What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Custom soft top (Am I crazy)

sponsoredbydad

sponsoredbydad

Dune Slaying Sand Junkie
- In Memoriam -
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Posts
2,647
Reaction score
1,043
Location
Dana Point "So Cal" "The sue me state"
Got a quote from a local canvas shop today for a custom soft top. Basically they want about $2000. Am I crazy for even thinking this is a option. I really don't like my hard top.
 
Look around for a better price, I had a full top with windows on back and sides and a safari top built for about $1100.00 and they were custom formed for my cage which is taller and doesn't allow the hard top to fit.

I used an upholstery shop.
 
For thatmuch you could just buy the softopper from ord? You'd think the whole point of going local made was to get a better price?
 
sponsoredbydad said:
Got a quote from a local canvas shop today for a custom soft top. Basically they want about $2000. Am I crazy for even thinking this is a option. I really don't like my hard top.
Click to expand...
I have one of the older style soft tops (can't remember the maker right now...besttop? ), and since they aren't made anymore, and I liked the style, I looked into getting it made local.
I went to a boat shop and they sent me to an awning manufacturer. got a bid of about $900.00 but that was using my existing hardware.

if you're just stretching it over a roll cage, I'd bet you could get a similar deal, or less.
 
Yea this is one of the local boat shops. I too had the Best Top Mfg top and liked the style /shape of it. For the price I will probably go with the soft topper. I almost had a small heart attack when he said $2000. I was prepared to go up to $1200 for a custom from a local business.
 
I'm not surprised.... considering isenglass enclosures on boats can EASILY run 5, 6 g's...

boat canvas guys are kinda funny usually.. it's such a racket.. they're all expensive as he!!, and usually take forever.. I've certainly seen my share of sketchy guys over the years.. that being said, we have a couple guys that do work for us in my marina that do AMAZING work...

I'd bet the farm that their job would come out WAY better than ANY auto upholstery shop could do...
 
sponsoredbydad said:
Yea this is one of the local boat shops. I too had the Best Top Mfg top and liked the style /shape of it. For the price I will probably go with the soft topper. I almost had a small heart attack when he said $2000. I was prepared to go up to $1200 for a custom from a local business.
Click to expand...
do you still have all the hardware for the besttop? if so, you might be able to get a better deal having them just stretch a new top over it.

also, depending on how soon you plan on pulling the trigger, I might be able to help out if you don't have the hardware. I've got 2 of the tops and maybe we could work something out on the 2nd set of hardware.
 
Yes I do still have the old hardware and it's on the truck with the old wasted top. I thought they could use it for a pattern but he said it would just be easier to have the truck on hand and make it from scratch. Their work that I saw at the shop looked killer. The material is a boat quality canvas with a vinyl under coating(Totally water proof). They would also pocket the rails in the roof to keep it from flapping along with reinforcing it due to pressure wear from the roof bars and also in the rear upper corners, use larger Velcro like 2" instead of the 1/2 width stuff where needed, and could make the windows removable if I wanted. Total job time aproxx 1 week
 
actually sounds pretty slick. I'd love to be able to remove windows, or zip off the sides rather than roll them up, along with the other improvements you mention.
as dumb as it sounds, I'd be tempted. :D if you pull the trigger, I want pics.
 
NorCal69 said:
Agreed..



Just looked at the ORD Softopper for the first gens, $838.00. Is there something wrong with that one, that anybody knows about?
Click to expand...

I don't think anything is wrong with the softopper Just thought with some input it could be a wee bit less generic. There were some small issues I had with my old one due to the one size fits all thing.
 
If you have the money and it's what you want, pull the trigger. Not like these rigs are a sound financial investment to begin with.
 
no one really answered your question.

YES you are crazy.

Just like everyone else on this board :haha::haha::waytogo:
 
sponsoredbydad said:
Got a quote from a local canvas shop today for a custom soft top. Basically they want about $2000. Am I crazy for even thinking this is a option. I really don't like my hard top.
Click to expand...

I bought a soft top for my '72 from a company in Boulder, CO.
softopper.com

Cost me $838.00 and I've been pretty happy with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom