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Intrested in soft tops for K5's? looking into Manufacturing them. update post 118

rdn2blazer

rdn2blazer

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Checking intrest for soft tops for K5's. Getting quotes for material, tubing for Bows, bracketry, packaging and what not. Trying to find out if its worth the venture. It will be a replica of a STC top basically except heavier duty Bows, better mounting brackets. Possibly two options for mounting brackets, Nylon plastic, for a cost savings and Stainless Steel mounting hardware would be a bit more ofcourse. If I can improve on their design I will.

Also as far as material, I got a quote for the same factory material as a Jeep Rubicon uses. Yea, or ney on this material? I think its tough material, It works on Jeeps. I have priced tubing for the Bows aswell. Specialty Top Company used 3/4 EMT Tube. I will to use 1" tube so its a little more stiff to wind buffeting. Cost has yet to be determined. Still need more info. This is very early in the getting off the ground stage, I need and want openions. Post up please.
 
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There are lots of people out there that *want* one but when they see that it will probably cost around $1k many will change their minds.

The material used for TJ soft tops is very good. Those are top notch tops and cost nearly $1500, I have a feeling that the canvas (or whatever material it is) and the windows are expensive pieces.

My .02 ;)
 
Its something I want to give a good shot at doing. If I can do it and its worth my time and money and can actually sell at a reasonable price Im going to give it a go. If I have to sell them at a grand and noone can afford it, then it aint worth doing. We will see.........Thanks guys for the feed back.
 
Well my K5 is for sale, but if it wasnt, Id be line for a soft top. Im thinking of the weight savings mainly and nice to go 1/2 'vert.
 
From the different threads that have run on Colorado K5, I would say you have a large demographic of interest.

My .02 would be to think through ALL the selling points...

Weight loss of top is cost savings...maybe even work out average weight savings / tests and post for those numbers folks .....return on investment from gas savings may be sooner than people think

Accessibility to tools, loading, etc easier on the trail

Cooler temps when wheelin' - sun coverage instead of no top, don't get caught in a surprise rain storm, keep dust down....

Storage of soft top vs. hard top

that's all I can think of for now.

Good luck in your business endeavor !
 
depending on price id be interested. its a want not a necessity, but for a decent price id be interested
 
The sewing and manufacturing of the top will make or break this. I know I will have to do quantity to make it affordable. I dont want to have to manufacture anything but the Bows. There easy. The mounting hardware as explained before will be a "stock" item, not a custom machined piece, easly replacable if necessary. Something I can get a good price in bulk on.

I have to make a call Monday about getting the top made, its going to be a few weeks to get this figured out I think, but Im going to keep working on it till I know one way or the other wether its a go or no go. I will keep you all posted. so far Im pretty excited about it.
 
Gonna be honest.

Do I want one? YES

What can I spend on one? well give me 3 years and I can come up with the $1k if all goes right:o

However If I could get my hands on a set of drawings for the bows and a pattern for the canvas I would fork over a little money and do it myself. I have access to an industrial sewing machine and more EMT than you know what to do with.

Good luck and keep us updated cause for the right price who knows.
 
I think 90% of the members on this site are potential customers... at the right price...

Times are tough, most people want a soft top, but takes a while for them to make it to the top of the priority list. Good quality tops at a affordable price should sell well. I'd buy one, when I have the money. :doah:
 
I think ORD had the BEST TOP for full vert listed at $795.00, but ofcourse they dont offer them now. Im hoping to come in under that just so I can say Im cheaper then what they used to be offered at, thats my goal. It may not be much, I really have no idea just yet. The quote on the manufacturing of the top is the deal maker or breaker. At $795 thats not as bad as some tops run now for some rigs. But I want to beat it by a decent margin. Im wont do it if I cant make a profit though.
 
I would be very interested in a soft top depending on the final price and how soon they would be available. Right now i just don't have that kind of cash but under $800.00 for a quality top is not an issue for most people i don't think.
 
4X4HIGH said:
I would be very interested in a soft top depending on the final price and how soon they would be available. Right now i just don't have that kind of cash but under $800.00 for a quality top is not an issue for most people i don't think.
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It wont happen right away, but its work in progress. I would love to find out I can have the tops made for a good price, Have atleast a half doz. to a dozen made, get them shipped to me. Get them completely packaged up after all the bows are made and hardware ready to go. Then suprise everyone here with ready to ship tops. I would post pics ofcourse of the finished tops and all the improovments over the old STC tops that were made. That would be AWESOME. Thats the goal.
 
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While I have no need or use for a top, I do feel the 69-72 market is a strong one and one with deeper pockets since they command a higher dollar.

For the 76-91 crowd, I feel a truck conversion piece of the material from a soft top would be useful, either one that simply acts as a wall from the floor up, or one that also acts like a tonahue "sp" cover for the bed/cargo area since the seats do fold down on many years.

another idea would be to offer a a rear window like piece ready to install and then plans or instructions for people to build a removable steel piece.
 
As I look at the replies and my situation, it seems that almost everyone would like a soft top, but the price is going to be a determining fact (like it always is) as to whether anyone gets one or not. If you can keep it around $800, IMO you'd be able to do a lot of business - I'd be interested. $1500...no way I can justify it when I need so much else.
 
I'd like to make a suggestion on them if you start this up.

Try and make it so you dont have to collapse the top to drop the tailgate like you do on the STC.
 
Col_Sanders said:
I'd like to make a suggestion on them if you start this up.

Try and make it so you dont have to collapse the top to drop the tailgate like you do on the STC.
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Thank you for the suggestion. I have not installed the STC top yet so I was unaware of that. I would deffenately try to solve that issue. Without seeing it I would imagine it was so there was some overhang over the tail gate to keep water out. I would want some overhang for the same reason, but maybe be able to just unzip/unhook/unlatch the back pannel to drop the gate. I will check it out.
 
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