Soft Topper Thoughts, ETA when ordering, durability?

[89FourRunner]

I am wondering for those of you who have a soft topper brand soft top how well they have held up? I am on the fence about ordering one.

I wanted one for an approaching trip I am taking, what was the ETA from ordering to your door? Is it days or months?

Also, how has it held up in the long term?

 

[crash813]

Not sure about longevity, but as far as toughness.... I rolled mine when the soft top was on, all the way over. Once we got it back up, soft top was fine. Nothing broke or tore.

 

[sam24th]

I have one on my 4Runner and it works great. Idk about longevity since I only had it for a year but so far it's great. I got mines about 5 days after I ordered it. I'm pretty sure soft topper keeps them in stock and it isn't a made to order type of deal.

 

[89FourRunner]

Awesome info thanks guys.

How does the retracting and folding up work? Will I be able to have the soft top conpletely covering the bed, and then on the fly without tools be able to acordian it down and zip it up to have the top off? (and the topper zipped up in the pouch)?

 

[sam24th]

Awesome info thanks guys.

How does the retracting and folding up work? Will I be able to have the soft top conpletely covering the bed, and then on the fly without tools be able to acordian it down and zip it up to have the top off? (and the topper zipped up in the pouch)?

Definitely dont need any tools to put the top down. I usually just roll up the sides though since I like to have some shade cover in the back kinda like a bikini top. To fold the top down, you unbotton all the snap buttons, fold the sides of the top over, and then just kinda let the frame fold onto itself. I usually then use lil pouch they give you and cover it sorta like a convertible rear. Its quite easy once you do it a few times.

Heres a pic of it folded down when I had it int he garage taking the bodylift off:


Rears sides folded up:


Custom rack I made for it with sides folded up:

 

[89FourRunner]

Damn that looks great. Good to hear. I think I am going to bite the bullet. I am just afraid of the old murphy law....buy a new soft top for an old truck...spend 900 bucks, two days later you need an engine hahaha.

 

[89FourRunner]

The big question is do I go with Tan or Black?

I know most people with silver (my runner is silver) go with black - but I googled some wrangler pics of tan soft tops with silver paint jobs and it looks pretty good.

I like the idea of the tan.

Opinions?

 

[ajohnson]

I have had my softopper for almost 4 years with no problems. It has been slammed against a few trees with no damage. It is one of my favorite upgrades. I recently bought another one for my '07 Tacoma .

 

[89FourRunner]

I checked out your pics sam24th and ajohnson it looks great.

I spend so much time taking the hardtop off and on in the warmer months I think it is worth the investment. I always need to find a buddy, plan to take it off plan to put it back on watch the weather etc etc. It is a pain in the @$$.

Think I am taking the plunge! Wish they were cheaper!

 

[ajohnson]

They are expensive, but very good quality and absolutely worth the investment IMO. I like to take mine off for wheeling or just cruising around when I can, only takes a few minutes to fold down or remove completely.

Let it warm up in the sun before setting it up, it is very tight when cold especially when it is new.

 

[89yodaruner]

Ive had mine for a year and its awesome, only gripe is when the temperature starts dropping for the season change, the material becomes very hard to work with. But as everyone has stated very durable, get the tinted version IMO well worth it, i personally dont like people being able to see in my vehicles.

 

[89FourRunner]

It is on its way!

I sent them an email and they answered immediately. They shipped the item same day, and the ETA is very soon.

That was the deciding factor.

I sent an email to a competitor (who will not be named) two weeks ago and never got an email back or anything - yet that competitor has posted on instagram several times lol.

Anyway - I am glad to hear everyone loves it - it seems awesome to be able to roll up the sides, but the full retraction in just a few minutes is what has me sold.

 

[TOY2G]

Not sure about longevity, but as far as toughness.... I rolled mine when the soft top was on, all the way over. Once we got it back up, soft top was fine. Nothing broke or tore.

That looks like Gilmer with all that red dirt. Did you rebuild the Runner?

 

[crash813]

That looks like Gilmer with all that red dirt. Did you rebuild the Runner?

Yup Gilmer. F*****n red dirt has been falling in my face for 6 months now. She's getting close to done now though. Takes a little longer when you spend as much time upgrading things as fixing things! You can see pics near the end of my build thread. Link in my sig.

 

[89FourRunner]

I got it all installed today.

Quick questions - 1. can I use the factory glass window with this soft top?
2. How to I completely fold this thing down and zip it up in the pouch? Do I have to completely unsnapp it from the cab and the sides, but leave it stapped to the rear support bar?
Here are a few quick crappy pics:

 

[grumpin]

Good job! Looks nice. Thanks for the pics.

 

[89FourRunner]

Thanks. It was very easy. A lot of it was common sense but the instructions are so well written compared to other aftermarket products in the industry that I felt like anyone could do it.

It is the little things that impress me. Besides the build quality being pretty amazing, I was impressed that they included things like a new set of bolts for the truck for a soft/hard top. I know that it is only about a $10 value, but it is a nice touch to include that. They really do include every little thing you may need.

It was 45 degrees when I installed it, but I was still able to install everything despite the canvas being stiff. The instructions stated to snap what you can, and keep tightening the rear support bar straps as you go, which I did, and it worked like a charm.

I am still a little confused about how I completely recline the top - I may be overthinking it. I think one just unsnaps all the snaps except for the ones on the rear support bar, and then just throw the sides up and lay them on the top canopy, then just let the support collapse backwards and then roll/fold up the canopy and zip it into the supplied cover?

 

[ajohnson]

For folding it back, you got it. I completely unsnap the sides and flip them up, then unsnap the front from the cab, and fold/roll it up as I lay it back. Another thing I do is pull the pole out of the rear window when I roll it up, and store the pole between the rear seat and bedside. If the window is not rolled tight, the pole can slide out while driving. I almost lost mine one day lol.

 

[sam24th]

For folding it back, you got it. I completely unsnap the sides and flip them up, then unsnap the front from the cab, and fold/roll it up as I lay it back. Another thing I do is pull the pole out of the rear window when I roll it up, and store the pole between the rear seat and bedside. If the window is not rolled tight, the pole can slide out while driving. I almost lost mine one day lol.

THIS^^^

I second pulling the pole out of the rear window or securing it with a couple small self tappers. He warned me when I first got mines, and sure enough I about lost it while taking a turn one day. I took two tiny self tapping screws from work and stuck them in the pole to prevent it from sliding out, and it works great.

BTW you cannot use the factory rear glass with the soft top. I dont know if you have ever tried to roll the window up without the hardtop on, but its flimsy as hell and rocks back and forth without a support. I guess you could make a support frame fairly easily but too much work for me. I prefer the soft window.

 

[89FourRunner]

Okay thanks for the tips, remove the poll - noted.