U.S soft top possibility version 2 east coast

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I am not being negative, I am just looking at it from a different point of view. I want an OEM style top made in the US just like everyone else. Do you really think I want to go through the hassle of wiring $15K to the one of the most widely scrutinized parts of the world. Who knows if it puts me on some watchlist or something. But that's the price we are willing to pay to make our trucks look original. I wince everytime I look in my garage and see my 40 with its 20ish year old Bestop Supertop. I would probably pay a lot more for a quality top that I could get here without any hassles.

 

[Weedhopper]

One other thought to toss out which I know is premature, would be a super premium top like the Icon, or a similar material with layers.

I was out with the 40 yesterday in 2 1/2 " of rain (sorry Wob) and the bestop did very well, but after about 4 hours the material began to weep, and if I smacked the inside of the top with my hand I got a shower. My wife just got a new convertible with a nice heavy layered top and it was fine. Just my .02 for the day.

 

[highlandcruzer]

One other thought to toss out which I know is premature, would be a super premium top like the Icon, or a similar material with layers.

I was out with the 40 yesterday in 2 1/2 " of rain (sorry Wob) and the bestop did very well, but after about 4 hours the material began to weep, and if I smacked the inside of the top with my hand I got a shower. My wife just got a new convertible with a nice heavy layered top and it was fine. Just my .02 for the day.

Yeah I get the same "weeping" from my Bestop.....it sucks!

Speaking for Travis here.........I'm sure once the pattern is set , there could be verious window layout options ,and especially material choices......."made to order"

 

[flash02]

I like how the OEM soft top looks, but I do not like the bow set up or the canvas. I would be very interested in a factory look a like made out of modern material. I hope this all works out, and remember that the cost is a big deal.

 

[highlandcruzer]

Just a little update

We have had some very generous offers , so far!!



The most viable [sp.?] being from on the west coast.
He has graciously offered to ship to us what he has....I believe it was a "Kayline" OEM factory style top that fits the factory bows. He also has the factory soft top bows [shipping might be an issue], as well as most any of the OEM soft top related hardware that we might need for installation. Thank you again!


I think it would be in both parties best interests to give this a little time and see if someone closer [hopefully local] might be willing and able to do this. It might be better to work with someone "hands on". Again, Ideally A Toyota OEM top.........but aftermarket may be what we have to go with initially.

Any feed back/pictures of the Kayline tops ?....I'm not familiar with them.......sounds good though..



Alright.... North Carolina!....Where you at?!.......
Olde North state cruisers speak up!

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

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?

If you want a reproduction of an original get an original, if you want a reproduction STC get a STC........

Obviously, the interest is there, maybe your niche may be offering premium material and a better design with an OEM look by studying all the others.

 

[ShaneD]

I have a paki top and bows in Holly Springs NC that you could borrow. I bought it about a year ago and have not put it on yet. PM me if you're interested.

 

[rockcod]

With all the talk about how expensive it is make the bows, and the "B" pillar portion of the top in particular. Has anyone considered making it out of fiberglass? A mold could be made from a good original. It might be worth looking into.

 

[nuclearlemon]

With all the talk about how expensive it is make the bows, and the "B" pillar portion of the top in particular. Has anyone considered making it out of fiberglass? A mold could be made from a good original. It might be worth looking into.

not just the b pillar. also the above door support. it not only would be a pain, but it is a pain. someone said you have to remove the portion above the door to get the top off. in warm weather you don't but it still sucks.

removing the top from the b pillar sucks. since it's rope channel style, removing from the w/s sucks.

ideal top, having had an paki replica top...
a)newer style "v" groove front channel.

b)some other way of securing top to channel above door and b pillar (besttop tigertop wrapped material around with velco, didn't hold well and you had to add snaps to keep it from coming undone, dont' know how the fastrac holds)

c) i have the original top in double layered vinyl...wayyyyyyy too heavy to deal with and doesn't have that classic look. either canvas or the "denim vinyl" that bestop uses

d) definitely anything better for the hardware. i used cheap hardware store vinyl because the stuff sent looked like it was cut out of a tuna can.

e) definitely seven windows. i've only got five window and you'd be amazed how blind you are out the back even if you have a huge center window

f) no matter what you make the top material from, do not use vinyl for the "straps", it stretches and rips

g) removeable windows would be cool for dual window options (clear or tinited) and for replacement (three of my five shattered this year).


please, don't consider this a rip on eshan's top. i got my money's worth out of it. i was in the first batch of purchases (and yes, i was damn nervous about sending a $600+ to pakistan right after 9/11) and i was warned by eshan himself that the hardware would be junk, they couldn't get good hardware. i've also seriously abused this top over the last five years...my 40 sits outside 24/7/365 and the tops been on through many colorado winters. i don't clean it or treat it. i wheel it and have rubbed it against trees. it's abused and it lasted longer than the bestop tigertop i bought in the early 90s. same price, longer life, a hell of a lot better looking, and i have oem replica bows.

 

[highlandcruzer]

I have a paki top and bows in Holly Springs NC that you could borrow. I bought it about a year ago and have not put it on yet. PM me if you're interested.

PM'd

 

[highlandcruzer]

nuclearlemon

Great list ! Thank you ! That's exactly the kind of info we need to hear.......from people that use their tops.

 

[antFJ]

I must say that I did not approve of this statement... to think that we are Ehsan's only customers is ridiculous and what he and immortal4x4 decide to do with their companies is their business. Graham has already said he isn't out to make a profit.

As far as the back up is concerned if you must know I believe it was mentioned that this new partnership will allow Ehsan to expand and give more people in his area jobs.

Also you can't make a claim about the quality of a product you haven't seen yourself. That one guy on the thread (page 2 or 3) who said his top sucks is THE ONLY person i've seen complain about Ehsan's quality and he has posted something like that once before. Someone had asked him if he brought it up with Ehsan and he never responded... Ehsan (from what I've read on this forum) has always dealt with people fairly. So to say that many people have complained is a flat out lie.

That having been said i must say i am looking forward to seeing the results of your en devours... and i wish you luck.

How much proffit can be made by importing Ehsan's?.....Enough to keep prices the same? It still has to be shipped from Canada

Can Ehsan keep this guy in stock.......... He can't keep up with demand now!!

Many people have complained about Ehsans fabric guality and craftsmenship. What do you do if it falls apart?

 

[highlandcruzer]

I wish Ehsan well with his endeavors, truly,.... as well as Graham [whom I have spoken with personally " We got no beef here" ] I meant no offense.

I'll change the "many people " comment. Forgive me . The thread felt like it was going chit chat .....and I was simply trying to make the point that we all have obstacles to overcome.....not just us. And maybe we have something to offer.

I don't like negativity and don't believe in giving up before I give something 100%.


I'd like to focus on the task at hand

With that being said if we can keep the chat to a minimum , it would be appreciated.

 

[JohnnyC]

early on the ehsan tops had alot of issues....and many were complaining....but...ehsan is a very reputable guy and has resolved issus with every customer that i know of...but 'many people' would not know that

the early problems have been corrected and ehsans product is now very good...he used better thread and better hardwear...(at least the best hardwear he can get)

Thread is the key to many good tops...needs to be a coated thread...especially in the NE and anywere they use salt on the roads...your B_Inlaw...willl know what thread to use and be able to find a good plasti-coated denim or good canvas...coated canvas being much better.

my top as good as it came out had just two minor issues...
1) it fits too snug for my liking...canvas tends to 'shrink to fit' ...it would have been nice to have it just a bit looser...still i have no issues with unzipping windows in my over 3 years of having the top on my truck ...a DD in the NE....my kayline zippers lasted like a 1 1/2 yrs? then came apart....two different tops...uses good large zippers....brass zippers have a tendency to get really tight in the weather....but look really cool for an authentic look....my top have large plastic zippers...and weather flaps over the zipper to sheald them from weather damage

2) the side windows should have been a tad bit smaller side to side....so the 1st webbing on that side could mount to the rear vertical ...and not to the roll up window.

you are going to need actual cotton webbing for any canvas top...and for denim you will need nylon straps.

mil grade hardwear will last a long time ...as i have had no issues with mine....but many people would like SS also.

 

[JohnnyC]

double up canvas is not a good idea....unless its mildue resistant coated canvas

regular canvas (uncoated) can trap moisture and mold between the layers.

denim doesnt have that issue AFAIK

I had on my top all the areas that are in contact with bows doubled-up for added strength and around the webbing for added strength for pulling (this is standard for most mil tops)

With coated canvas millitary tops you have the option of "winter tops" with have a thermal liner inside the cabin area...keeps the heat in kozy warm

I would be interested in a "winter top" version sometime in the future...I am not in the market now for $$$ issues.

I have been researching different companies and OEM toyota tops for along time...I would have loved to do what you are doing now...but i got married had two kids bought a house and ran out of time

Keep it up man...i as many others would love to see a local manufacturer...i too have ideas...for individual things to be made...but...i will not hit you with those now...as just building tops is the priority right now...make an oem top...to go over oem bows....and work from there...after all the foundation to what you are going to build on is the oem top...so that should be the starting point.

sorry to ramble

 

[highlandcruzer]

hijacking my own thread briefly.......

Just so that everyone understands clearly,

I noticed that there was a comment about me , Highlandcruzer "not being able to afford a top, and with that being the case , how could I afford to produce another one".

I will not be producing these tops.......my brother in law will be[ potentially]..... My line of work is completely unrelated!

I have no monetary interest in this project........... [I do want a top ]

Believe it or not , I would really enjoy contributing to this community!!

I don't have as much to offer on Mud , but if there is something I can help with , I will do it wholeheartedly!


Even if "softtopguy' [my bro] cannot produce these profitably......
[you can throw me all the I-told-ya-so's]

someone will , in effect "double their money"........having two softtops instead of one! Which I think is fair.

Hopefully this can be a win-win , for everybody !


Thanks again for everyone's support!


*Update*
I am communicating with a couple of guys....about who might be best able to do this....... we've had some very kind offers......

'just feel that we should give this a little time.......and use the one that is best for the project.....i.e. "best one to copy".... "least delivery trouble" etc....thanks for your patience!

We don't have the" ideal" at this very moment , as I type.

So , Continue to contact me!........try to be as specific as you can with your messages so I can sort through options easily.

 

[highlandcruzer]

JohnnyC

Once again ,thanks! , you've been a big help , your contributions have really been appreciated!!

 

[foxfab]

Bows should NOT be more than $4-500 in quantity. If I can build a roll cage for $1000, then bows HAVE to be 1/2 that.

The bows will cost you another $1K. So you'd spend $2K for a US made top? That's crazy. Not to mention that with one man working in his shop making tops, the delivery times would start to climb as demand increases.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Bows should NOT be more than $4-500 in quantity. If I can build a roll cage for $1000, then bows HAVE to be 1/2 that.

Mike,
If you can make them for that amount, then you should do it! I have said this before, I deal with machine shops everyday at my job. Not one of them wanted to touch the bows for under a $1,000. Maybe it's because they are busy, bigger shops, maybe I haven't found the right one or maybe because once you really look at the work that goes into them, it's a lot more complicated then bending metal tubes into a rollcage.

The bows have flat ends, welded tabs and compound bends, not to mention the stamped parts that make up the door frame.

Again, I hope highlandcruzer's brother in law can make them for a reasonable amount.

 

[JohnnyC]

Mike,
If you can make them for that amount, then you should do it! I have said this before, I deal with machine shops everyday at my job. Not one of them wanted to touch the bows for under a $1,000. Maybe it's because they are busy, bigger shops, maybe I haven't found the right one or maybe because once you really look at the work that goes into them, it's a lot more complicated then bending metal tubes into a rollcage.

wasnt Paul aka ' Lomusass ' selling the oem bows for $750 and that was tru TLC4x4 and Heritage Heritage Sheet Metal

can totally be done for under $1000

i had heard that TLC4x4 and Heritage are no longer selling the bows ? ....but you may be able to get bows from Lomusass directly now....without the markup?