U.S soft top possibility version 2 east coast

[JohnnyC]

Great photos!!!!! any photos available w/ exposed frame work? Are the bows welded to the frame?

would also love feedback on what you guys think about the best confiuration of windows ie # of them on the sides and back

Keep the ideas comming

all the bows have minor adjustment to them ...the bows come in 7 pieces and the windshield channell make a total of 8 pieces.

nothing welded to the truck...you can pull the whole thing (Bow work) off the truck

see pics:

 

[JohnnyC]

Type A and Type B bows....mine in the pic above is Type A .....Type B is for ambi doors in the rear....a non-usa type...but there are some type B's around imported....most people are concerned with type A...and is the easyer of the two to construct (canvas)

 

[JohnnyC]

Type B rear doors ambi doors with a metal frame canvas cover....removable canvas top part...barn type doors lower.

 

[JohnnyC]

rear doors for Type A:

pic left... OEM Tailgate usually 6 - 4 footman loops to hold canvas

pic right... OEM Barn Doors 6-4 footman loops ... 2-3 per door

 

[JohnnyC]

with 6 footman loops...factory photo

 

[JohnnyC]

tailgate with 4 footman loops....also note a 5 window

 

[highlandcruzer]

would also love feedback on what you guys think about the best confiuration of windows ie # of them on the sides and back

Keep the ideas coming ! This thread will be used as reference!




* If all goes well with this project * I might post a poll , to see what is most popular........just to feel this out.

I'm a little partial to the 7 window myself.........

............Heck !......... I'd be happy with any OEM configuration !! They all look nice !

 

[highlandcruzer]

Shameless bump for the Sunday crowd


I know that there are quite a few 'Mud members that don't "check in" as often as some of us..............so ...here's where we stand..

It looks like the fella's fromOlde North State Cruisers are going to be working with us hands on.....
.They're willing to provide a loaner 40 for us to work with as well as a set of original Toyota bows......


We've had some guy's far and near willing to loan an Eshan top to use as a pattern to reverse engineer........


In reality...this would be perfectly fine to make a good looking top....
Travis can make one from scratch ,using the frame alone and pictures/measurements.....

In the interest of authenticity .... [ I lean towards being a purist , if I can help it ],.... we would still like to start with all Toyota parts , and not produce a copy of a copy.[improvements can be made from there]

Although there has been an offer.....As I type.....A Toyota fabric for us , is not set in stone/finalised, sooo.....


Keep in touch !!! ...

I Don't mean to sound impatient.....This hasn't been going for long.[I know some of you" have a life".] ..I lurk a lot!...................

Travis is very excited to get started on this.....

Regardless of whether the frame he produces suits most of us [been debated]..................

I feel it's safe to say....At least , a portion of our community will have another option for custom made tops! Softtopguy is more than willing !

There might be someone nearby.......[ again I don't want to put anybody out with shipping if we can help it......might need to ship though ],......... that hasn't seen this thread yet


So spread the word if you have any interest in this project !

 

[foxfab]

As soon as my FJ25 returns from its soft top construction and I work on getting those bows reproduced, I may tackle the larger FJ40 market for bows. But I gotta keep the bezel-less Cruiser community happy first...

 

[highlandcruzer]

As soon as my FJ25 returns from its soft top construction and I work on getting those bows reproduced, I may tackle the larger FJ40 market for bows. But I gotta keep the bezel-less Cruiser community happy first...

Thats great man , good luck ! We just need 'em !

I guess we're doing the opposite......40's first ....then the 25's , 45's etc.

 

[82cruiser]

Looks great Johnny, nice work.

 

[MDH33]

Here's a link with some good reference photos of Ehsan's earlier vinyl tops and bows:

Soft Top and Bows photos

 

[highlandcruzer]

Thanks MDH33 !!

 

[JohnnyC]

footman loops:
light blue is actually from an fj25(cruiser_nerds?)

footman loops on the rear doors/tailgate are a bit lower than the footman loops on the tub...without checking...AFAIK 3/4" lower

 

[JB740i]

Not trying to rain on anyones parade but doesn't reverse engineering someone elses top strike anyone else as a little off?

Not saying I wouldn't want one but would this be a different conversation if Ehsan was in the US? Or if it was a SOR top (okay maybe no one would mind that one)?

Feel free to ignore if I'm the only one.

 

[MDH33]

Not trying to rain on anyones parade but doesn't reverse engineering someone elses top strike anyone else as a little off?

Not saying I wouldn't want one but would this be a different conversation if Ehsan was in the US? Or if it was a SOR top (okay maybe no one would mind that one)?

Feel free to ignore if I'm the only one.

I think it's a valid point. But really, Ehsan's top is a replica of an OEM Toyota top that is no longer in production. Also, the guys trying to make a top here cannot obtain an OEM top to use a guide for reproduction. Ehsan's is the closest thing, which speaks highly of his product, and his top will be impossible to replicate from a cost/quality standpoint, IMHO.

 

[highlandcruzer]

Not trying to rain on anyones parade but doesn't reverse engineering someone elses top strike anyone else as a little off?

I'm sorry , but you have missed something , along the way in this thread.

We are by no means trying to copy Ehsans top.

Just the opposite.

We've turned down offers for Ehsans top, to copy !!

We don't want a "copy" no matter what the quality.

We have an original Toyota OEM top " on the way" to us . !

I don't think Toyota will mind.

 

[JohnnyC]

reproduction parts ...are all copies...its not "a little off" if the parts are no longer available...they are a reproduction...just like Ehsan has a reproduction of oem tops and body tubs and quarter panels and stamped bezels...and so on

as for "impossible to replicate from a cost/quality standpoint" yes cost is imposible...but quality is very possible if not even better than possible...look at my reproduction top...the best quality I have seen

As far as Ehsans copy of oem tops...they are really good tops...he does GREAT Work....as i have stated many times over in previous posts...and i have alot of respect toward Ehsan...but they are not an authentic reproduction of an oem top...i think highland is going for more of the authentic reproduction...rather than mass production...this is the case with most MV (military Vehicle) reproduction companies...look at beachwood...they are quite a bit price on most every canvas thing they have ....but...they are authentic as possible.

IMO

 

[highlandcruzer]

Not trying to rain on anyones parade but doesn't reverse engineering someone elses top strike anyone else as a little off?

Replace the word "top" with "Jeep".........


and you get ...................



LANDCRUISER !.........I think that turned out pretty well.


It is what Toyota did after all.......in the begining..... "The Toyota
Jeep"

Jeep just made 'em change the name

[sorry, I had to say it .....back on topic now.]

 

[JB740i]

All responses make sense to me.

Okay, back to originally scheduled programming.