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Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:36 pm
by akaFrankCastle
JGZ wrote:Let me know what you come up with .I've been a pattern and mold maker in the F.R.P industry for 25 yrs.Can offer alot of insight to what does and doesn't work.JGZ
Thanks Jay. I'm thinking a lot of playing with plywood and foam at first to get everything mocked up right. Should wind up with something modular like the old FJ40 hard tops.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:59 pm
by JGZ
Plywood probly not your best option,as it is not very stable and tends to move around alot.I use alot of mdf because it will stay where you want it .If you use foam do not use styrofoam as it will melt into a little blob of goo when coated with polyester resin.Urethane foam works awsome,but don't get it in your eyes,cause it hurts like hell.If your serious I'll help all I can.Who knows might build something really cool.Anyway i've thought about this alot over the yrs. and have some ideas also.JGZ
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:31 pm
by akaFrankCastle
JGZ wrote:Plywood probly not your best option,as it is not very stable and tends to move around alot.I use alot of mdf because it will stay where you want it .If you use foam do not use styrofoam as it will melt into a little blob of goo when coated with polyester resin.Urethane foam works awsome,but don't get it in your eyes,cause it hurts like hell.If your serious I'll help all I can.Who knows might build something really cool.Anyway i've thought about this alot over the yrs. and have some ideas also.JGZ
I wasn't really thinking of building molds. Just mocking something up to get an idea of where to go. I leave molds to the experts, such as yourself.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:22 am
by Entourage
dnewman9 - I would really like to see your top when it is installed. What color did you order?
If the BC Top lasts twice as long as the other tops then it may justify spending twice as much up front.
I showed my wife the fabric swatches from Wild Horses showing the Vinyl Diamond/Demin and the Standard Vinyl. Side by side the Diamond/Denim is definitely cool. Based on the Trail Ride from yesterday, it looks like more guys went with the Rampage/Kayline. I asked the guy at Wild Horses on Friday and he said they carry the rampage due to customer request - he definitely recommends the Bestop.
On question I have is if the Rampage and Bestop tops fold down like a convertible top on an old sportscar or do they either need to be up (installed) or down (taken off)?
I wish this wasn't so dang hard to decide
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:13 pm
by ZOSO
I haven't tried it with the new soft topbut the old kayline with the snaps used to roll up and fold down onto the tailgate. But now with the zip out windows Im not sure if i want to fold it down all the way. Keeps the sunburn off my balding head.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:33 pm
by Entourage
All of the pics I see of Broncos without the soft top have the hardware booms laying down like a convertible but no top on the booms. Makes me think that it needs to come completely off. I echo the balding head issue - damn old age.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:10 pm
by ZOSO
You can see here how the old button top used to roll up and snap in place. Used to be real easy. Un-do the windows and fold them over the top. un-do the back window and let hang. Un-hook the the top from the windshield and let it fall back on the tailgate. Start rolling the top up from the windshied side down to the tail gate. then pull the rear window up and over the rest and re snap to the tailgate.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:18 pm
by Entourage
That is sweet - looks like a boat top totally laying down. I like it.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:58 pm
by Colorado75bronc
i work on the defenders and multiple other landrovers everyday, and while they're cool trucks, they're junk, they're decent wheeling rigs but horribly unreliable and i can't even begin to tell you how many problems they have, sorry about the
, as far as tops go, there's a really nice top for the d90's that some of my customers run called "badger" im not sure if they make em for broncos, but they're similar to a can back, and are suprisingly quiet and warm for a soft top, much better than the bestops, but i know the price tag is insane on them as well
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:08 pm
by Colorado75bronc
and "hockeydad" if you want i can look you're disco over at the bumper build, i specialize in them as thats all the shop i work for does is land rovers, but just to warn you they are extremely common to have head gasket leaks, radiators, rear mains, waterpumps, transfercases needing full reseals, timing cover gaskets, and many other things, and the thermostat is on the passenger side and has three radiator hoses going to it, the lower radiator hose, the water pump feed hose, and the upper radiator hose all junction at it.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:37 am
by hockeydad4-22
Colorado75bronc wrote:and "hockeydad" if you want i can look you're disco over at the bumper build, i specialize in them as thats all the shop i work for does is land rovers, but just to warn you they are extremely common to have head gasket leaks, radiators, rear mains, waterpumps, transfercases needing full reseals, timing cover gaskets, and many other things, and the thermostat is on the passenger side and has three radiator hoses going to it, the lower radiator hose, the water pump feed hose, and the upper radiator hose all junction at it.
That sir would be awesme. Asmuch as I dislike driving it, I will have it here next saturday for certian now. Just means the 16 yr old is bringing it down. I will certianly spring for a case of your favorite beverage for your trouble, just let me know what that is and I will have it there for you.
Thanks!
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:30 am
by Entourage
Tom's is doing the Denim Rampage for $20.00 shipping so it is essentially the same price as the BesTop from Bronco Hut. I am leaning toward the BesTop right now.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:17 pm
by airbur
I picked up a Bestop from the Bronco Hut today. Melissa mentioned she only had one left in the warehouse. Also, I think she is close to closing out the deal pricing...if she hasn't already.
Re: Soft Top Options
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:59 pm
by Entourage
SWEET! Excited to hear how the install goes and see pics!