Softopper Soft Top guys, I have a question about removing the middle support and letting it rest on the cage...

[folkenheath]

So I just installed the soft top on the 91 K5, and I am wondering if there is any reason I can't just remove the middle support rod, and build the cage so it supports the soft top. This would allow me to keep the cage at max height for head clearance. It would also stop the middle support from rubbing on the window.

I think I could make the cage bar about 3-4 inches behind where the middle support would of been, but I can also run an x brace up to the B piller hoop that it could rest on.

I plan to start the main hoop tomorrow and I am wondering in there is anything I am missing on that?

Pros:

- more head clearance for rear seat
- middle rod won't rub on window
- can add an x-brace without going below that rod
- don't need the straps hanging down
- more clearance to swing the rear rod down.
-can put a slight arc with the tubing rolller.

Cons:
- can't put the hard top back on (I don't really care)
- cant adjust the tension with the middle rod straps (but I could add padding between the cage and canopy if I need to tighten it)
- can I fold it back down and put it in the cover with only the rear rod?


Anything I am missing for you guy that have had the softtopper for a while?

Most of the time the softopper will probably be either in safari mode, or all sealed up, I doubt the wife will want to be in the direct sun without the shade.

I am referring to the rod that goes forward at an angle. I could always put it back on, its just one screw and it slide off, but if I build the cage without it that would be very time consuming to fix.

I should of taken the plastic off the seat for the picture, had it covered so I didn't get it dirty while I was working on it.

 

[folkenheath]

In no particular order I searched for people with softtoppers and put them down in the order I found them, and am looking for your input here,

If I didn't find you in my 5 min search I apologize, I just looked at the most recent posts, still appreciate your input.

@muddybuddy
@K5Devil
@K85 Octane
@cheavyk10
@ashman
@Stephen
@HankScorpio
@nvrenuf

 

[K85 Octane]

Yeah, only concern I have is the tension like you mentioned. The triangle of bars are pulled down to the bedrail subsequently lifting up on that center bar. The straps between the bars are for setting tension AND height to get the look right.

Yes, that center bar ruins the window and I like the idea of stopping that. I like working the cage in to remove that bar. Is it possible to try your idea with temporary stuff so you can go back? Drive it down the highway, hate it and put the triangle back? That kinda thing...

 

[onetonbb74]

I left mine in and the cage is under it. I don't see why you cant have the top rest on the cage. Just have to set it where you want it...



pic of my sleeper in the back is all I can find...

 

[folkenheath]

How often do you guys adjust the tension on the center bar once it's wore/stretched in? Is this something where if I make it tight when new and then maybe add some paddingn once after it stretches to keep it taught that it should be good to go? Or you have to fiddle with it as often as the weather changes? I could still adjust the rear bar, just not the middle one as easy.

Yeah, only concern I have is the tension like you mentioned. The triangle of bars are pulled down to the bedrail subsequently lifting up on that center bar. The straps between the bars are for setting tension AND height to get the look right.

Yes, that center bar ruins the window and I like the idea of stopping that. I like working the cage in to remove that bar. Is it possible to try your idea with temporary stuff so you can go back? Drive it down the highway, hate it and put the triangle back? That kinda thing...

The bar is easy to put back, but the cage not so much. I suppose if I made the bottom portion of the bars all straight up for a bit, I could theoretically just cut them off and reweld a couple inches shorter, that would not be too bad but I may need to raise the harness bars up then.

I'll take some more measurements today to see if I still think it can work.

The current plan would be to make a rear hoop that angles back, so the top and bends contact the canopy just like the center rod did, but a few inches back further so its behind the rear passengers heads. Then run parallel bars to connect the two and then an X brace in the top and an angle brace on each side.

I left mine in and the cage is under it. I don't see why you cant have the top rest on the cage. Just have to set it where you want it...

Thank you, that's what I am leaning toward, just looking for more feedback since I just put it on and have never had a softopper before so I don't have any real world experience with using it. Keeping the bar further away from the kids' heads is appealing.