Soft top or hard top...that is the question

[siii8873]

I came up with a solution 2 rovers one with hard top one with soft top.
Only one is on the road and having both options I have the hard top on. I also have canoes to carry and the hard top with a rack does that great. I have been trying to come up with a rack system for the soft top that does not look like a sore %ss, havn't yet. I have had as many as 3 canoes on top even considered double decking 4 one time.

[greenmeanie]

Travis,
If your planing to carry the kids the hardtop is a lot more robust in a roll over and has better options for belts. Its not up to modern standards of course but there are plenty of posts showing them standing up satisfactorily to roll overs. Unless you want to fit a roll hoop which swallows your load space somewhat but does provide a useful rack mount you'll find there is next to no strength in the standard hoop set.

Then again th ere is the canvas cool factor.. didn't your mate have a 101 for sale?

[IslandRover]

Hi. I 'm a new '73 III swb owner and have a hard top but am contemplating making the switch to a soft / canvas top and selling my hardtop. I've been hesitant because this is an all season LR for me and I'm not sure how it will withstand the elements in the winter up here (in MA) and keep us warm.
Couple of questions:
- What brand of soft tops do you all recommend?
- Is it possible to get a great installation / seal so it is usable in the winter thus making it great for year round?
- What other components would I need to buy considering I have full doors.
- Windows v/s non-window soft tops - is one easier to maintain?
Thanks for any insight you can offer!
Kevin

[ducttape]

- Windows v/s non-window soft tops - is one easier to maintain?

Kevin

Havig run the 109 with soft top I had the flaps rolled up most of the year. In fact, pretty much all the year, except when it was in storage outside and we expected snow.

The windows helped a lot if the flaps were down though. It is a cave in there, with no light. The windows aren't even that big, but better than nothing.

I also have a cab only soft top with a window on top that is fantastic. Like driving with a soft top sun roof.

The 109 top has pretty cruddy windows. 30 years of folks smoking I guess. I never tried to clean them but if you do let them get this dirty I think you'd regret it. There must be a product for cleaning that if used regularly would prevent decades of grime build up.

In short, go with the windows.

[stomper]

To clean your windows, buy a product from Miguires called plastx. You can get it at target, etc. Rub it on with a foam applicator, just like wax. It will take some elbow grease, and maybe a few applications, but they will come out almost crystal clear. Deep scratches are the only thing it won't remove.

[scott]

My 109 had a soft top, the new 88 (which I am getting this weekend) hard top. I would very much like to do the soft top again. Carrying is/could be an issue, but there is nothing like riding with the flaps up (12 months out of the year)

Has anyone come up with a good rack system for soft top so canoe etc can be stuck up there while still preserving the soft top idea?

i've a soft top, hope to build a rack that is supported by risers attached to brackets that clamp on to the tub rail and dip down and out from under the soft top sides when they're rolled down. the front risers will bolt to the wind screen hinge bolts

[luckyjoe]

I've had a soft top on my 109 and loved it. It's been great in the winter and great in the rain. On a 2-door 109 it's a great airy feeling when rolled-up, while still keeping the sun off you. Surprisingly, my only soft top complaint is ventilation when the weather prevents rolling the sides up. I'm now switching to hardtop. I'm doing a full, insulated headliner, including the roof sides, adding alpine glass and two defender sliding windows per side. I'm hoping this will be my year-round favorite.

Regards,

[ShootingCar]

Collect them all

On my 88, I have both a hard top with rear door, alpine windows and sliding side windows for fall to spring and a new tan and an old green soft top for summer. I have a full four post 2" sch 40 welded pipe roll bar with braces to the frame and a forward facing rear seat with three point inertia seat belts mounted to it for all four passengers. So either top fits over it and the seat belts don't change. I am an engineer so I get into the details on these things. I have had in mind to mount two pipe hanger clamps to the each of the two top horiz. roll bar pipes each with a 3/8 or 1/2 in all thread post running vertical up thru holes in the old soft top. These would become four posts for a rack that would cover the top of the soft top for canoes etc. in the summer.
However, I don't have boats or stuff to put up there so its not a priority. Also as I am short and I have had bike racks on the roof of my minivan before, I find it a pain to get stuff up on the roof. If I were doing much canoeing etc I would probably just use my trailer and carry the on it where they are at my height.
Other things though are if you need to lock stuff up in your truck. With the soft top you are much more open. I spent a lot to get my hard top and rear door to do this but haven't ever gotten the door locks installed yet. So I am still not secure with it for carrying valuables like dog, fly rods and shotguns in it for the field etc. I love driving it with the tan soft top rolled up on the sides and leave it like that most of the summer. I have found that its a pain to switch tops especially with fitting the weather stripping in for the hardtop. I do plan to make a rear removable aluminum checkered deck plate that will span across the rear wheel wells with locking drawer that can replace the rear seat and provide a deck for my dog cages and locking storage compartment underneath. I may also slide the highlift jack and shovel under there. If I were in GA I would just go with a soft top and pull a trailer for the boats. A rover trailer would be cool.
Jeff

[Wander]

Could you post some pictures of that set up? Sounds pretty nice.

[thixon]

Could you post some pictures of that set up? Sounds pretty nice.

X2, I'd like to see the bar. If I go with the softtop, I'm gonna have to weld up a bar for the rear since I plan to do the sale seating arrangement you've done. How did you mount it?

[ducttape]

Here's a stupid question for ya Could you post some preproduction drawings (just trying to sound intelligent) for the concept?

Are you saying something like the shape of the el-cheapo coffee cup holders? Fits in the hole that the soft top frame uses but the juts outwards for the uprights for the racking to fit into? Interesting idea. Sort of a cage over the soft top cage. I like it.

i've a soft top, hope to build a rack that is supported by risers attached to brackets that clamp on to the tub rail and dip down and out from under the soft top sides when they're rolled down. the front risers will bolt to the wind screen hinge bolts