Building custom soft top for the LJ

[squint]

Awesomeness! Sorry to hear about the CV failure but Jeeps happen. Make sure whoever replaces it uses quality parts as the cheapies will wear fast.
On a side note and back towards the topic. Did you ever think of adding velcro strips inside the top so you could affix some insulation panels? Seems like it would be a great way to keep some of the heat/cold and road noise even a little lower. Just whip up some and stick em to the velcro...

I asked them to order Spicer joints. With the severe angle from the bellyup pan, heavy Toyos, steel rims and 513's causing faster driveshaft revolutions and lots of offroad use, it was bound to happen...

Insulation did cross my mind a long while back but the thought of having it be dettachable, now that is a great idea. .
With regards to practicality, it can be done a number of ways since there are attachment points in a number of places- either to the sides themselves, the rear of the zipper flaps or hanging from the actual cross bars themselves with a simple velcro loop.
I think I like the last idea since it does not interfere with the current design and does not add bulk to the top. Perhaps they could double as blankets for camping assuming there is no hole for the windows... The top would be more difficult to line since it would require much more velcro. Perhaps the insulation just runs accross a straight plane from one horizontal cross bar to the other, leaving an attic space for the soft camping gear. Interesting idea.

Edit: if the top,were actually produced, velcro on the inside of the panels would be the best way to go since that design could be built right into the next version.

[El Guapo]

I have always been curious to make something similar but cant think of the place or type of fabric needed and the type of sewing machine needed to work it. looks like you have the same material as aftermarket soft tops?

extremely nice work ! i love the look of those soft tops.

[squint]

I have always been curious to make something similar but cant think of the place or type of fabric needed and the type of sewing machine needed to work it. looks like you have the same material as aftermarket soft tops?

extremely nice work ! i love the look of those soft tops.

Thanks for the compliment. I have been told that the older sewing machines will suffice and can be purchased on craig's list for very little. My wife became very busy after the bikini portion was completed so I basically learned to sew myself. In hindsight, learning to sew was probably the easiest part of the project. The most difficult became the measuring and planning. Those things take much longer than the actual sewing. For fabric, I really didn't want to use sailcloth since I didn't feel the look and feel of it went with a vintage military theme. I was unable to find anything reasonably priced that would not stretch like sailcloth (although it can stretch, but not as much as canvas), so I kept it safe and went with a similar material as to what the manufacturers were using. OD Green was my first choice, however, I could not find any material that fit all my criteria in that color. For sourcing the actual sailcloth, I recommend you check with awning shops in your area. Supplies and materials were sourced from over 15 different places, both nearby and by mail/internet. Since my last post, very little work has been done because of time restraints, over 110 degree heat, and lack of certain tapes, binding, webbing to finish the project. I finally have all the final materials, a free few days, and the temp is diving to just over 100 in the next few days so I should be able to finish.
My list inlcludes: securing front corners, adjustment of attachment for top of door surrounds (they occasionally pop out of place), vertical zippers for sides, backing/padding for rear corners and rear bow where material contacts metal, finish bias binding tape around windows, rivets and snaps attached for webbing connections between bikini and safari, add zipper stops, hot knife- sear all bikini top zipper ends and strapping ends, and create privacy curtains. Most of these steps will not change the look of the soft top, rather, they will give it some longevity and pull it tight. This will include taking portions of the top on and off a half a dozen times.
The work can be tedious, but the end result is worth it.

Here is a quick video showing the different angles of the top,as it stands:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...7/0ab12455.mp4

[squint]

About the sewing machine: I am not sure I would recommend purchasing a cheap sewing machine if you were going to do a project this large. Typically, spending money for the right tools will save you from headaches down the road. I can see using a less expensive machine for a very simple bikini top or windjammer, however, with a large and very complex project such as this one, you would need something much more capable. In this case well over 1k was spent on the machine alone, and I am already thinking about purchasing something better. It's not just the machine itself, but also add ons which can make your life much easier. So the answer to your question is that I started with a new singer, and finished with an LSZ1, but I feel I need something better for the next go around.

[El Guapo]

Thanks for the info on the machine. The top looks superb! hands down the best looking soft top aftermarket or homegrown (and i am partial to can-backs!). so what material was the plastic harder stuff that protects the top against chafing? and the fabric itself, can it be sourced at your neighborhood Joann's or home Depot? (no awning shops around me that i know of)(consider these questions are coming from a total newbie when it comes to upholstery or soft top fabrics!) . Finally; what tubing did you use for the skeleton? my dilemma is somewhat related: i do have an aftermarket soft top on my early bronco, and a roll cage. I want to be able to mount a roof rack that goes through the top with a sandwiching stack up between the cage and the basket; i am envisioning using some sort of grommet like material or even an old industrial inner tube and sew it on the upright standards locations (dont worry if you cant visualize what im talking about- its all in my head as of now)....i want to try this and i know that once i get into that i will end up building something similar to your top, simply because of the awesome looks of it and the added practicality over my besttop. FInally, i want to install the roof rack so i can mount my RTT on it...

P.S. nice pics of Sedona- brought back some good memories- i went for my undergrad at NAU, used to ride my mtb all over those trails back in the day!

cheers.

Edgar

[Gaucho919]

Thanks for the compliments on the Comanche Squint. I remember seeing a picture of your LJ a couple years ago and saving it to my old iPhone bc I loved the way it looked with those white steelies on it, now looks even better with that top on it. It would be great to convoy my Comanche with your LJ around the southwestern backcountry someday

[squint]

Thanks for the info on the machine. The top looks superb! hands down the best looking soft top aftermarket or homegrown (and i am partial to can-backs!). so what material was the plastic harder stuff that protects the top against chafing? and the fabric itself, can it be sourced at your neighborhood Joann's or home Depot? (no awning shops around me that i know of)(consider these questions are coming from a total newbie when it comes to upholstery or soft top fabrics!) . Finally; what tubing did you use for the skeleton? my dilemma is somewhat related: i do have an aftermarket soft top on my early bronco, and a roll cage. I want to be able to mount a roof rack that goes through the top with a sandwiching stack up between the cage and the basket; i am envisioning using some sort of grommet like material or even an old industrial inner tube and sew it on the upright standards locations (dont worry if you cant visualize what im talking about- its all in my head as of now)....i want to try this and i know that once i get into that i will end up building something similar to your top, simply because of the awesome looks of it and the added practicality over my besttop. FInally, i want to install the roof rack so i can mount my RTT on it...

P.S. nice pics of Sedona- brought back some good memories- i went for my undergrad at NAU, used to ride my mtb all over those trails back in the day!

cheers.

Edgar

Thanks I appreciate it.

I am not sure what you are referring to on the plastic. Plastic was used for fastening the sailcloth to the tub and door surrounds, but not for protection.. For reinforcement where material meets metal, another layer of sailcloth was used to protect the material from getting worn prematurely. One of the Mud guys showed me those canbacks -I had never seen one before until a few weeks ago. It definitely looks similar. I don't think Joanne's or home depot carries that type of fabric. I actually had a difficult time finding this color- it was sourced at Phoenix Trim and Supply Co.
The tubing is 1 1/8th diameter and very strong. I can grab the frame and rock my whole vehicle back and forth with no squeaks. It would definitely support a rack with no issues. I understand what you are saying -you would have two plates, one under the soft top and one above which both press against the material and are bolted together with a rubber seal in between. I had that thought as well, but in the end, it seemed like too much trouble and most likely would leak as well as be difficult for top removal. I already have attachment points without having to cut into the existing soft top(my plan from the start). They are simply the existing bolts in the corners. If you decide to take the leap, let me know and I would be happy to help in any way I can.

[squint]

Your comanche reminds me of that JT project. I searched for white steel wheels for several years before I found exactly what I wanted. I have always wanted to paint my jeep that color, but I figure I will wait until it really needs a paint job and then I will probably paint it myself as you did. I saw a TJ painted that color with black accents like yours a long time ago and had it in my head ever since. A convoy would be fun indeed . Let me know if you are ever in AZ. I can show you some scenic trails.

[squint]

The vertical zippers just went on. It was much more difficult than imagined since the tension had to be just right. In the end it came out perfect and the sides are now completely tight with no wrinkles. Everything except for corner reinforcement and trim around the windows is done now. Approximately two more hours of work and it will finally be finished. Yeehoo!

[irish1371]

quit teasing more pics