U.S soft top possibility version 2 east coast

[Roberto]

Just now trying to put on this S American made softtop on my Eshan Poles. Would have been great if Eshan did nt send me 2 left side over the door pieces???? Thats gonna put a hold on things.

R

 

[Living in the Past]

Thought I still had a picture.....

Is the front track you have bolted to the windshield or welded? The reason I asked is I just picked up a set of 67 bows and the channel piece looks the the earlier welded type that comes straight out the windshield but yours looks the rised type like the later bolt ones I have. Just curious if your is the rised later type that bolts on since yours is a 65.

 

[craigwanderer]

If that top is canvas, isn't it supposed to shrink a little? Most canvas tops are supposed to be wet down and as they dry, they shrink a little which tightens up the fit. This MAY explain the dodgy fit.

How do I know? I'm in the process of putting together patterns and sourcing materials for my own repro OEM top.

 

[Roberto]

This is a vinyl top, mine cruiser is a 1983 BJ42 and the windshield piece is straight.

I have figured out the piece now and how it must be installed, thanks fellas.

R

 

[ocdbeetle]

Is the front track you have bolted to the windshield or welded? The reason I asked is I just picked up a set of 67 bows and the channel piece looks the the earlier welded type that comes straight out the windshield but yours looks the rised type like the later bolt ones I have. Just curious if your is the rised later type that bolts on since yours is a 65.

It is a bolt on type....

Craigwanderer - It isnt Canvas...Its Seamark....Sunbrella with a Vinyl backing.....Dimensionally stable....No shrinkage....Really nice material, just not for a top IMO.....

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Just now trying to put on this S American made softtop on my Eshan Poles. Would have been great if Eshan did nt send me 2 left side over the door pieces???? Thats gonna put a hold on things.

R

I can help you. PM me.

 

[82cruiser]

Flapping

I have a top from Scott and Travis and am very happy with the quality and fit. Like most tops I’ve had on the truck over the years, it flaps. The only tops I have used that did not flap were an old oem double thick heavy canvas top from an early 40 and an Ehsan double thick vinyl top. The heavy materials and tight fit kept them from flapping even at highway speeds. I have tried to get different top makers to source a canvas heavier than 21oz, but it is either too tough to come by or too pricey.
The only way I have been able to reduce/eliminate flapping has been to install the soft side of Velcro all along the top of the soft top bows. This provides a soft surface for the material to rest on and greatly reduces or eliminates flapping. The only downside is the Velcro looks lame with the top off.

 

[fireflyr]

OK...No laughing....unless you want to laugh at the top.....I have an OEM windshield channel.....That would have been funny though I suppose.....

It had about 1 1/2 of extra material flapping in front of the channel after the top was threaded into it....Really weird.....

I tried fitting and adjusting every way possible.......It werent pretty......

I was thinking about the reply that said to use velcro to stop the flapping... If you have a baggy top, what about putting pipe insulation over your soft top frame to take up the slack. I know it isn't a substitute for a tight top, but it would get it on the road. My Ehsan canvas top is so tight that if the temp is too cold I can't even stretch it over the frame. I have to let it sit in the sun for a while to warm up. If I leave the rear open I have the same problem. I would imagine there isn't much expansion with the Sunbrella fabric, so tolerances would have to be almost exact. With the variations in dimensions of the different soft top frames it might be easier to build the top with a material that isn't so inflexible. My .02.

 

[73fj40lc]

If that really is the problem I'm gonna have to laugh... I am very interested in the possibilities here and am eager to see a proper fitment... I truly hope it's just installer "error"...

Unless you were there and had your hands on the top you don't know what you are talking about other than taking stabs in the dark on why it didn't fit. Jim and I aren't rookie 40 owners. I don't claim to be an expert but I do know when something doesn't fit and you can't make it fit. You wouldn't laugh with that front flapping and two metal grommets beating the hell out of custom paint job. I spoke my comments in a constructive way to help not to beat up on anyone. If you have a POS 40 I am sure that you would laugh. If you had Jim's 40 I know that you wouldn't laugh. His 40 is a beautiful resto with a paint job that most new cars would kill for.

 

[apeterson]

beating the hell out of custom paint job..

just looks white to me... didnt know that was a custom.

but seriously I dont have my bows on yet but I think my windshield has a place right there were a twist thing could go? maybe they changed the tops from the earlier ones and he is making or has a pattern for an newer one.. mine is a 74 and pretty sure it has original windshield on it.

 

[woytovich]

You wouldn't laugh

I meant that I would laugh if that was the reason it was flapping... that a simple thing had gotten overlooked that would solve a seemingly large problem. Like finding a blown fuse is why your truck won't start instead of assuming you need to rebuild the engine. I did not mean I would laugh at anyone for it...

 

[JohnnyC]

Is the front track you have bolted to the windshield or welded? The reason I asked is I just picked up a set of 67 bows and the channel piece looks the the earlier welded type that comes straight out the windshield but yours looks the rised type like the later bolt ones I have. Just curious if your is the rised later type that bolts on since yours is a 65.

here is a pic of mine...oem windshield channel...it does have a bend on top...but 'box' area also goes down infront of the windshield frame.

I had noticed that Ehsans channel goes with the 'box' area ontop of the windshield frame

 

[Mr. Toad]

. . . You wouldn't laugh with that front flapping and two metal grommets beating the hell out of custom paint job. . . .

The grommet is supposed to be secured with a twist-lock.

 

[ocdbeetle]

Or snap instead of grommet....but even if it attached via twist or snap that extra material needed to be sewn down....If sewing it down wouldve saved the top from being janky That would be fine, but there was too much else going on with it (IMO) to mess with.....So....we can take it apart yet again from the pics or just leave it alone.....I've had my fill.......

 

[apeterson]

but there was too much else going on with it (IMO) to mess with.....So....we can take it apart yet again from the pics or just leave it alone.....I've had my fill.......

I think you should.... based on everything you said so far I am not sure you have pled your case very well. please provide more pics and details of all the problems you have had. if I was travis I would want to know... I mean I dont feel you are being a dick in anyway... so please state problems you had and maybe they can be resolved.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Or snap instead of grommet.

On the picture from the previous page, it looks like the snap on the front of your windshield frame is painted. Is it, or is does it just look that way in the photo?

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Or snap instead of grommet....but even if it attached via twist or snap that extra material needed to be sewn down....If sewing it down wouldve saved the top from being janky That would be fine, but there was too much else going on with it (IMO) to mess with.....So....we can take it apart yet again from the pics or just leave it alone.....I've had my fill.......

Tell us what happened when you told Travis about the issues you were having? Did he offer to take it back?

 

[Living in the Past]

here is a pic of mine...oem windshield channel...it does have a bend on top...but 'box' area also goes down infront of the windshield frame.

I had noticed that Ehsans channel goes with the 'box' area ontop of the windshield frame

First picture is of a 62 soft top channel. Welded on channel. Sorry best picture I could get. It is stored away with the tub.

Second channels are the standard channel I'm use to seeing

Third is the channel that came with the 67 bows. This a bolt on channel but shaped like the weld on type

all three are OEM as far as I know.

Anybody else seen one like the one in picture three? Ocdbeetle 65 soft top's channel is like the second picture I posted

 

[JohnnyC]

you've got alot of bows

thanks for posting the differences....as usuall you learn something new every day in mud

 

[73fj40lc]

I think you should.... based on everything you said so far I am not sure you have pled your case very well. please provide more pics and details of all the problems you have had. if I was travis I would want to know... I mean I dont feel you are being a dick in anyway... so please state problems you had and maybe they can be resolved.

Pled our case? What the heck are you talking about. There is no case to pled as you say. We don't have to prove anything to you or anybody else. Constructive comments were made on observations by two experienced 40 owners as feedback. From what I have read on this thread Travis is working to refine the materal and fit his tops. Without feedback he wouldn't know about these problems or any others. I have stated that several times in my comments. You can think anything you want I could care less. I am done with this thread. To Travis I hope you get everything worked out. My intentions were not as some have taken them. Good luck on the tops.