If It Weren't for Kids

[SWFLABRONCO]

Times the way they are and no need for multiple car payments the ol' girl is in transisition from being my Sunday driver to my daily driver. I always wanted a half cab but since we'll be using the truck more as a family, I've decided to unload the half cab and go with a soft top or hard top. I'm not a fan of any soft tops available to us at the moment but was wondering how kid friendly the steel tops can be. I hate having to do this but maybe someone can sway my decision one way or the other. Just want to make it as practical and fun for the kids as possible.

 

[Revelation]

Do you have A/C? Are you dead against a soft top? I have owned both full top and now a soft top, never again will I have one with a hard top, unless I make a street Queen.

And it depends on the age of the kids, are they old enough to buckle in themselves? or do you have to do it? It can be done just a PITA. If they are old enough to buckle up alone, you have A/C, the full top would work, just put some insulation on it then a good headliner.

 

[G's Baja Bronco]

X2 on the soft top, Thumbs up REV

Wife had one on her 81 CJ7, I had it on the 02 wrangler, I hated the solid top on my Ramcharger (heavy, and hot, no AC). My brother also hated his solid top on his 74 EB, he just bought a new best top and I am also going to get one for my 75. It is just as well made as the stock 02 wrangler was. easy to remove the windows (came with tinted windows) and become a safari top.

 

[SWFLABRONCO]

Hey Rev and G,
My plan was to take the plunge for a/c in the spring and just ride it out this winter to save some pennies for the unit, so yes it will have it eventually. I like the look of the hardtop better but imagine it could get miserabley hot in the summer. The kids can buckle themselves so I won't have to do any climbing back and forth. The bestop does look like the more quality unit out there, I've just never seen one in person and can't get past the shiny vinyl finish. Wish they made them in denim but bestop says they have no plans to use that material on our tops. This is just a huge leap going from my beloved half cab to something else. Even thought about a small four point cage in the back with a canvas cover but then I still have the kids in the back seperated from us like hunting dogs. Can't bring myself to do it.

 

[Smokeater11]

Bro you live in Cape Coral, there has to be an upholstery shop or 50 that could make you a softy to your liking. Once you get used to the air flow around you you'll love it. Add in the a/c for the balls hot summer days and you'll be fine with the flaps down. I'm gonna have my soft top custom made at a shop when I get to that point because I'm like you, I don't really care much for the pre existing selections.

 

[G's Baja Bronco]

The shinny is OK with me, I would rather get a mate black, like my Mustang's top. If you have the full top already, use it till the AC becomes a must. I also agree with you on the look, wish some one made an affordable fiber top with sliding side windows (plastic) for weight savings and looks. Then we could easily remove it, and put in the Bikini top

I might find out what a custom made soft top goes for around me, and also down south in Tijuana (eating barbecued iguana) ;D

 

[SWFLABRONCO]

Bro you live in Cape Coral, there has to be an upholstery shop or 50 that could make you a softy to your liking.

Hey Smokeater,
There are quite a few down here but you'd think they are making them out of gold for as much as they are asking for them. Are you going to have them build the framework from scratch and then cover? It is an idea I've thought about revisiting.

 

[Smokeater11]

Actually I'm planning to use my cage as the framework for my top. I've got a cage design that will allow me to not need any framework. I just have to have the built first. The guy who's gonna make my top has promised me it won't cost me more than a grand. That's a lot of a top but it's gonna be one off and custom made to fit my truck.

 

[SWFLABRONCO]

Doing rear zip out windows too? Let me know how it progresses.

 

[Smokeater11]

All the windows will be zip out. It's too complicated to type out. PM me a number and I'll call you.