1st Gen 4Runner Soft Top Options

[Charles4x4]

I've done a lot of research on soft top options for my '87 4Runner. Here is what I came up with:

1) Killer Toy Tops - $900-$1,000 with lots of color and setup options. Rigid frame design that can hold a roof rack (wish I had a pic of one with a rack). Sides zip off and many use factory rear window.

2) Softopper - $750-850 with less options. Designed to fold down quickly but cannot support a roof rack. Sides roll up.

3) Can Back - $2,000 once/if they start making them again. Right now 4Runner is on List #2 for production and who knows if they will ever make it to us.

So, if I want a top that can support a long but low profile roof rack, KTT is the only option right? Or is it possible to find an old Can Back somehow?

Roof rack I'd like to use would something similar to the pic below band I'd want it to extend from the rear almost all the way to the front windshield like the later gen 4Runners.

(Wish there was a way to place pics inside text instead of just a grouping at the bottom...I'm new here so any help is appreciated)

 

[SomeDay]

3) Can Back - $2,000 once/if they start making them again. Right now 4Runner is on List #2 for production and who knows if they will ever make it to us.

The Camel-Back $2,000??!? I have one in the garage, it's made in the USA and the quality's excellent.

So, if I want a top that can support a long but low profile roof rack, KTT is the only option right? Or is it possible to find an old Can Back somehow?

I remember a thread where a guy used roll bar clamps to fix the roof rack on the summer top, I'm looking for that thread...

Roof rack I'd like to use would something similar to the pic below band I'd want it to extend from the rear almost all the way to the front windshield like the later gen 4Runners.

I think you'll not be able to open the sunroof of your 4R with something like that.

(Wish there was a way to place pics inside text instead of just a grouping at the bottom...I'm new here so any help is appreciated)

Upload your photos in photobucket and copy the link in your post inside text.

You can always build a roof rack like this one:

but if you don't want holes in the body of your 4R, you can extend the tubes to the sliders bars and to a custom rear bumper. Some guys in the forum were posting about that idea days ago.

Edit: it's a short conversation in a YotaTech thread:
https://www.yotatech.com/f116/1st-gen-4runner-roof-rack-cargo-racks-186924/index2.html#post52360698

 

[89FourRunner]

I have experience with two soft tops so I will chime in.

Simply put my vote is for Softopper. They are a healthy business wiyh great customer support, warranty, fast shipping and tons of parts. Break something, crack something - they can get you the part fast. I had my softtopper at my door in under five days after I ordered it.

The design is great, absolutely no drilling, you can roll up the sides or fully convert it down. The genious bow design has the forward bar attachrd to the middle of the rear bar, so when you unsnap the top and go to make the 4runner a convertable, the entire frame folds back on itself, taking the canvas with it. Once you get the hang of it you can take the soft top down in two minutes tops.

Softtopper has perfected tbe design for sure, worth every penny.

Canback is great, but it cannot fold down on the fly, just roll up. Plus no company support. 2k for a top that is getting long in the tooth with no company to back it?

Killer Toy Tops many people love, the guy runs a one man show and he can customize the top however you want. I cannot speak out for or againts him. I considefrd him but the order time was way way too long for me.

I am currently using an STC soft top, ehich is long out of business. This is the predecessor to the softtopper, and requires drilling, but functions much like the soft topper. I got it for $200.

Long story short - Softopper is the way to go IMO. Fast service, warranty, quick replacment parts, great quality, super fast ans easy to operate.

As far as a roof rack is concerned, you could mount the front to the cab roof, ans then build or have made side mounted rails that support the rear without bothering the soft top. Its been done - using the hard top existing mounting bolts

 

[Charles4x4]

The Camel-Back $2,000??!? I have one in the garage, it's made in the USA and the quality's excellent.

I think you'll not be able to open the sunroof of your 4R with something like

Want to sell me your Can-Back?

And surprisingly my SR5 doesn't have a sunroof.

 

[SomeDay]

Want to sell me your Can-Back?

And surprisingly my SR5 doesn't have a sunroof.

Honestly, I don't think I'm going to use my summer roof a lot, but I'd like to give it a try, use it a couple of times. I can't do it now because I'm restoring my 4R, it needs some love.
Anyway, trust me, you don't want mine, I live in Europe, the delivery'll cost you a little fortune for something with that size.
To help you decide what to buy, I can show you a few photos of mine the day I bought it home (with the 4 extra wheels you can see in the photos... oh, I forgot, a Toyota 4Runner was included also :dance: ):
Summer Roof by FGEC | Photobucket
It's in the garage now, clean and waiting.
What I can tell, that summer roof's very strong stuff.

 

[Charles4x4]

The Camel-Back $2,000??!? I have one in the garage, it's made in the USA and the quality's excellent.


I remember a thread where a guy used roll bar clamps to fix the roof rack on the summer top, I'm looking for that thread...


I think you'll not be able to open the sunroof of your 4R with something like that.


Upload your photos in photobucket and copy the link in your post inside text.

You can always build a roof rack like this one:

but if you don't want holes in the body of your 4R, you can extend the tubes to the sliders bars and to a custom rear bumper. Some guys in the forum were posting about that idea days ago.

Edit: it's a short conversation in a YotaTech thread:
https://www.yotatech.com/f116/1st-gen-4runner-roof-rack-cargo-racks-186924/index2.html#post52360698

Thanks. Unfortunately I'll be doing an internal cage and need the soft top to fit around it along with the hard top.

 

[Charles4x4]

Honestly, I don't think I'm going to use my summer roof a lot, but I'd like to give it a try, use it a couple of times. I can't do it now because I'm restoring my 4R, it needs some love.
Anyway, trust me, you don't want mine, I live in Europe, the delivery'll cost you a little fortune for something with that size.
To help you decide what to buy, I can show you a few photos of mine the day I bought it home (with the 4 extra wheels you can see in the photos... oh, I forgot, a Toyota 4Runner was included also :dance: ):
Summer Roof by FGEC | Photobucket
It's in the garage now, clean and waiting.
What I can tell, that summer roof's very strong stuff.

Yeah, I'll avoid European shipping costs! I'll keep checking EBay and other sites for a few weeks.

 

[SomeDay]

Yeah, I'll avoid European shipping costs! I'll keep checking EBay and other sites for a few weeks.

I think you can find one for around $400, that's what I saw in a couple of posts time ago, you'll find one.

Upload photos when you get the roof rack installed in your summer roof.

 

[Charles4x4]

I think you can find one for around $400, that's what I saw in a couple of posts time ago, you'll find one.

Upload photos when you get the roof rack installed in your summer roof.

How do I find a used one for around $400? Put a Wanted post here? Or search Rbaynor another forum? If I can find a used one in decent shape for $400-500, I'll buy it today.

Ideas?

 

[sam24th]

Ive had a can-back for my toyota pickup as well as a softtopper for the 4runner. In my opinion, the softtopper is the way to go. The company support is awesome and I have never had issues with the top. I also like the ability to easily fold it down. I did want a roofrack for mines so I made a rack that went around the top to mount my bike and kayak. Heres a recent pic of it with my bike on the side.

 

[SomeDay]

Heres a recent pic of it with my bike on the side.]

I like a lot what you did with your rack and bike mounting.
I don't know if it's legal to transport stuff in the side of the truck here where I live, I have to check that.

 

[89FourRunner]

Ive had a can-back for my toyota pickup as well as a softtopper for the 4runner. In my opinion, the softtopper is the way to go. The company support is awesome and I have never had issues with the top. I also like the ability to easily fold it down. I did want a roofrack for mines so I made a rack that went around the top to mount my bike and kayak. Heres a recent pic of it with my bike on the side.

This is exactly what I meant and was referring to. Good advice too.

 

[SomeDay]

And you can add extra protection for expedition trips during summer months, like this guy did:



It looks like the Cam-back, but I can't tell for sure.

 

[twinkybuns]

Ive had a can-back for my toyota pickup as well as a softtopper for the 4runner. In my opinion, the softtopper is the way to go. The company support is awesome and I have never had issues with the top. I also like the ability to easily fold it down. I did want a roofrack for mines so I made a rack that went around the top to mount my bike and kayak. Heres a recent pic of it with my bike on the side.

I've been looking for ideas for a roof rack without having to drill into the fiberglass top. Yours looks great! How is it mounted? Are the bars that go down the sides of the shell mounted into the body panels, or sitting on the rail where the fiberglass shell and the metal meet?

 

[Charles4x4]

And you can add extra protection for expedition trips during summer months, like this guy did:



It looks like the Cam-back, but I can't tell for sure.

Looks like a Can-Back to me too.

 

[Charles4x4]

Ive had a can-back for my toyota pickup as well as a softtopper for the 4runner. In my opinion, the softtopper is the way to go. The company support is awesome and I have never had issues with the top. I also like the ability to easily fold it down. I did want a roofrack for mines so I made a rack that went around the top to mount my bike and kayak. Heres a recent pic of it with my bike on the side.

Love the rack and bike mount. Genius!

 

[sam24th]

I've been looking for ideas for a roof rack without having to drill into the fiberglass top. Yours looks great! How is it mounted? Are the bars that go down the sides of the shell mounted into the body panels, or sitting on the rail where the fiberglass shell and the metal meet?

It mounts to the rails and uses the factory hardtop bolt locations. Im basically sandwiching the rack mounts between the soft top mounts and body rail. If you wanted to do it on a hardtop, I dont think the cab section would seal correctly since it would add a bit of a gap. Ive thought about making a separate rack or modifying this one to run on a hardtop or soft top but just never got around to doing it.

 

[javendan]

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i like that.

back in the day, i remember softtoper having something similar and i think this is it...

Passenger Side Bedrail Bike Rack - Accessories & Parts

it's being discontinued and only the passenger version is available. i don't know if they will fit a 1st gen, though?

this was something i wanted, too, but didn't move forward so i don't know if they offer it for the 1st gen but there is a form you can submit...

US Truck Cap Rack - Accessories & Parts

joel

 

[twinkybuns]

It mounts to the rails and uses the factory hardtop bolt locations. Im basically sandwiching the rack mounts between the soft top mounts and body rail. If you wanted to do it on a hardtop, I dont think the cab section would seal correctly since it would add a bit of a gap. Ive thought about making a separate rack or modifying this one to run on a hardtop or soft top but just never got around to doing it.

Ah, ok, thanks for the info. I'm looking to make something compatible for my hardtop, and it would have to be easily removable so I can take the shell off in the summer, and still mount a roof-top tent.