Soft Tops - current vendors as of 2014

[RW68RSConv]

Searching old threads, I found a lot of info on softtops, but looks like a lot of the suppliers are out of business or no longer making them.

Is there anyone besides "SoftTopper" still making soft tops for 69-72s?

Is softtopper a decent product? I'm ready to buy but want to know all my options.

Thanks.

[PatsFanWilly]

Originally Posted by RW68RSConv

Searching old threads, I found a lot of info on softtops, but looks like a lot of the suppliers are out of business or no longer making them.

Is there anyone besides "SoftTopper" still making soft tops for 69-72s?

Is softtopper a decent product? I'm ready to buy but want to know all my options.

Thanks.

I searched high and low as well for my Blazer and the only place I could find them was softtopper. Its a pretty good product from what I can tell. Ive had mine on for about 6 months now. I will tell you the directions to installing the softtop from softtopper are terrible.
Heres my blazer with softtopper.

[viking427]

Softtopper has been the only choice for the last few years, and I suppose we should be thankful we have even one choice. Luckily, the product is a high level of quality. They've made a few updates in that time based on customer feedback. My two wish-list improvements would be zip out windows (safari style), and leave off those jumbo gawdy "Softtopper" logos ..even if it costs extra.

[PatsFanWilly]

Originally Posted by viking427

Softtopper has been the only choice for the last few years, and I suppose we should be thankful we have even one choice. Luckily, the product is a high level of quality. They've made a few updates in that time based on customer feedback. My two wish-list improvements would be zip out windows (safari style), and leave off those jumbo gawdy "Softtopper" logos ..even if it costs extra.

Haha, agree on the "Softtopper" logo. Need to get mine off.

[ekajkrats]

Call and ask, they may be able to leave the logos off. Wish I had asked!

Local guy (local to me not softopper) told me they were making them to order rather than pulling them off a shelf now and the lead time was longer. Don't know the veracity to the claim, as I already have had mine about two years.

[truckster]

How is the fit around the windows? How about leaks?

I'd like to get one, but it's cold and it snows a lot here during the winter.

[iambigfattony]

I was thinking of having my top reproduced, local guy does really nice Boat tops. For as old as it is the tops in great shape. Perfect pattern? The hardware is very basic, could be easily made. I'll get a pic from the inside. Maybe make it an inch or two taller? Zipper windows?

[Tumbleweed]

I have one, and I live in northern Michigan. The fit is decent, for decent weather. I like it, but i wouldn't want to run it during the winter. It ain't ideal for that kind of harsh around here.

[truckster]

Tumbleweed,

Thanks. That's what I was worried about. Maybe I'll just go with a bikini top for summertime and keep putting the hard top on when it gets cold. I haven't got mine put back together yet, so I have some time to think about it.

Tony,

I had that same thought. If one of the shops around here could build me the top, I could have it made the way I want it (removable side panels) and I could build the hardware. Like I said above, I have a lot of time to think about it.

Willy,

Nice Blazer. Thanks for sharing the pic.

[RW68RSConv]

Looks like I'm ordering a soft tops tomorrow! I'll post the results. Thanks everyone.

[tristan]

I wish someone would repo the original dealer-installed soft top with roll-up sides, white canvas cloth and bright plated windshield molding. I'd buy one. Even better, maybe someone here who has rat-holed a NOS one still in the box will put it up for sale. Some of you guys have some amazing NOS hoards...

[rayray767]

I called soft toppers over a year ago as I was interested in buying a soft top from them. I asked them if I could get mine without the logo. They said yes but I would have to wait as they were pre made already. I was kidding around and asked for a discount on the one with the logo stamped top as I told them I would be advertising for them. Not sure who I was speaking with but that made someone get upset. They said a few nasty words to me before I could say I'm kidding. So I just said there no such thing as free advertisement and I hung up. I bought the Safari style top from a member on here I haven't installed it yet. My wife is from Vietnam so when I go back there I will take this top with me. I know some one who can make it exactly the same down to the last stitch for me really cheap
So after making one they will be able to make many copies to ship to U.S.A
If anyone's interested

[timski69gmc]

I ended up ordering mine from Softopper as well. Seemed easy to deal with. And fast shipping. Ordered Saturday, shipped Monday, received Thursday. Slid it part way out of the box, seems like pretty good quality. Won't get to install for a few more weeks yet. But looking forward to running around topless.

[viking427]

Originally Posted by rayray767

..My wife is from Vietnam so when I go back there I will take this top with me. I know some one who can make it exactly the same down to the last stitch for me really cheap So after making one they will be able to make many copies to ship to U.S.A If anyone's interested

PM me after the prototype comes back, Id be interested. If I were choosing a template to prototype off of, it would have to be the Specialty Top Company (STC) "Fast Trac" ..IMO was the best fitting, best looking and most functional top ever available for the Blazer;













With Softtopper coming in at #2;




Disclaimer: Pics are of members trucks from other posts on this board.


Truthfully, at prices creeping toward $1000, these tops and hardware cost twice what they really should, even with a generous markup.

[rayray767]

Yes Sir it was ! Viking427 $uper bad a$$ when I get back over there with this STC fast trac top Im making sure they keep a copy pattern incase you guys want one after seeing my prototype. But as I stated I had bought mine off a member on here so I have all the hardware. You may have to get your own hardware made. I don't know of anyone in Vietnam who can make them. My guess would be to ask member Warbucket if he can make them. I've seen his fab work on the tire swing parts their nicely made.

[PatsFanWilly]

Originally Posted by viking427

PM me after the prototype comes back, Id be interested. If I were choosing a template to prototype off of, it would have to be the Specialty Top Company (STC) "Fast Trac" ..IMO was the best fitting, best looking and most functional top ever available for the Blazer;













With Softtopper coming in at #2;




Disclaimer: Pics are of members trucks from other posts on this board.


Truthfully, at prices creeping toward $1000, these tops and hardware cost twice what they really should, even with a generous markup.

I would have to agree with you. That fastrac one is way better looking.

[RW68RSConv]

Thanks for all the input. I ordered a SoftTopper today. I'll post how it goes.

[RW68RSConv]

Well, if this is any indication of the company, I ordered at 10am, confirmation rec'd at 10:02, thank you for my order @ 4:00, ups confirmation ship tracking number at 4:02, delivery on Tuesday. When I'm buying everyday parts from summit, I'm used to this. But I expected a week or two on a semi-specialty part like this. If nothing else, it's a good start. Hope the product is as good.

[My3Sons!]

I just installed a softopper and couldn't be happier. Great quality, great customer service, I had no issues with the install instructions, they must have improved over previous versions.

[rayray767]

You should show the updated version. I think we all would like to see it

[timski69gmc]

And pictures too!

[My3Sons!]

I posted a few pics to this thread, not very detailed though. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=612252

[mtully79]

How does it seal against the weather? I know nothing's perfect but wondering how it fits in a downpour.

Pics of it look good, nice truck!

[My3Sons!]

I just realized I didn't reply to the same question on that thread. I'll just confirm what you probably already know, and as you said, nothing is perfect. I'll be honest that I've not, and hopefully won't have to really test this in a downpour, but after looking at the tight fit on the install, I'd be very confident it would work as well, if not better than my hardtop. The challenge with water in any situation, is it takes the path of least resistance, so the variance of a fraction of an inch can create a dry cab, vs. a relative flood. The weakest link I feel is the top corner of the windshield header. It's a bit of a catch 22, to have more coverage would mean you can't open your door, as it stands now, you have to roll your window down, which makes it a little difficult to park it during a downpour, unless you roll up the windows from the inside and climb out the back ;-)

For me, it's all about convenience, I can't rely on getting 3 buddies over every time I want to take the hard top off, let alone the risk of scratching the paint every time I do it. (I don't have a tall enough garage to create a hoist system). So, this allows me to manage it solo, and be top down the vast majority of time, but allows me to drive on days that aren't forecasted for 100% sun (which was really the case prior to installing). Also, on Spring and Fall days, allows me to drive it on nice days and keep warm.

[timski69gmc]

Right, I forgot you had already posted pics. Looks great.
I ordered one for the same reasons. That, and my top is kind of crappy.
I bought the truck because it was a cool convertible, why have the top on?
We have been out of town for car shows with the pickup, and have gotten caught in freak rain storms. That would suck to be without a top.
Waiting for my inspection before I install. Hopefully in the next month.