New Soft top info

[skidder111]

Is that "header bar" deal supposed to allow you to attach the roof to the windshield frame without drilling into it? PS: pictures would be great.

[Luba]

Originally Posted by tucsonbroker

The top is installed and it looks great!

Install was not an hour as they say, but I think most of the delay was because the previous owner of my truck had changed up the hole pattern for the hard top. When I looked underneath the lip, there are oval patterns that match the supplied aluminum rail. That said, here is the relevant info about this soft top.

The good:

1. Aluminum poles are high quality and click together easily.
2. Top is nice and well constructed.
3. When installed, the entire thing is tight and there is no sagging.
4. Everything is adjustable, lots of straps and options.
5. Extra snaps for the front. I ended up needing them for the ones I broke.

The bad:

1. Their instructions are terrible. A big box of parts and 2 pages of poorly done pictures don't help. To make matters worse, I ordered the optional header bar and there were no instructions for that piece. More on that later.
2. They claim to supply a drillbit. None in the kit. Fortunately I had a #30.
3. Bolts supplied to attach the aluminum rail do not come with nuts or bottom washers. I guess they assume most people have a single walled top. Not me, but fortunately I had some spare 1/4" 20 nuts in my shop.
4. The web site says the windows are lightly tinted. They are clear.
5. There are 3, count them, **3** soft topper logo's on the top. One on each side and 1 on the back. Last I checked they don't pay me any advertising. I also have the same issue with car dealers that put their logo's on new cars. Just a peeve of mine.
6. The optional header bar is a thin piece of aluminum. The premise is that only 5 actual holes need to go into the blazer. A good idea in theory, but the aluminum doesn't bend quite enough on the edges and the one end snap doesn't seem to want to hold it to the window frame tight enough. The snaps supplied that go into the blazer are not long enough and I didn't feel confident that they grabbed enough metal. So I used the bar as a template and just drilled all of the holes into the blazer then tossed the thing. One other thing, when the header bar is installed, the snaps that do not go into the blazer are too long. I guess they expect us to file them down or something. Very poor implementation if you ask me.

Overall: Fit, finish, and cost make this a worthwhile purchase. Just don't expect an hour install and don't expect the header bar to solve all your problems.

Maybe one of you guys that live close to the maker of this top, can print this post out and discuss these issues?

[tucsonbroker]

Originally Posted by skidder111

Is that "header bar" deal supposed to allow you to attach the roof to the windshield frame without drilling into it? PS: pictures would be great.

Yes, the header bar is the thing they sell so you only have to drill 5 holes into the windshield frame instead of 13 or so.

I will post detailed pictures of everything including the logos soon.

[scoyote]

I'll stop in and chat with him.....I need to order mine pretty soon...it's getting winter here.

[randy70]

any recent info on the soft tops? im interested and dont mind drilling holes. i just want a soft top. i think 800 is a fair price for all the R&D that went into it. im in if they are still producing them. i would love tan tho but if black is whats offered thats what ill get. any new info would be much appreciated.

[Gary 70 Jimmy]

I cant believe that no one has any pictures yet.

[Big J]

Originally Posted by Gary 70 Jimmy

I cant believe that no one has any pictures yet.

Me either, I can't read so I'm kinda lost without the pics.

[tucsonbroker]

sorry guys, digital camera problems.... later this week I promise

[tucsonbroker]

Ok here are pictures!!

[tucsonbroker]

more

[tucsonbroker]

some more

[71jimmy]

Very, very, nice!

How about some pics a few feet back showing the entire Blazer and top.

How was the installation?

Did you get the Windshield header or did you drill into the top of the frame?

[tucsonbroker]

I did get the windshield header, but as mentioned in my original post:
1. The screws that go through it on the side are not enough to curve the aluminum piece enough that I felt it was secure. Its flexible, but not THAT flexible.
2. The screws that do not go into the windshield frame are too long (see picture) and would need to be ground down.
3. I ended up using the header bar as a template and just drilling and putting all the snaps into the windshield header.

[TonyJohnson]

That's great. Next time it's down some pics would be great too. What are those plastic clips that hang from the top line for?

[robs71k5]

I just happened to put this together in antisipation of me picking up a softop. I dont have the top yet but I have the mold to help out with concerns over the windshield .. There is a fair bit of work into this already and I think I would aproach a fibreglass shop to produce from my mold if there is any interest .My cost about $100 bucks and a week to build mold two days for process layup.................. Your comments will be of great value

[Gary 70 Jimmy]

Thanks for the pictures. Does it flap in wind when you drive it down the road with the windows down. Does it fit real tight at the door windows and bed. I ask because I have these problems with my bestop.

[tucsonbroker]

Originally Posted by TonyJohnson

That's great. Next time it's down some pics would be great too. What are those plastic clips that hang from the top line for?

Are you referring to the clips that hang on the sides? So you can roll up the sides.

[tucsonbroker]

Originally Posted by Gary 70 Jimmy

Thanks for the pictures. Does it flap in wind when you drive it down the road with the windows down. Does it fit real tight at the door windows and bed. I ask because I have these problems with my bestop.

It is a really tight fit at the bed and the window openings. Flapping is not that bad, but then again I don't have much to compare it to.

[72K5er]

Any pics a little further back showing the entire K5 with the top? I am thinking of getting the same top. Thanks

[Twisted78SS]

Originally Posted by robs71k5

I just happened to put this together in antisipation of me picking up a softop. I dont have the top yet but I have the mold to help out with concerns over the windshield .. There is a fair bit of work into this already and I think I would aproach a fibreglass shop to produce from my mold if there is any interest .My cost about $100 bucks and a week to build mold two days for process layup.................. Your comments will be of great value

Now I think your on to something. This appears to deal with what I see as an issue, and that is blowing rain getting up under the front lip. Also, depending on how it attaches, it could be a much better approach than either a bunch of holes, or only enough holes to mount a strip that might not last long term.

I would love to see hot it attaches and looks installed.

[best view]

for 100.00 iam in po me

[PHAT TONY]

Since a 384 mph wind cartwheeled my top across the yard; doing as much damage as it sounds, and living in Canada where Blazer tops do not exist, I'm awaiting any updates on this product. On a side note, snap holes above the drip rail would be a very localized repair to reverse; you'd only need to finish and paint a 3 inch strip. A grey top would be PERFECT!