Soft Top and Roll Cage Recommendations

I am looking to get a bikini soft top for my '73 1/2 cab. Right now it just has the hard top. I am wondering if anyone has any opinions on which soft top or roll cage. I like the 4 pt roll cage that comes down at a 45° angle. But do I need it to go all the way into the cab area for the bikini soft top to attach?

"...do I need it to go all the way into the cab area for the bikini soft top to attach?

NO.., they come with a metal riser that goes on top of the windshield. The top attaches to that & the back only needs the behind the seats roll bar. The straps attach to "Footman loops" supplied in the kit.

Is this this the roll cage that I'm looking for? I really don't know too much about them, just wanting to be sure I get the correct cage before purchasing. Anyone have any other sites or cages they have seen or think may look better? Thanks

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-17700-bronco-interior-rear-roll-bar-cage.html

Just looking for a cage behind the seats and for it to drop down into the bed of the truck.

Yep.., that's it..! All the EB stores have them. It's the basic unit.., but you can always add on to it if you want more, at a later date. The prices are all pretty equal.

I see they mention if it is a Terra Comp body it may need customizing. I have no idea what that means. Anybody able to tell me how to identify the difference? Thanks

The Terracomp is a fiberglass body. If you don't have a fiberglass (aftermarket) body you shouldn't need to worry about that.

It seems some of the sample photos on the websites show a different type of truck bed than I have, there is a metal sheet behind my bench seat that comes up at an angle. I have attached some photos, the thing I am worried about is the roll cage not fitting because of this piece of metal. The cage seems to come straight down into the bed of the truck with no angle, and it looks like it may cause issues with what I have. Can anyone take a look at the pictures and tell me what you think?? Thanks in advance

Here is a picture I am comparing with

Hi PJ..,

The behind the seat rollbars "foot" sits in that 'lil square area you see in front of the wheel well(s).

That bar goes straight up.

That "bulkhead" (sheetmetal) was in all the 1/2 cabs. I'm guessing it will come close but clear it.

Worst case.., you might have to hog out a small 1/2 moon notch on that flat top of the bulkhead.

Great to hear! Thanks Bully Bob!

You're welcome,

One other check to be sure..., ask your chosen supplier where that "foot" sits to be sure.

Designs change over the yrs.,  & wouldn't hurt to be sure.

I am currently working on installing the risers for the soft top and it says to measure the windshield to tailgate distance. It needs to be between 83 3/4" to 84" for the soft top to fit correctly. My measurement is at 83", I am guessing the media console I have installed is causing the windshield to bend lower than it should, it says to install shims in order to correct for this problem. I have two questions about this:

1. Where are the screws located to push the windshield forward?

2. What do I use as a shim? I am doubting it means a wooden shim, do I use washers or are there metal shims I can buy somewhere? 

Thanks for any help!

Here are some shims that might work for you.  You can also check a local auto repair shop supplier.  Most of them are open to the public and usually helpful.  http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fbr/full.aspx?Page=19

Good luck,

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The rubber gasket the hinge folds on kinda sets the windshield position. The lock-down knobs

(lower right & left) set the pressure/snugness.

You could put washers there at the knobs but you risk water leakage.

However, I've never seen two measurements the same..?

I put a brace between the top of my windshield frame & the crossbar of the rollbar, just to

give more support & stop any poss. wiggle.

IMHO.., you have a couple choices. You could put a fresh gasket in. You could add some rubber

to the existing gasket. Place shims (least favorite).

--OR--

Just go ahead & mount the the soft top. They fit "tight" & usually have to be pulled down

& set in the warm/hot sun. At some point, if you're not happy with the snugness, it's simple

to losen the supports, unhook the softtop fr. the windshield & make any adjustments.

---Suggestion--

If the hinge works or can be oiled so as to fold the windshield forward enough to

inspect the gasket &/or clean it.., this is a good time to do so. (crud gathers in there)

New gaskets are cheap.

This is all assuming you're NOW speaking about a "full soft top"..., not a 'lil

bikini top over cab area only, as your 1st. post refered to.

Thanks for all the help on this topic. One last question I have about this involves the roll bars. I have found two different options to choose from:

1. A fully welded set that ships ready to bolt into the truck.

2. A 3 piece set the is bolted together. This set is a little less expensive and ships for less.

Has anyone had experience with the bolt together set? I'm just wondering if its worth saving the $80 or so. It doesn't seem like there is much of a difference between the two other than the fact of having to put the set together. Thanks for any input

Not with the EB's but, had bolt-up's in the Land Cruisers.

Have no preference..., both work & cause no problems.

However, view it on line..... if you see an issue with the bolts, make a decision then.

Again, did you change your mind away fr. a bikini top to a full soft-top..??

No, still doing the bikini soft top. It just arrived a few days ago and looks great! The bolt together set is the same as the original roll bars I was looking at, comes right up behind the front seat and angles down to the bed of the truck. I'm ordering those today once I decide. I will definitely post some pics of the finished product. Thanks for all the help!

This is the bolt together roll bar I am looking at getting.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/San_Felipe_Tube_Bar_bare

I noticed someone had asked a question if this would fit a 1/2 cab, and the response was "no". Does anyone know why this wouldn't fit the 1/2 cab? Did they mean it wouldn't fit with the hard top on?

That's a fine look'n roll bar..!!

If you wanted a roll bar to fit with the 1/2 cab in place.., you'd likely have to build your own, or modify one of the

store bought ones.

All rollbars fit under the (full) hardtop.

To clarify;

Hardtop = full metal top W/S to tailgate

1/2 cab =  covers cab only, metal

Soft top =  full rag top W/S to tailgate, req. support bows. Has sides/windows & door options.

Bikini    =   Fabric covers cab only.., req. rollbar (no sides)

Safari top = Fabric, (full length bikini of sorts) runs W/S to tailgate. Req. support bows. (no sides)