What’s the minimum support structure for a bikini top?

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Hlnds4118

Hlnds4118

Joined
Dec 9, 2021
Threads
5
Messages
17
Location
highlands, nc
I have a recently restored 67 that I would like the option of going topless, almost. Curious as to what type of roll/light bar could be used to support a bikini top. I actually have some type of, supposedly roll bar, probably 1”ish tubing that I haven’t really looked closely at. It sat for years unfinished and is pretty rusty but might be worth looking if it will suit my needs. Looking for the lightest structure to support a bikini top.

Thanks
 
I'm embarrassed to admit it now but many, many years ago I actually had to do the same thing as you on my 1970 and I made a rollbar-like hoop out of pvc conduit fitted to the b-piller's holes to support the bikini top. Obviously it's not crash proof but when you're young and invincible it worked great. Your 1" tubing ain't gonna protect you either but it should work. If I were to do that again I would have placed two spanning tubes from the top of the windshield back to the "ROPS" for more rigidity. That might help minimize the rain bubble, too.
 
Hlnds4118 said:
I have a recently restored 67 that I would like the option of going topless, almost. Curious as to what type of roll/light bar could be used to support a bikini top. I actually have some type of, supposedly roll bar, probably 1”ish tubing that I haven’t really looked closely at. It sat for years unfinished and is pretty rusty but might be worth looking if it will suit my needs. Looking for the lightest structure to support a bikini top.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Short wheelbase narrow vehicle, even in street situations there is potential for a rollover. A classmate in high school died in this manner when he cut a corner too close and clipped a large heavy steel mail box that flipped his Jeep. I would suggest a good solid rollbar to support your top.
I'm working on my FJ40 that will be used 90% of the time without a hard top. I love the look of a 40 topless without the bar and the temptation was great to leave off the cage that came with it but I went with substance over style and kept the cage. The PO added the front section to the stock bar.

DSCF1592-001.webp
 
Is there a full roll cage that works with the long jump seats? I know that anything less will not provide any rollover protection but I don’t think the hardtop does too much either. I might be able to use some of the pieces I have on hand to fab up a hoop and bars that could attach to the windshield frame. Love the PVC, sounds like something I would have done back in the day!
 
Three full "D" build it yourself. Pipe notcher and wire feed welder plus 2" pipe (2 length should do it with some flat steel for the floor.
 
Paul_A said:
I'm embarrassed to admit it now but many, many years ago I actually had to do the same thing as you on my 1970 and I made a rollbar-like hoop out of pvc conduit fitted to the b-piller's holes to support the bikini top. Obviously it's not crash proof but when you're young and invincible it worked great. Your 1" tubing ain't gonna protect you either but it should work. If I were to do that again I would have placed two spanning tubes from the top of the windshield back to the "ROPS" for more rigidity. That might help minimize the rain bubble, too.
Click to expand...
Thinking of this, but emt conduit instead of pvc.
 
charliemeyer007 said:
Three full "D" build it yourself. Pipe notcher and wire feed welder plus 2" pipe (2 length should do it with some flat steel for the floor.
Click to expand...
pipe?
maybe seamless tubing would be a wiser choice
 
Hlnds4118 said:
I have a recently restored 67 that I would like the option of going topless, almost. Curious as to what type of roll/light bar could be used to support a bikini top. I actually have some type of, supposedly roll bar, probably 1”ish tubing that I haven’t really looked closely at. It sat for years unfinished and is pretty rusty but might be worth looking if it will suit my needs. Looking for the lightest structure to support a bikini top.

Thanks
Click to expand...

This looks like your not looking for a roll bar but just a bikini support, correct?. For this I would source a factory style B pillar and door headers. If you have hard doors would source a B pillar bow with the angle for hard doors so use hard doors. Prefer the factory soft doors myself with the FST hinges. Release the door limiter swing open and lift off the door. While these are questionable if they are strong enough for hard doors they are fine for soft doors. While the OEM B pillar is strong by itself anchored to the windshield it really stout and can be removed in a couple minutes.
 
I'm doing something akin to what's been described above. When I bought my 40, the top had been shortened, which actually looked kind of cool, but it was so poorly done that I had to junk most of it. I salvaged the B-pillars, though, and am using them as the supporting structure for some modified Bestop bows. The plan is to run a bikini-type top with removable back and sides.

fj40238.webp


fj40236.webp


The tubing is 7/8" OD I believe. Not particularly heavy, but I just it need to to not collapse under the force of the wind at highway speeds. I figure if it's sturdy enough for Bestop to use on thousands of tops, I should be ok.
 
diesellibrarian said:
I'm doing something akin to what's been described above. When I bought my 40, the top had been shortened, which actually looked kind of cool, but it was so poorly done that I had to junk most of it. I salvaged the B-pillars, though, and am using them as the supporting structure for some modified Bestop bows. The plan is to run a bikini-type top with removable back and sides.

View attachment 3614079

View attachment 3614080

The tubing is 7/8" OD I believe. Not particularly heavy, but I just it need to to not collapse under the force of the wind at highway speeds. I figure if it's sturdy enough for Bestop to use on thousands of tops, I should be ok.
Click to expand...
That’s going to be cool. I’m trying to come up with something that can be easily removed when I want the hard top or left in place when the hard top is on. I probably only get 90 days a year to go topless.
 
Living in the Past said:
This looks like your not looking for a roll bar but just a bikini support, correct?. For this I would source a factory style B pillar and door headers. If you have hard doors would source a B pillar bow with the angle for hard doors so use hard doors. Prefer the factory soft doors myself with the FST hinges. Release the door limiter swing open and lift off the door. While these are questionable if they are strong enough for hard doors they are fine for soft doors. While the OEM B pillar is strong by itself anchored to the windshield it really stout and can be removed in a couple minutes.
Click to expand...
Yes, just bikini support, would you have any pictures of your suggestion?
 
Hlnds4118 said:
I have a recently restored 67 that I would like the option of going topless, almost. Curious as to what type of roll/light bar could be used to support a bikini top. I actually have some type of, supposedly roll bar, probably 1”ish tubing that I haven’t really looked closely at. It sat for years unfinished and is pretty rusty but might be worth looking if it will suit my needs. Looking for the lightest structure to support a bikini top.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I've done my share of dumb things. But I have also seem my share of wrecked '40s. And talked with people involved with injury/fatality FJ40 wrecks.

I would not operate a '40 without a roll bar.

1 inch ANYTHING is not a roll bar.
I personally have no problem with a well designed/built roll bar being made from appropriately sized pipe. DOM tub is of course better.

Install a roll bar. Anchor your bikini top to that.

Mark...
 
Last edited:
Mark W said:
I've done my share of dumb things. But I have also seem my share of wrecked '40s. And talked with people involved with injury/fatality FJ40 wrecks.

I would not operate a '40 without a roll bar.

1 inch ANYTHING is not a roll bar.
I personally have no problem with a well designed/built roll bar being made from appropriately sized pipe. DOM tub is of course better.

Install a roll bar. Anchor your bikini top to that.

Mark...
Click to expand...
Toyota dignitaries wheeling the local landmark with a rep from the first NorCal Dealer in the country. Not a roll bar to be seen 😉

IMG_5080.webp
 
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