That's the key issue I think. I mentioned this is in the other thread about USA made tops. The tubular bow parts don't seem too difficult, but those door frame parts aren't simple.
U.S soft top possibility version 2 east coast
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That's the key issue I think. I mentioned this is in the other thread about USA made tops. The tubular bow parts don't seem too difficult, but those door frame parts aren't simple.
You're right about that. They are stamped out by a big press. You could use old hard top sides, but you'd run out pretty quickly. Anyone know what Ehsan uses? I doubt he has the machinery to stamp them.
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- #63
No offence taken...
I too , am a business owner. I would not recomend this to my bro if I thought it would be a waste of time.
I have put a lot of thought and research into this over the last year to year and a half. It isn't just a" whim".
But we certainly entertain any constructive criticisim.
Again....We have made only one promise.....
Nobody is claiming that everyone on mud will be able to buy/afford one.
We would like to try. Call it......." Wright brothers soft tops"
I too , am a business owner. I would not recomend this to my bro if I thought it would be a waste of time.
I have put a lot of thought and research into this over the last year to year and a half. It isn't just a" whim".
But we certainly entertain any constructive criticisim.
Again....We have made only one promise.....
Nobody is claiming that everyone on mud will be able to buy/afford one.
We would like to try. Call it......." Wright brothers soft tops"
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- #64
A very well equipped , well stocked , steel and aluminum, metal fab/welding shop....with a full time metal fab/welder that enjoys a challenge.....and is used to repetitive , fast production kind of work.
Very talented guy.
I don't expect to have a restoration/museum quality frame initially.
But I think a good quality frame that allows use of the OEM fabric design can be achieved .
If all works out, and it is worthwhile it can evolve from there.
No plans to make body panels or anything.......but I think the framework is right up their alley......
Again , maybe not , we'll see.....Travis has seen the same Ehsan pictures , and frame pictures etc. as everyone else...and isn't intimidated.
Go for it!! I hope he gets rolling so when I am ready for my top I'll have a place to get it without jumping thru a lot of hoops!
I don't know the ins and outs of the different tops but a copy of a factory top has got to be a better idea that a copy of a copy?
I like the talk of a custom top - have to start collecting pictures, I want a LWB Pickup top, no windows.......... lots of canvas, better start saving pennies.
kayline/stc borrowed my setup to look at repro's and said there's not way they could get the pieces above and behind the door repro'd at an affordable price. that will definitely be the expesive part.
the top section is like a stock hardtop, in two pieces, makes it a little easier, but still not that easy.
too bad you're not in colorado...you could borrow my top for quite a while, all the windows are toast, so until i can afford to get em fixed, it's in the garage
the top section is like a stock hardtop, in two pieces, makes it a little easier, but still not that easy.
too bad you're not in colorado...you could borrow my top for quite a while, all the windows are toast, so until i can afford to get em fixed, it's in the garage
Coolerman
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I say go for it. Competition is a good thing, it breeds innovation.
As a small business owner myself, I understand startup of a new venture can be expensive. While it does take some money to make money, using a resource like MUD to help defray startup cost is a wise decision.
Even if one quality top on average a week can be made, for the same amount others charge, that's 52 tops a year in the hands of folks that need them. If demand ramps up, then he can add additional resources.
Another vote for the zip out windows and all stainless hardware.
Another idea for you:
1. How about a zip on 'awning' to extend the top out to one side or the other or both? Would zip on at the top and come with poles to support the other end. Would be great for instant shade to eat lunch, work on something out of the sun or to sleep under. ( I'll take 10% of all the profits for this idea!
)
2. Storage bag for the whole top, and a smaller bag just for the zipped out windows or awning, would be cool options.
BTW, does your brother-in-law ever work with Aqualon fabric? My pop-up camper uses that material for the tenting. It's very flexible, and it's tough stuff. Totally water proof, available in many colors, easy to patch blah blah blah...
I'll be in the market for a top in about a year so I'll monitor this!
As a small business owner myself, I understand startup of a new venture can be expensive. While it does take some money to make money, using a resource like MUD to help defray startup cost is a wise decision.
Even if one quality top on average a week can be made, for the same amount others charge, that's 52 tops a year in the hands of folks that need them. If demand ramps up, then he can add additional resources.
Another vote for the zip out windows and all stainless hardware.
Another idea for you:
1. How about a zip on 'awning' to extend the top out to one side or the other or both? Would zip on at the top and come with poles to support the other end. Would be great for instant shade to eat lunch, work on something out of the sun or to sleep under. ( I'll take 10% of all the profits for this idea!
)2. Storage bag for the whole top, and a smaller bag just for the zipped out windows or awning, would be cool options.
BTW, does your brother-in-law ever work with Aqualon fabric? My pop-up camper uses that material for the tenting. It's very flexible, and it's tough stuff. Totally water proof, available in many colors, easy to patch blah blah blah...
I'll be in the market for a top in about a year so I'll monitor this!
My advice. Ignore the negative and focus on the positive. Nothing good will happen by responding. Just work at it. Produce a quality product and they will come.
You have an old TLCA member willing to loan you a perfect top. I'd suggest you jump on it. Thats about a grand or more someone is willing to give to a complete stranger.
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- #70
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Wadesters
SILVER Star
Tops
I think you have a great idea! I owned an FJ40 in the past with a Paki Top. I found it to be fine except the hardware rusted easily. I wanted one for another project recently. The order came in and the top was damaged in customs. I ended up buying one of the last tops STC produced. The fit and quality of that top is great. Unfortunately they are not is business any longer.
I would be happy to loan you my FJ40 under normal circumstances. However, I have completed a restoration on it and would not relesh the thought of it being taken apart. Hopefully by now you have secured a vehicle for comparison. If not let me know and I will keep looking for one you can use. Regards...
I think you have a great idea! I owned an FJ40 in the past with a Paki Top. I found it to be fine except the hardware rusted easily. I wanted one for another project recently. The order came in and the top was damaged in customs. I ended up buying one of the last tops STC produced. The fit and quality of that top is great. Unfortunately they are not is business any longer.
I would be happy to loan you my FJ40 under normal circumstances. However, I have completed a restoration on it and would not relesh the thought of it being taken apart. Hopefully by now you have secured a vehicle for comparison. If not let me know and I will keep looking for one you can use. Regards...
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
if you make a top that is in the same style of oem but has a bow set-up like in a bestop around the door....and the middle bows and rear bow being like oem bows...it would make for amn easy on easy off top....which is a big complaint to oem bow owners...you have to remove the bow over the door to get the canvas out....
making tube bows is realatively easy...and there are plenty of bestop bows around to see...and reverse engineer....
there is a large # of people just looking for canvas right now...and there is a really good place in pakistan that makes the bows
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
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- #75
JohnnyC
Right in line with what I have been thinking.
Right in line with what I have been thinking.
If the only thing you can produce is the canvas I would buy that.
Thanks,
Vince
Thanks,
Vince
thecrazygreek
A.K.A. TheCraftyGreek
As long as you can prduce a OEM type soft top, and keep it inline with the cost of a "best top" (maybe a bit more) then I am all over it... That whole UV thing is huge when it comes to soft tops, and I dought Eshans tops have anything UV rated. (not a dig, just facts) Plus the material will be top notch.
Thanks for your efforts.
Thanks for your efforts.
I dropped an e-mail to Brother Bullfrog (Mike F.) with a link to this thread, but he doens't check his mail often. Was checking to see if he'd installed the canvas 7 window Paki top and bows I sent him a few months back - if not he's pretty close to ya'all. Maybe Marshall could give him a call. If not, I'll dig out his number and call him when I get back from wheeling this weekend....
As to all the negative waves - just skip the irrelevant portions and move forward.
:shotts:
Also - I'd asked a question, you had stated your brother had made other tops before - what was the price of just the top using the premium materials? Then - take a stab at an adjusted price for this top - don't be shy, nobody's gonna hold you to it - but would be interesting to see if it thins out the herd.
As to all the negative waves - just skip the irrelevant portions and move forward.
:shotts:Also - I'd asked a question, you had stated your brother had made other tops before - what was the price of just the top using the premium materials? Then - take a stab at an adjusted price for this top - don't be shy, nobody's gonna hold you to it - but would be interesting to see if it thins out the herd
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- #79
Sputnik40
Travis has asked me to respond on his behalf, with what I am able to, as I spend a lot of time lurking here!!
I'll have to let Travis answer that one.
He should be around before too long , to answer what I cannot , and in his own words....he's a little busy tonight....
He is new to online forums , so please be patient, and stay tuned..
Travis has asked me to respond on his behalf, with what I am able to, as I spend a lot of time lurking here!!
I'll have to let Travis answer that one.
He should be around before too long , to answer what I cannot , and in his own words....he's a little busy tonight....
He is new to online forums , so please be patient, and stay tuned..
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- #80
BTW!
I personally appreciate all of the feed back.......It's really helps to "grease the wheels" of this project, knowing that there is this much interest in it.
Keep it coming , I think my bro in law will be impressed with the turn out!
I personally appreciate all of the feed back.......It's really helps to "grease the wheels" of this project, knowing that there is this much interest in it.
Keep it coming , I think my bro in law will be impressed with the turn out!
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