Soft Top

[85RedRunner]

I'm constantly flipping a coin, trying to make a decision on whether or not to get a soft top. Doing the Rubicon in August and Im trying to prepare for rain .

KTT evidently has better quality? Definitely good customer service (ordered a bikini top).. but the con would be the frame that is basically permanent. I do some moderate wheeling also and I know theres a high chance of it being bent/broken.

Soft Topper seems like my best bet for ease of removal, etc. Just dont like the velcro vise buttons.

Anyways, what Im looking for is long term use reports. Not pictures from the day it was installed, but rather the reviews you have after years of use.



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[89FourRunner]

The Softopper doesn't have much velcro. Sides are snapped on with buttons and the tailgate has a snap in rod. The velcro on the tailgate is 100% optional, and pretty useless.

I ran a soft topper for one year. I felt like they had thought of everything. It can literally fold down in less than two minutes, the entire frame goes down and the soft top goes into its boot.It can sit like that on the tailgate or you can pull the pins that hold the bows to the frame and pick it up and off while its in its boot, clean, fast and easy. Nothing gets pinched or in the way when it is down, it was the easiest soft top I have ever dealt with. The canvas was really high quality. All the parts were high quality. Great company too, they can ship you replacement parts fast when the time comes.

I am currently running an old STC soft top and although it is nice, it is no comparison to the softopper.

Soft top options have recently been discussed on the forum, one thread is only a few days old you should check it out.

 

[sam24th]

Ive had 2 so I guess I'll chime in. I've had a old school can-back and more recently a soft topper. Honestly if I had to pick between the two Id buy a soft topper. I have no experience with KTT so I dont have an opinion of them. The soft topper really doesnt use velcro, it uses snaps and a snap in rear bar similar to jeeps. They also have them in stock and ready to ship. I got mines in about 3 days after ordering it. I like that they have the ability to fold down and be removed in minutes. I've had mines for about 3 years now and have yet to see any leaks in the top. It still looks like the day I got it basically. While I liked my can-back I would not buy another one due to the price increase. They simply cost wayy too much for what you get IMO. The only upside to the can-back I can see is that they have a frame that can support a roof rack.

 

[Recdiver]

2 X what Sam24th says.I've owned three 1st gens & I've owned my Softopper since 2010.( I gave away my hard top! )The velcro option for the tailgate i don't use/have no use for.It seals fine for me in rain/wind/beach/desert. Half the year it's convertible down; and the rest of the time it's safari or buttoned down.
I do see the CAN-BACK on the loaded rigs ( snorkel, winch, straight axle (!) etc) rigs. Mine is just a stock DD or beach / desert IFS rig! :car:

 

[85RedRunner]

Im pretty sure I was watching one of the very few videos about soft topper on youtube.. could have sworn that dude had velcro all down the sides and cab. Maybe I was drunk ..

Buddy told me a story today...said they were on the Rubicon last year, started snowing, the guy unrolled his soft top sides and the plastic windows cracked real bad.

Thats the kind of stuff I dont want to deal with lol.

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[89FourRunner]

Yeah you cant mess with the windows on any soft top in freezing temperatures. The vinyl windows turn to brittle glass. Whether it is a factory jeep one, or any brand made for any vehicle. The vinyl windows shrink and expand with heat, so when they are rolled and the temperature turns to freezing they need to flex and expand to be unrolled. Softopper warrantys the windows and canvas for 1 year at temperatures above 40 degrees F. Talk to Jeep guys who go year round with soft tops for the dos and donts in the winter. Soft tops can definately survive the winter, but they need to be left alone.

 

[DrewL]

I've only run my Softtopper for a year, but I'm very happy with it. I run it with the windows rolled up most of the time. It is lightweight and easy to take off and on.

 

[rufflz]

The canvas was really high quality. All the parts were high quality. Great company too, they can ship you replacement parts fast when the time comes.

+1 on amazing customer service. Whenever I'm in need of some type of hardware for my top (keep in mind it's 5+ years old), they're super quick to ship out said part either the same or next day w/o hesitation.

 

[Nervo19]

I don't like the lines of the KTT. It looks like a hearse in the back to me. I've had the Softopper on since Sept 2016 and it's great. They do give you two pieces of Velcro for the rear flap but most people don't put it on the 4Runner. The rear flap is long enough to seal it. I drive it on the highway all the time and it's not noisy or leaky.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Softtopper was the best mod in my opinion I did when I owned a 1st gen.
Left it on year round.

 

[Tao Zero]

I think I will be pulling the trigger on a Softtopper this summer.