Everybody says you should never take if off or it will never go back on the same way again, and leak, etc.

Question is, has anyone taken it off by the book(the way the owners manual spells out) and still had it not fit back right?

used to take it off on my 86 before I got a soft top. It never leaked or anything.

yup never had a problem with mine.

no probs here either.....

some peeps just like to overanalyze everything......damn web wheelers

I've had mine off all summer. We had a run today, and since it was raining i threw it on. The only place it leaked was the open window :flipoff2:

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/albums/Nenana-19-June-05/P1000813.sized.jpg

I take mine off several times per year.

it never leaks, and now I dont even install the inide trim ( its really fragile)

I only use 6 bolts now too, that makes it faster to RnR

been doing this since 2001 with ZERO leakage or problems.

Take mine off several times a year and its never leaked.

the whole point of a 1st gen runner is to pop the top, if youre too sceered, sell it. :flipoff2:

Mine leaks all the time! Oh wait, no it doesn't. Nice wheeling pic BTW

I've had 2, an 87 and 89, both of which I take the tops off, and never had any problems with leakage or alignment going back on. It is heavy and easier to remove/replace with two people, but it can be done by yourself.

I've had 2, an 87 and 89, both of which I take the tops off, and never had any problems with leakage or alignment going back on. It is heavy and easier to remove/replace with two people, but it can be done by yourself.
yup just lide it right off the back and onto it's top
lay a blanket down if you are worried about scratches :flipoff2:
i had it on with only 4 bolts with no leaks
now it is hangin in the garage for the summer
stamped steel l brackets with holes
2x4s and a HF electric winch and she goes up real easy

Just follow the removal and install steps, to a T, and you will have no problems:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_TechInfo.shtml#Shell

Yep no leaks and I don't even know what the factory recomended technique is! I have had two runners and I know the top will start squeeking a bit after you take if off the first time--not sure why but both my Runners did this. It could just be that the body starts flexing after they are wheeled hard a few times.

Jason :)

Never had squeaking with mine, but installation per the Owner's Manual steps (as listed on the web page above) helps there. What the steps do is to properly conpress the bottom and end gaskets in the right sequence to ensure a tight fit. I also hit the gaskets on mine with some rubber/vinyl cleaner/protectant before I reinstall the top.

There is a fair bit of body flex for sure, I can feel that the whole truck is stiffer with the shell on then with it off.

What the FUCK? "removal and install" steps? You've got to be kidding me. The top is meant to come off, so just take the damn thing off and quit worrying about it.

Everybody says you should never take if off or it will never go back on the same way again, and leak, etc.

Question is, has anyone taken it off by the book(the way the owners manual spells out) and still had it not fit back right?

Where is this group of EVERBODYS at?
The everybody group here don't say that :laughing: :flipoff2:

I follow the suggested bolt tightening order to the letter. I guess I am anal like that, but I know the engineers that designed the top developed that procedure for a reason.

I've never had a leak from the top that got my passengers wet. And I've never noticed leaking around the interior anywhere. There is, however, some rust damage on the driver's side rail just below where the side sliding windows are. That damage was there when I bought the truck. I'm not sure if the previous owner ever removed the top. The damage could have been from a leaky or open window and stagnant water. I'm not sure. But I've never noticed water there.

No problems here. If you are worried about it, sell it to the masses who want one. :shaking:

no problem whith mine

My truck has been rolled. The bolts around the cab don't even line up. I have had my top off several times and have never had a leak even though things don't line up properly. Half the time I only put a couple of bolts back on it.

mine has been on and off more than a gigolo on Paris Hilton...unlike Paris Hilton, I have no leaks...

No leaks on mine...been off and on for god knows how many years.

I remember a friend having a lot of leaks with his fullsize Blazer after taking the fiberglass top off of it. I think that was because of the larger size, it was a lot more difficult to keep everything in line after taking it off. I think the Toyota tops are much more stable because of the more compact dimensions.

Everybody says you should never take if off or it will never go back on the same way again, and leak, etc.

Would everybody that says this please post up???? If they are not members here, have them sign up. Tell them we are a very newbie friendly board... :D

Personally, I say pull it off and never put it back on again :p

Mine is collecting dust in the corner of the shop right now...

I have had two runners, neither top leaked after pulling it off. As mentioned, don't be afraid to push the limits of your vehicle.

JW