TROA soft top: nice fit? Happy with the product? OEM Bows. (3 Viewers)

[Living in the Past]

Any thoughts on what the flap is for?
View attachment 3917021

I was wondering the same thing. Looks like should wrap around the horizontal bow?


If you have factory bows for a US model the soft doors should fit better along the B pillar. Big advantage of the factory soft doors is how easy there are to remove. I use to tow my 68 camping. Doors and sides/back rolled was like having a full bikini top. Nice in AZ where even in northern part of the state the sun it brutal.

 

[JohnnyC]

@NicksFJ40

thats what we were talking about the last few posts.... troa wants you to drill the bow and add snaps to hold that flap on.... however.... its not needed IMHO

go back a few posts

 

[Camotubebender]

If you like to drive with the back windows rolled up that back flap helps retain the top

 

[boysrus]

The hits keep on coming, I received my Customs bill today. Just an FYI if you order a top.
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I just received mine also - although twice that amount as I ordered the top and frame kit. 37.5% on $2,300. Any way to fight that??? Dang!!

 

[Living in the Past]

Door header does not appeared to be seated all the down on the B pillar.

The top looks like hangs down to low for the straps to tighten enough on the footman loops to keep the top tight.

Will the early hard door close with eyebolts installed? Did you add them or with the threaded holes already there? To my knowledge all FST in the US market had a tailgate not barn doors. When I bought my 73 it had 72 side door and hard top. The eyebolts were removed. Only reason I could think to remove them is to run hard doors. Been many years but think I installed a eyebolt and the door wouldn't close with it there.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

@NicksFJ40

The mods made to my top were due to the differences in an OE vice Aqualu tub/windshield. This brace (pictured) was added to the B pillar bow IOT give the bow rigidity and height (pre paint/install).

You bought the top only (-) the frame/bow kit? Just curious how the measurements on your frame/bow kit compare to “other” kits. IMHO it seems as if your bows are “off”.

The 1st “tell” is the overhang on the rear. @Living in the Past pointed it out. Inch / inch 1/2 could make all the difference in the world (insert playground humor here).

Admittedly, it’s not the best fit I’ve seen. But, I think there may be ways to mitigate some of the play in the top and give you a better fit.

 

[cims1970fj40]

Door header does not appeared to be seated all the down on the B pillar.
View attachment 3917382
The top looks like hangs down to low for the straps to tighten enough on the footman loops to keep the top tight.
View attachment 3917381
Will the early hard door close with eyebolts installed? Did you add them or with the threaded holes already there? To my knowledge all FST in the US market had a tailgate not barn doors. When I bought my 73 it had 72 side door and hard top. The eyebolts were removed. Only reason I could think to remove them is to run hard doors. Been many years but think I installed an eyebolt and the door wouldn't close with it there.

The back of mine doesn’t hang that low. It actually lines up fairly well. If anything it’s on the short side but believe it sits where it should be.

 

[cims1970fj40]

I also wonder if his channel across his windshield frame is causing some of the slack on the backside.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I also wonder if his channel across his windshield frame is causing some of the slack on the backside.

Could be off center, It doesn’t look centered. Just looking at the pic of the rear, it seems to be off ever so slightly (3/4-1”. Could explain why its not all the way down on the B pillar.

Additional pics would help IE windshield channel, B pillar bow Inside, twist locks etc etc.

 

[cims1970fj40]

I was looking at a picture of my windshield channel area it is close to what his looks like.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

@cims1970fj40 BTW..Great color combo on your TLC.


Something’s just not quite right right. The height? If the B and C pillar bows could be could/should be raised??


Good info here. For measurements.

DIY OEM soft top bows

I used to have a web site about making the OEM soft top front bow from OEM hard top sides, but my ISP took it down and I don't remember where I put the back up for the html code. I didn't think that there was any interest in doing this anymore because of commercially available reproduction bow...

forum.ih8mud.com

I was looking at a picture of my windshield channel area it is close to what his looks like.

View attachment 3917462

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[Chungas Revenge]

Just saying…

Bows should all be the same height. I wouldnt do anything with the footman loops until you put the top on. The tie downs will dictate where the footman loops will go. I have had a least 5 factory softtops over the years, and none of the oem replica tops lined up with the factory footman loops.( they were close but not exact)

Eggzackery!

 

[cims1970fj40]

@cims1970fj40 BTW..Great color combo on your TLC.


Something’s just not quite right right. The height? If the B and C pillar bows could be could/should be raised??


Good info here. For measurements.

DIY OEM soft top bows

I used to have a web site about making the OEM soft top front bow from OEM hard top sides, but my ISP took it down and I don't remember where I put the back up for the html code. I didn't think that there was any interest in doing this anymore because of commercially available reproduction bow...

forum.ih8mud.com

Thanks brother

 

[Living in the Past]

This looks like it should have flaps on either side of the bow. That would move the top forward. That would help the overhang in the back.

The fitment on the front looks bad.
While not idea the Kayline top required drilling a hole on each side of the windshield frame for a snap. It pulls the corner down and in for a tight fit.

 

[NicksFJ40]

Yikes! I should not have been away from Mud so long.

JohnnyC: I “now” understand that TROA wants me to drill into the bow, I’ll check my parts pack to see if there are snaps to match the flap.

Living In The Past: Ill Check the door pillar/B pillar to see if it’s properly installed. This is a factory hard top 40. I have to remove the bolts when the hard doors are on. There was a blank/spot on the dash where to drill for the eye bolt nut. Drove it around today, rear straps worked great. I did not roll up the rear since I do not have the corner footman loops on. The pics you posted of my post where the snaps were not attached. The top was not attached at all, it was just laying on the rig

Chungas Revenge: B pillar is OEM, the other pillars are Real Steel. I only ordered the top from TROA. I’ll check out the link you posted. Is that flat bar to assist in holding the bow to the B pillar.

Thank you all for all the input. It’s all helpful, I’ll have to check everything out.