Removing Top / Soft Topper

[Griswald]

Hello everyone!

I'm new here. Buying my first '89 4runner this week. Very excited. The seller, who has had it for 15 years has never taken the top off. (half the reason I'm buying it is b/c I CAN take the top off - LOL) He said that he never wanted to take it off b/c it could lead to issues with the seal...and when you put it back on - water leaks, etc...So anyone have issues with the seal(s)? If so, is there an easy fix, or measures one can take to ensure it doesn't start leaking once the top goes back on.

I'm thinking of installing a soft top for the rest of the summer and putting the hard top back on in the fall.

 

[lofreqjeff]

I have an 89 4Runner also and bought it from the original owner also never took the top off - 14 years with the top on. When I first got it, I was back and forth with the top on/off all the time and I never had any issues with it leaking. I have heard a time or 2 of people having a small leak though. BUT, I live in Arizona and when it rains it doesn't rain for too long most of the time. At one point, I had the top off for a few years and stored in the garage. When I decided to put it back on, still no leaks.

I got a softtopper a few years ago and I love it! kinda pricy because I got it with the tinted windows and the additional rear screen but worth every penny to me. I generally keep the truck in the garage but the softtopper looks just as good today as it did when I first got it. There is a little wear on the inside of the windows where the supports touch it, but thats going to happen, no way around that. I was a little skeptical of the plastic latches for rolling it up because prior to the softtopper, I had a Downey Bikini top and the plastic latches on that got very brittle after a few Arizona summers; but the softtopper has held up amazingly well. The sunbrella material is extremely durable too - I find myself going through tight brush regularly and it has been great - no holes, scratches or anything.... I am beyond impressed with it. It works perfectly for the way I use my truck.









when camping, I take a lot of stuff, the softtopper makes packing/unpacking very easy - just unsnap it and flop the sides up on the top:

 

[Griswald]

THAT's a FINE lookin rig! What's the advantage of the screen back on the soft topper? I noticed that option and not sure if I need it? So is it like a screen door like material? Is it in addition to the plastic back window, or in place of? Sorry, having a hard time picturing it.

thanks!

 

[lofreqjeff]

THAT's a FINE lookin rig! What's the advantage of the screen back on the soft topper? I noticed that option and not sure if I need it? So is it like a screen door like material? Is it in addition to the plastic back window, or in place of? Sorry, having a hard time picturing it.

thanks!

Thank you! I love my 4Runner!

Occasionally I sleep in the back, so the screen is just as you'd expect: its the same as the plastic back window, but screen material; keeps the bugs out and lets the fresh air in We even made some magnetic screens for the doors too so we can leave the windows down when we use the truck as a tent - similar to this:

I can't find a good pic of mine, but this is from Softtoppers website:

 

[Griswald]

OK, that makes sense. I'll probably stick with the tinted plastic to keep in cool air (totally rebuilt A/C) and keep rain and elements out.

thanks!

 

[lofreqjeff]

OK, that makes sense. I'll probably stick with the tinted plastic to keep in cool air (totally rebuilt A/C) and keep rain and elements out.

thanks!

The rear window is interchangeable with the super heavy duty velcro. I typically leave the solid window on when its hot/cold out to keep heat/AC in then put the screen on when sleeping in the truck. Then when its windows-down weather, I'll put the screen on to let the air flow and keep crap and prying eyes out. But really, if I didn't use the truck as a tent so often, I probably wouldn't have spent the $80 on the screen.

 

[shawski]

Do you get exhaust fumes in the cab when the screen is being used? I have the hardtop on my '87 and I can't drive with the window down cause I get fumes coming in...

 

[lofreqjeff]

Do you get exhaust fumes in the cab when the screen is being used? I have the hardtop on my '87 and I can't drive with the window down cause I get fumes coming in...

I don't because when I redid the exhaust we tucked the pipe up close to the bumper and just behind the drivers tire



Plus I have the windows down 99% of the time too so that keeps a steady airflow through the cab

I have seen people put the tailgate wing thing from a 2nd gen 4Runner on the factory hard top to keep the fumes out.

 

[mikesmith140]

I've had my '86 4R for about 3 years. I take the top off every summer, then back on for the winter. Never had a leak. I always make sure the truck rails are clean and the rubber trim for the top is clean (wiped off) just before I re-install the top.

 

[flagbasher]

My 4Runner never had the top off. I bought a Harken hoist for my garage ceiling to pull the top and store it.

I put on a Softopper. It doesn't leak. I left mine on for the winter. Snow and all.

 

[BOSS4x4]

We take our hard top off every summer and put a Can-Back on (natural AC!), and never noticed any leaks when we put it back on.

I like the rear window screen on the Softoppers that was posted too!

 

[rusty904]

Love my softopper. Install was pretty easy even though the instructions for mine were pretty outdated as they had changed the design of some of the parts.

I do wish there was some way to replace the windows without replacing all of the canvas. My tinted windows scratch sooooo easily. I had lots of scatches within a few days of install and had no idea where they came from.

 

[sam24th]

I too have a soft-topper that I bought for my 4runner. I also made a custom rack for my bike and kayak. I take the hard top off every year after winter and put the soft top on and then switch it back in late fall. Never had a leak. Previous owner never removed the hard top either.

 

[lofreqjeff]

I too have a soft-topper that I bought for my 4runner. I also made a custom rack for my bike and kayak. I take the hard top off every year after winter and put the soft top on and then switch it back in late fall. Never had a leak. Previous owner never removed the hard top either.

I've been thinking about making an over the softtopper rack thing like that for a while now. How much weight do you think it can handle? I just want to use it for little things like camping gear and such plus a few lights on all 4 sides. I wasn't sure if making one like that would be able to hold 200-300 lbs. I was thinking about going from the sliders and rear bumper up and over, then some bracing above the softtopper. I like that bike rack idea too, i was going to add some little bars on the side to attach the hi-lift, shovel/axe, some Rotopax and whatnot.

 

[sam24th]

I've been thinking about making an over the softtopper rack thing like that for a while now. How much weight do you think it can handle? I just want to use it for little things like camping gear and such plus a few lights on all 4 sides. I wasn't sure if making one like that would be able to hold 200-300 lbs. I was thinking about going from the sliders and rear bumper up and over, then some bracing above the softtopper. I like that bike rack idea too, i was going to add some little bars on the side to attach the hi-lift, shovel/axe, some Rotopax and whatnot.

The rack will handle 200 lbs without a problem. Most Ive had it loaded up was a kayak (50lbs), 2 mountain bikes one on each side of the rails (~35 lbs each). A small cooler up top with ice and beer (50lbs), high lift (40lbs), 5 fishing rods (~10lbs total), and a shovel (10lbs). I would have felt comfortable putting a bit more up there, but didn't need to. Now keep in mind, putting all that shit up there makes the truck pretty damn top heavy. We were going out to the beach so I didnt worry about tipping it too much.

 

[lofreqjeff]

200lbs would be plenty enough. I wouldnt do much wheelin with stuff up there. It just needs to be there to get to and from camping spots; unload, set up then hit the trails.

What is it made out of? Any idea how much it all weighs?

 

[sam24th]

200lbs would be plenty enough. I wouldnt do much wheelin with stuff up there. It just needs to be there to get to and from camping spots; unload, set up then hit the trails.

What is it made out of? Any idea how much it all weighs?

Most of the tubing is 3/4 steel tubing. All together it weighs maybe 75lbs or so. I can pick the whole thing up off the truck myself without any issues other than it being a bit awkward.