Hey Guys,

I'm in the process of working with a shop that is going to make a new canvas top for my OEM bows. The top I have to use as a pattern is an old Downey top that is a little diferent from OEM. It differs by allowing all of the side to zip off leaving just a big family cage bikini top. The shop has quoted me 450 or so for the top AND the canvas doors if I just order one. This is using CANVAS and not the crap Kayline and Bestop use. The Canvas is Marine grade double coated mildew, fire, and water resistant canvas called TOP Gun... Here is the link to the canvas: http://www.glfi.com/marinecatalog_topgunpage.htm

If I can get a few more people the price will drop to 400 which is about 200 bucks cheaper than the thin Specialty Top replica. Remeber this is real Canvas. This is over 600 bucks cheaper than most price quotes for a "custom" top. The shop does AWSOME work and has about 300 trophies to show for it, so I know the top will be quality. Plus the guy has a 71 cruiser that he plays with in the woods :)

If you are interested let me know...I'm not sure how many people have the top here, but it is worth a try. Here is a quick pict of what it will look like in the color of your choice. Notice how it all zips away!!!

Shane

Where can you get the doors and Bows? I hear that is the hardest part of this OEM softop conversion...

i was gonna ask the same thing about the bows and doors. i am going to buy a soft top.......soon. if i could find the appropriate stuff, i would check this top out. any ideas?

Shane,

Put me down for one! Hemp Beige.

Dave

To All-

I have a full repro set of bows in the works. April or so should have a prototype done. Best thing about mine, they should be UPS able.

rick

Hey Guys...

Sorry, but I should have made myself clear. This is for the canvas ONLY. Rick, IS that your site that has the write up on how to make the OEM bows? Since I just got mine, I fully understand how you made it. Looks pretty easy once you get down to it if you have a scrap hard top.

Shane

Shane-

No, not my site. By trying to base set construction on a finite stock of parts (old hard tops) you would be screwing yourself. Also, that version is too labor intensive and still does not solve several issues (hardware, over door bows). I am working on a complete non Toyota kit that still folds like the original and can be used with any OEM like soft top. While I am interested in your concept for a soft top, I want my canvas to be as near to OEM as possible (over flap on tub twisties, single window or dual windows, and the one piece twist in rear-and OD in color).

By the way, Specialty Tops are $498.62 for their canvas on the web site. But these have no internal straps, one little one large side window, and no over flap.

Hey...

Sounds sweet. I do know that Specialy Top is almost 5 bills, but the door panels are another 100 bucks and that is where I got the 600. Like I said above, my top is a Downey Top from 78 and it is a little different from stock, but I think in a good way. If someone has an OEM Canvas top we could borrow for 2 weeks, the deal is done. Now to canvas. I haven't seen a canvas top in person so I can't tell you whay the weight is. After talking in depth to a bunch of canvas people all said the link above was the best. Especially since it only shrinks 1%. We can aslo source army duck as it is called... Here is a good link for a little canvas info:

http://www.davistent.com/canin.html


Now as to using canvas. ALOT of shops won't touch it with a 20 ft pole. It seems that while stiching it it produces linters into the air that cause lung cancer. I know that is one reson Specialy Top WON'T use canvas for any amount of money. I've already talked to them

What do you mean about the over the door bows and folds like the original? I'm just not understanding that sice you can't fold the OEM bows. Twisties aren't a big deal. those are 20 bucks for 100 at the boat supply store.

Shane

Give these guys a call http://www.cruiserco.com/ Talk to "spanky"
or Erin Heard. I saw where they had soft top bows & doors
stacked up in their barn, down in the field where they keep their
parts cruisers.

I did the write up on the reproduction OEM front bows.
http://members.home.net/cglabe1/FrontBow/FrontBow.html
My intention is to offer a kit for the conversion of junk hard top sides into OEM soft tops. You can use either OEM hard doors or make your own soft doors. I just need to get my hands on an original OEM bow set in order to have the little details come out right. I am also interested in OEM canvas tops, so keep me advised. I am also buying junk hard top sides if anyone has any that they want to get rid of.

Hey Nolen, I'm planning on using the rest of that hard top I got from Rusty and fab up some bows like Pin Head. Do you think Nick will let me use his bows as a model off his BJ?

Pin Head, any idea when your Kit will be complete and approx price? I've already got the Hard Top sides...

Jeremie
7/77FJ40

All you guys are supposed to be selling those junk hard top sides to me.

Right now what I have in mind is selling the C channel that retains the top edges at the windshield and around the doors, a piece of angle to fill in the cut part of the hard top side and the tubular bows. The price is going to depend on how much labor goes into it. Right now, the best price I have is $10 per bend and a total of 10 bends is required. I am also thinking of buying a bender, but I am going to have to make a few of the sets to get my money out of it. I'm guessing about $150-200 for C channel, cut angle stock and rear tubes and you would have to make all the ditsy brackets and weld it up and finish it. If you want it shipped by UPS, the rear bow will have to be cut in 3 pieces. I'm thinking about finishing it sometime after Xmas, sooner if I get a JD2 tube bender and I can get my hands on an original set to get the bends right.

OK GUYS

Here's and Update!!!

This is looking good now... but only on the initial run. The canvas guy I am working with has been more than helpful but there might be some interest from a vendor. If they purchase the tops too, after the initial order, I'm sure the price will go up to vendor prices so if you are interested with cash in Hand contact me soon.

Right now the price is going to be around 500-630 bucks depending on different things. My initial price was for a copy of my top which isn't as intricate as an exact OEM top. Consensus has it that We are now (if we can get a sample top) going to copy the oem top, double windows out of 40 gauge vinyl (can be buffed out), zippers that will allow a side to roll up or zip out completly, toggles on the body, and using the Top Gun Marine Canvas. when all is said and done there will be over 300 bucks in material with buckles, zippers, canvas, vinyl, and cord. Put it into perspective... Kayline's top material is 7 bucks a yard while Top Gun is 22 or so. Much more durable. Besides, Specialty Tops material is OEM JEEP material. Do you want jeep stuff on that rig :)

I want a top that will last, and I'm not going to squibble over 100 bucks hence the cost increase because of quality. We will use stainless buckles instead of plastic just for starters. Just so you know...

>>> I"M NOT MAKING ANY $$$ HERE<<<

Any questions? Comments? Suggestions? Let me know

Shane

Shane, I want an OEM soft top for my 40 bad. I got a 1979 BJ43 (vinyl) soft top and hardware, and my current plan is to shorten it the 10" or so to fit my 40 and later on have the top reproduced. (This one is in well-used condition.)

If I spend lots of dough on a repro OEM soft top, I'll want it to look like the OEM soft top. It's one of the rare cases where I'd go for form over function.

Morgan

Shane,
That price, does it include the canvas doors? I have no OEM door frames so is it less for only the top and no doors?
Also, if a vendor does buy-in, will the price go down (ie. large volume discount)?
Jeremie
7/77FJ40

i'm definitely interested...i've already got the doors...now, just need a top to finish the function.

Ok.. to answer a few questions.

Morgan... we are going to make it as OEM as possible but like I said above OEM over a 20 year period changed A LOT!!! Take Randy's top with all toggle snaps and one window side (early 60's) David's 7 window top with zippers. I have a picture of a 7 window with the sides zipped out. Oem also came in a three window and a five window with different options on them. Some have big windows others have small. So that was where we need to come together and decide on a "standard" type. that's what I ment above. Make any sense?

Jeremy... It's not going to be any different without the doors with the exception of maybe a yard in fabric. The maker is just throwing those in the deal. Kayline is making about 90 bucks on them. So yes, I guess it would be about 15 bucks cheaper. But, if it was me I would buy them even with no doors to use as a patch if the need may ever arise. I already have enough people somewhat commited if we can make it OEM and if the vendor buys in.... Consider the first run price lucky. How much do you think SOR would charge someone for an OEM heavy softop that is better than Kayline? I am dealing with a maker who is doing the Fab work DIRT CHEAP because of the slow time of the year. Others have gotten quotes well over a grand for something similar. Also, if a vendor has the tops, they have to make a profit so the retail price is set. Why would you pay 1000 for the top if the same top was availible direct for half. The vender would be stuck with a ton of tops. With the tops in the 500-600 range the maker is making 2-300 for the work. Yeah that seems like a lot if you had a huge shop making 10 in one day. But this is a small shop dealing in specialized canvas. It will be a good day of sewing to put out one top. We want QUALITY HERE!!! So really they aren't making much. In the end... If i come up with say 5000 bucks in cash, he might say a little discount, but what is 20 or thirty bucks in the long run on something that will hopefully last 30 more years?

Does that make sense?

Shane

For all of the people wondering what the Canvas is like... If you have ever seen a CAN-BACK bed top, it is similar to that only thicker and more waterproof. That canvas is called Sunbrella and is thinner than the Top Gun material we are planning on using. Man, you think they could make better names for the fabrics :)

Shane

The CANBACK quality canvas is awesome. Saw one of theirs at TLC, and it is really nice weight canvas. I am interested in getting a top as well... Now I have to find soft top bows and parts...Anyone got a set or parts there of???

Oh well, here's to hoping:beer:

Fear not Brett, soon there will be an option for you. Soon soon soon.

shane,

keep me posted as i'd like to pick up a canvas top.

-john

Shane

I would be interested in one . I had some guy give me the OME doors and all the bows. They look new. I also have a OME style top in white that has the turn type snaps on the side and straps on the back window . It has a few rips in it but not bad. I would like to go to a black top. Please keep me informed.

Taylor