What bikini top do you have?

[74fj40]

Looking for current options. I have a family cage and an old best top bikini top that only fits so so. Would love something that goes the length of the cruiser. Don’t want to, but may have my mom sew something up.

 

[skidplate]

I threw together a temporary top while painting my hard top a couple of years ago. I used an old O.D. canvas tarp cut down to size and just used grommets in the rear corners and used para cord to tie it off. Didn't figure out how to stitch in a "bead" for the windshield channel so I sandwiched the canvas between the channel and windshield. So If dear old Mom is that handy with the sewing machine, seems she could whip up something similar but with straps instead of using rope for tying it down...........or I think you could buy one from SOR. Yes I am a cheap redneck.

 

[1911]

I'm still using the Specter Off-Road one that came with mine when I bought it, but it's a standard bikini top (not long enough for a family cage). I'm using it on a MetalTech Jackson cage; actually had to shorten it a few inches when I attached the front edge channel to the cage instead of the windshield.

San Juans

• 1911
• Sep 11, 2017

San Juans 2

• 1911
• Sep 11, 2017

 

[SMG]

I threw together a temporary top while painting my hard top a couple of years ago. I used an old O.D. canvas tarp cut down to size and just used grommets in the rear corners and used para cord to tie it off. Didn't figure out how to stitch in a "bead" for the windshield channel so I sandwiched the canvas between the channel and windshield. So If dear old Mom is that handy with the sewing machine, seems she could whip up something similar but with straps instead of using rope for tying it down...........or I think you could buy one from SOR. Yes I am a cheap redneck.View attachment 1693330

That’s an awesome idea, I think I may do the same while I work on my hardtop. I looked on eBay and there’s a lot of different colors of heavy duty canvas at really affordable prices.

Did you make that channel piece across the top of the windshield?
How did it hold up cruising down the road?

 

[cruiserkev]

I have a long bikini top from SOR that covers the rear passengers. I think it's called a family top and was around $100.

 

[skidplate]

That’s an awesome idea, I think I may do the same while I work on my hardtop. I looked on eBay and there’s a lot of different colors of heavy duty canvas at really affordable prices.

Did you make that channel piece across the top of the windshield?
How did it hold up cruising down the road?

SMG, The canvas I used was a tarp purchased at my local hardware store. The windshield channel is the one SOR sells for their bikini and soft top. No flapping at speed, but the top "poofs" up in the middle, just like the real bikini top.

 

[GoPats]

I'm still using the Specter Off-Road one that came with mine when I bought it, but it's a standard bikini top (not long enough for a family cage). I'm using it on a MetalTech Jackson cage; actually had to shorten it a few inches when I attached the front edge channel to the cage instead of the windshield.

San Juans

• 1911
• Sep 11, 2017

San Juans 2

• 1911
• Sep 11, 2017

Hijack ... did you make those 1/2 doors or is there one out there selling them?

 

[G-Cat]

I have the first generation of the SOR family (full length) bikini top on my 77 with full cage. No complaints.

Page 272 Land Cruiser Family & Extreme Plus Summer Tops

 

[1911]

Hijack ... did you make those 1/2 doors or is there one out there selling them?

Bought those from Redline Land Cruisers in Colorado: Red Line Land Cruisers - Parts, Restoration, & Service - Toyota FJ40, FJ55, FJ60, FJ62, FJ80 & More - Red Line Land Cruisers

More info and photos of them here in a review I did in this forum, a couple of years ago:

Tube doors: Redline & Metal Tech compared on the same truck

 

[troy scott]

I'm still using the Specter Off-Road one that came with mine when I bought it, but it's a standard bikini top (not long enough for a family cage). I'm using it on a MetalTech Jackson cage; actually had to shorten it a few inches when I attached the front edge channel to the cage instead of the windshield.

San Juans

• 1911
• Sep 11, 2017

San Juans 2

• 1911
• Sep 11, 2017

Cool pic!

 

[1911]

Cool pic!

Thanks. The summit of one of the passes (Engineer?) in the San Juan Mountains in SW Colorado.

 

[crashn]

Take a look @ TPI fj 40 parts

 

[thebigredrocker]

Bought this family top from Marv’s a few years ago. Just installed tonight. It’s my first bikini I suppose it’s really just for shade.

Used stainless rivnuts M5’s fit in the existing 7mm holes good.

This practice nut was a low profile, I ended up switching to a regular head for more bite.

 

[marketShark]

My 40 came with a Bestop soft top, so I already had the windshield channel for the front edge of the full top. Right off, I had the option to swap out for a bikini top when I decided to get one. One day, under local CL "free stuff" postings, I saw a Jeep CJ bikini top. It was brown and poorly spray painted black. I cleaned it, lightly sanded it, and repainted with a proper black vinyl paint from auto store.
The seam on the top that is supposed to accommodate the bend of the roll cage cross bar is a little off from CJ to FJ40, but I couldn't beat the price of fo' free.

TLDR: Free CJ Bestop Bikini from local CL. Repainted black, works just fine on a 40. See red 40:

 

[kbahus]

I have a SOR Extreme Summer Top. It is ok, definitely gives the truck a different look. My only complaint is the way the straps are it is hard to get it tight and not flap.

 

[Warloc]

I’ve ran the Bestop bikinis for years. A few years ago I bought one on EBay that I think is the best one I’ve used. It’s been on almost all of the last six years. It was made by Speciality MFG in Colorado. It’s made from different material, more like you find on boat covers and the gray color is much cooler than shiny black tops. Not sure if they are still around or if they make other lengths, this fit my sand roll bar nicely.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Couple of observations on my SOR deluxe family top:

1. it needs a strap between B pillar and C pillar to prevent flapping at high speeds. Sounds like Indiana Jones bull whip cracking.

2. It’s a bit too long. The rear comes down too far and blocks rear visabiliy.

The top is well built but could use some tweaking IMO. I wonder if @Trollhole’s shop can make a better bikini?

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

Couple of observations on my SOR deluxe family top:

1. it needs a strap between B pillar and C pillar to prevent flapping at high speeds. Sounds like Indiana Jones bull whip cracking.

2. It’s a bit too long. The rear comes down too far and blocks rear visabiliy.

The top is well built but could use some tweaking IMO. I wonder if @Trollhole’s shop can make a better bikini?

Agreed 100%. I ended up doing that on the same top. The short center strap on the rear was pretty much useless with my RedLine full cage. Bought some 1" utility straps with the plastic buckles at WalMart. Attatching it to the center middle hoop strap around the bar pulling it forward will allow you to tention it to help with the flap. The roll back "sun roof screen" will flap also and there really isn't a way around it. A simple one piece with multiple tie down and tentioners would be a good option though. Still better than nothing in light rain or overhead summer sun.