon my return. Should have some soft tops in production and prices nailed down at that point.
Sorry for the delay. I hope to have some stored in the states soon.
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- #34
Just got back from NTC and will start working on this again. Sadly I lieaev for another month in May so not a lot of time. Also working on a custom order option with some being built in the US. Will let you all know more in a few weeks.
Jason
Jason
any news?
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- #36
Yes there is. Trying to figure out a timeline for a small shipment and some answers on final pricing. Sorry for the delay in answering. Once my FJ43 is gone I'm able to fund the first purchase. My first trial top arrived but it looks like I will have sold the extra FJ43 prior to getting a chance to try it on. I will try to get a ton of good pictures of it laid out though.
If you want a top only PM though. Looking at doing some U.S. made Canvas tops as well that would be 100% custom an immediate order instead of waiting and getting what is the most popular and in stock. The first trial top is made we are just trying to find someone local on the Oregon Coast to try it out for us so we can make small changes to make them better. It is based on the Paki top design with a few of the weaker areas already updated. Anyone want a at cost top to drive to the coast and try it out? The Oregon Dunes are only 10 minutes away and a great excuse to go out and enjoy them and the beach on a weekend. Must have OEM bows already.
If you want a top only PM though. Looking at doing some U.S. made Canvas tops as well that would be 100% custom an immediate order instead of waiting and getting what is the most popular and in stock. The first trial top is made we are just trying to find someone local on the Oregon Coast to try it out for us so we can make small changes to make them better. It is based on the Paki top design with a few of the weaker areas already updated. Anyone want a at cost top to drive to the coast and try it out? The Oregon Dunes are only 10 minutes away and a great excuse to go out and enjoy them and the beach on a weekend. Must have OEM bows already.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
You might try PMing destin. He is in Oregon (Portland area) and has a restored 64 with a Paki top. Not sure if he is looking for a better one. He is taking his 64 on road trips and has been to the coast a time or two.
Early top are smaller I believe
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
63 and earlier have the different door opening and smaller top. Destin's 64 is the same as later tops. The only issue is if it angles in a little in the B pillar or not. Have never truely resolved if that is a issue or not. In the Paki thread it was mentioned it was suppose to change around 74 but my 68 was angled and my 65 FJ45 had the angle in the top.
I'd be very interested in front soft doors that keepthe rain out and can be zipped to open top half some how if possible. seems like there is a lot of interest on these.
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