questions about soft tops

[whitey]

i just wanted to know if anyone has a "regular" soft top and what they're like. after i pulled my top off i realized it was awesome but, also realized it would be **** to put back on. my option would be to leave it off in the summer then put it back on in the winter. so that leaves me exposed here in california 8 months a year. it doesn't rain a whole lot but when it does i'd like to cover up. i don't have a garage otherwise i would use the 2x6 (or whatever it is) method with the ratcheting tie downs.

i don't think i want the rag top convertible style. i use my bronco as a daily driver and we usually have a couple projects at home a couple times a month and i also use it when i work on tv commercials and from what i see the convertible style takes up some cargo area.

i like the tonneau but, i also like the way the truck looks with a top on it- when there's one on it.

so that leaves me thinking i want the regular soft top. so i'm wondering how easy it is to take off and put back on. and how easy if an install and how much drilling is involved- assuming you have to drill holes for snaps? also what type of frame does it have or is the frame built into the top? does it fold up or is it just a solid soft top?

thanks.

 

[harleydeen98258]

i just wanted to know if anyone has a "regular" soft top and what they're like. after i pulled my top off i realized it was awesome but, also realized it would be **** to put back on. my option would be to leave it off in the summer then put it back on in the winter. so that leaves me exposed here in california 8 months a year. it doesn't rain a whole lot but when it does i'd like to cover up. i don't have a garage otherwise i would use the 2x6 (or whatever it is) method with the ratcheting tie downs.

i don't think i want the rag top convertible style. i use my bronco as a daily driver and we usually have a couple projects at home a couple times a month and i also use it when i work on tv commercials and from what i see the convertible style takes up some cargo area.

i like the tonneau but, i also like the way the truck looks with a top on it- when there's one on it.

so that leaves me thinking i want the regular soft top. so i'm wondering how easy it is to take off and put back on. and how easy if an install and how much drilling is involved- assuming you have to drill holes for snaps? also what type of frame does it have or is the frame built into the top? does it fold up or is it just a solid soft top?

thanks.

Heh ****** I'm in the same boat you're in...although I live up here in western Washington, but I have been doing some research and the company I'm going to get my soft top from is www.specialtytopco.com They have a soft top that does exactly what you're wanting to do same here. I like the looks of the hard top but want one in a soft top. This one with these folks that I'm going to buy is called the Fasttrak Zipper top.

Take a look

 

[whitey]

Heh ****** I'm in the same boat you're in...although I live up here in western Washington, but I have been doing some research and the company I'm going to get my soft top from is www.specialtytopco.com They have a soft top that does exactly what you're wanting to do same here. I like the looks of the hard top but want one in a soft top. This one with these folks that I'm going to buy is called the Fasttrak Zipper top.

Take a look

yeah thats the exact one i want. i just wondered what the frame is like. it does have a frame right? is it seperate from the top or is the framework sewn into the top? or is there no frame- no it has to have some type of frame. i want to know how easy it is to remove or break down and then put back up.

 

[jjkickinhorse]

Thanks for the website for soft tops. I love cruising and trailing *******, but the top is a royal pain to put back on. Also, I drive my truck to work and if it starts raining, I really don't want the interior getting trashed.

 

[harleydeen98258]

yeah thats the exact one i want. i just wondered what the frame is like. it does have a frame right? is it seperate from the top or is the framework sewn into the top? or is there no frame- no it has to have some type of frame. i want to know how easy it is to remove or break down and then put back up.

Now this is what I got from research...this has a extruded aluminum track that bolts directly to the factory bolt hole for the hard top. The soft top then attaches to the extruded track. From what I gather the only area that you'll have permanent attach points is along the top of the tail gate and I think it is just a matter of drilling a few snaps into the metal of the gate. Therefore when you have the soft top completely up you can now unzip all three windows and roll them up, or undo the soft top from the track and if folds back similiar in fashion to an old convertible car.

 

[whitey]

this sounds nice. i think i prefer it to the ragtop style that takes up too much cargo space. thanks for the info. this is definitely on my soon to get list.