Kayline soft top

4

4runnersr5

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I just bought a super clean 87 4Runner and have decided to buy a soft top for it.I have tracked one down for 300.00 I'm not to sure what it all comes with yet but I have just recently started researching it and I'm finding you have to drill a bunch of holes.Im just wondering if anyone knoew what it really takes for it to be done right and pretty much how it all goes together.

Thank you
 
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Do you have google? Do a google image search for "Kayline 4Runner" and "4Runner soft top" and read up. I found the installation instructions online a few months ago. Unfortunately my old lap top had a crash so I can't lead you to it. You probably know Kayline is out of business. I had a brand new Kayline on my '88 4Runner from 1989-1995. I think it cost about $320 from J.C. Whitney. It required drilling a bazillion holes in the most expensive vehicle I had ever purchased up to then ($12,500!) One thing about the top is it seemed to shrink a bit after time and you would need to snap the back shut before closing the zipper and use a zipper lube on it periodically. If you look at other's pics they never seem to be able to get it snapped and zipped any more. Also, over time the side windows rub against the roll bar and get scuffed up. You can polish the scratches out with a fine metal polish such a Flitz. They also sell a window polish kits for Jeeps. I only took my Kayline off because I moved to a new house and had to get the hardtop out of my garage. When I sold the '88 the Kayline landed in the landfill. :crybaby:

I bought another 1st Gen 4Runner last year. There was a used Kayline on eBay a while back and it was bid way up over $300. It was missing the aluminum side rails with male snaps. I found lengths of L rail at Home Depot for about $12 each and was going to get snaps from a boat supply. I would pay about $150 if it were used and missing parts. I ended up getting a Softopper off eBay, brand new but $669.00. I wish I had some shots of either top but I don't.

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Thank you for your answer I'm starting to think I'm not ready to tackel this job yet and like you said I dont feel like drilling holes in my (new) truck.But I will keep researching.I asked the seller if it was complete and had all the hardware I keep reading tubing of some sort is required is that correct?.
 
Everything that Nervo said. $300 is too much unless the thing is in perfect shape. Even then, the vinyl will shrink and expand with the heat, and you'll need to do minor mods if you want to roll the sides up.

If you do decide to get it, don't drill holes in your truck, you don't need to. Drills holes in the Kayline mounting bracket instead, to match the bolt holes you've already got for your hardtop. Skip the mounting strip along the tailgate, you don't need it.

Total parts, besides the softop itself, are 4 mounting strips with snaps mounted, and two 2-piece crossbars.
 
Thank you for your response thats where imstarting to havesecond thoughts is the multiple holes I would have to drill into my truck.Thats how I thought the soft top worked was you just lineup the holes for the hard top for the mounting of the soft top.I think I'll just get everything together and try to devise a plan from there that dosent require drilling.How much should I pay for a completekayline soft top?
 
4runnersr5 said:
Thank you for your response thats where imstarting to havesecond thoughts is the multiple holes I would have to drill into my truck.Thats how I thought the soft top worked was you just lineup the holes for the hard top for the mounting of the soft top.I think I'll just get everything together and try to devise a plan from there that dosent require drilling.How much should I pay for a completekayline soft top?
Click to expand...

I paid $100 for mine, and I wouldn't go much over that, if at all. It kicks ass over the hardtop, but I'll be upgrading to a SoftTopper or Canback sooner or later, if I don't end up making a better one from scratch.

If you snag one, send me a PM and I'll get you pics of how mine is mounted.
 
4Crawler sells a kit that lets you bolt the Kayline into the original bolt holes. Thus, no drilling.

Toyota 4Runner Soft Top Options

You should nose around his site a little. I bought the seat riser kit from him a couple of weeks ago and it came from west coast to VA in a day and a half with standard shipping.

If you don't feel you'll be buying a new top in the future I would try to pay $200 for the top you are looking at.
 
I think I have come across this site before.I think I need to see how it all works so I know how and where I need to do fabrication.For now I think I'm back to researching hahah.Thank you all for your input it saved me some time and money and possiably a huge pain in the ass.Thanks again
 
Can't get my topper off!

yeah I know you could make a stupid joke out of that. But here's the problem. I took off all the boats all the way around, including the ones on the top. And this thing still won't budge. Anybody have an idea of what I'm doing wrong?
 
platonicbomb said:
yeah I know you could make a stupid joke out of that. But here's the problem. I took off all the boats all the way around, including the ones on the top. And this thing still won't budge. Anybody have an idea of what I'm doing wrong?
Click to expand...

Are you talking about removing your hard top?
All the bolts, even the covered ones on the cab.
Then stand in the bed and lift it up with your back against the top.
It weighs about 175 lbs and has probably never been off so the gaskets are stuck.
 
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