Anyone have pictures of a Softopper installed???

[72truckman]

Anyone have pictures of a Softopper installed??? I'm thinking about buying one soon, I'd like to see a few mounted and some opinions about it.

[orange72blazer]

Not my Blazer but one that was at an auction by me & had a few pics of the Softopper.

http://www.repocast.com/details.cfm?ID=643961

[Rochlow]

Here is mine installed. I did it myself and took my time. Took me the better part of a day to do it. I had the redrill the holes that the hold the rails to the body. The rear fits really tight as you can tell from the pictures and there are holes about the size of a quarter on top forward corners and lower rear of each window.

I think it will keep most of the rain out, but for sure not water tight.

[72truckman]

Originally Posted by orange72blazer

Not my Blazer but one that was at an auction by me & had a few pics of the Softopper.

http://www.repocast.com/details.cfm?ID=643961

Thanks Orange72Blazer!

Originally Posted by Rochlow

Here is mine installed. I did it myself and took my time. Took me the better part of a day to do it. I had the redrill the holes that the hold the rails to the body. The rear fits really tight as you can tell from the pictures and there are holes about the size of a quarter on top forward corners and lower rear of each window.

I think it will keep most of the rain out, but for sure not water tight.

Damn man, nice truck. That top looks great. Im not expecting water tight, just something to keep the bulk out. Thanks for the response

[bigbadchev72]

[Andy_VA]

great pix. i have been considering ordering a softtopper for a while now... I have read reports that there is a considerable gap between the side windows and the top. Can someone shoot a picture of how the top fits against the drivers or pass rollup window?? Also, reports of not being able to open and close the doors with the windows up are confusing. Can someone shed light on that???

[bigbadchev72]

Originally Posted by Andy_VA

great pix. i have been considering ordering a softtopper for a while now... I have read reports that there is a considerable gap between the side windows and the top. Can someone shoot a picture of how the top fits against the drivers or pass rollup window?? Also, reports of not being able to open and close the doors with the windows up are confusing. Can someone shed light on that???

I dont have any windows in mine at the moment

[Rochlow]

Originally Posted by Andy_VA

great pix. i have been considering ordering a softtopper for a while now... I have read reports that there is a considerable gap between the side windows and the top. Can someone shoot a picture of how the top fits against the drivers or pass rollup window?? Also, reports of not being able to open and close the doors with the windows up are confusing. Can someone shed light on that???

To close the door with the window up, you have to close the door first then roll the window up under the flap. Also, there is about a gap the size of a quarter at the peak of the windshield piller/top/window area.

[Andy_VA]

If it is raining out and you need to run into the store, what do you do? Leave the window open? If you leave the truck parked in a parking lot, do you leave the window cracked? I guess anyone that really wanted to get into the truck they would just slice the top open any way...

I know that I need to buy a top, but I want to know what it is that I am spending my money on... I would rather know than be dissapointed. Can someone please take a picture of what the top looks like with the window closed?? And maybe a picture of how much the window needs to be open in order for the door to close. Many thanks.

[bigeasycigars]

With enough fine tune adjusting you can get it to work. It took adjusting doors, body shimming, panel adjustment, proper placement of the header bar (the corners are the key). I'm happy with mine. You can reduce the gap at the pillar as well if you are crafty.

I had a double wall top on my K5 and the holes drilled in the Softopper bed rails were for a single wall. My suggestion would be to have them ship a nondrilled set of bed rails and drill them yourself. Take your time and install on a warmer/sunny day. The spreader bar is a bit tricky at the ends so do drill them last after stretching and snapping top on to see here the holes need to be.

This top will leak in heavy rain. But it's a soft top and not a convertible top. I have just wedged a foam between the pillar/window/top area while driving.

The top overall is the best I have seen and the only application now. I'd love zip out sides and might take it to an upholsterer and have them remedy that. I think the price is very fair for what ya get and have no real complaints. I am so confident in the top that I sold my hard top and bought and extra one just in case they stop making them or I buy another K5.

NOTE> Your geometry does change when removing your hard top. Check and shim as needed.

As far as being secure I wouldn't worry about someone slicing it as anyone can unsnap and get in in a couple seconds...it's a soft top after all.

Hope that helps and if anyone has any thing to add or tips I’d love to hear!

All the best,

bigeasycigars

[callonor]

Originally Posted by bigeasycigars

With enough fine tune adjusting you can get it to work. It took adjusting doors, body shimming, panel adjustment, proper placement of the header bar (the corners are the key). I'm happy with mine. You can reduce the gap at the pillar as well if you are crafty.

I had a double wall top on my K5 and the holes drilled in the Softopper bed rails were for a single wall. My suggestion would be to have them ship a nondrilled set of bed rails and drill them yourself. Take your time and install on a warmer/sunny day. The spreader bar is a bit tricky at the ends so do drill them last after stretching and snapping top on to see here the holes need to be.

This top will leak in heavy rain. But it's a soft top and not a convertible top. I have just wedged a foam between the pillar/window/top area while driving.

The top overall is the best I have seen and the only application now. I'd love zip out sides and might take it to an upholsterer and have them remedy that. I think the price is very fair for what ya get and have no real complaints. I am so confident in the top that I sold my hard top and bought and extra one just in case they stop making them or I buy another K5.

NOTE> Your geometry does change when removing your hard top. Check and shim as needed.

As far as being secure I wouldn't worry about someone slicing it as anyone can unsnap and get in in a couple seconds...it's a soft top after all.

Hope that helps and if anyone has any thing to add or tips I’d love to hear!

All the best,

bigeasycigars

Thanks for the info! We just ordered the top!

[69-72]

How does the rear of the top fit to the tailgate? In the softtoppper instructions it shows a truck with snaps installed on the tailgate but in other pictures it looks like there are none.

[72gmguy]

Mine has Velcro holding the rear flap to the tailgate.
There is a bar that slides into the top and locks into the end of the tracks just above the tailgate. The Velcro just holds the lower 5-6 inches of the top from flapping.

[69-72]

I guess my main concern is altering or damaging the body, so the other side of Velcro is attached to the tailgate some how?

[hemi43]

I mounted my Velcro to a stainless tailgate protector. I could have put it right on the paint but figured this was a safer way. I've also enclosed a picture of the gap others have mentioned at the top of the door.

[69-72]

Thanks for the detailed pics!

[Blazerowner]

Since this a softopper thread does anyone have a picture with their door closed and windows rolled up?

[72gmguy]

Not a close up but you get the idea.

[robs71k5]

This picture shows no applications across the tailgate Been driving like this for a few years but not driving in winter or rain . Was worried about paint as well. [ATTACH]1512533[/ATTACH

[robs71k5]

[69-72]

Originally Posted by robs71k5

This picture shows no applications across the tailgate Been driving like this for a few years but not driving in winter or rain . Was worried about paint as well. [ATTACH]1512533[/ATTACH

So does it flap around if you were to go at highway speeds?

[hemi43]

I wouldn't say it flaps in the wind, because it's really well made and fits very tight. It is however a bit noisy especially driving into the wind.

[69-72]

I wonder if some rare earth magnets sewn into the fabric might help

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by 69-72

I wonder if some rare earth magnets sewn into the fabric might help

Sorry, I misread your original question. I thought you meant if the whole Softopper flapped, but realized you meant just the tailgate curtain.

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by 69-72

I wonder if some rare earth magnets sewn into the fabric might help

Be careful, if you get a metal shaving sticking to a magnet it will cause more damage than the velcro.