New Soft Top - Ideas/Opinions needed.

[4x4x289]

It would be really cool if you designed a pop up tent to go with this, something that extended out onto the tailgate and also up onto a cargo rack. The cargo rack could be used to hold a trifold floor that flips out left and right and supports the main tent sleeping area. Not only would i buy it, but I'd sell my stc for it. I havn't found anything like it and was thinking of making it for my yakima cargo rack, some day. Don't forget me when you make millions on this.

 

[ransil]

Make it look like a hard top, shape and window size.

 

[bannind]

Rick - are the doors on the white test bronco the Bestop doors? Are you planning on creating your own doors or utilize a seperate vendors?

 

[twisted_mr]

how about a zipper from behind the passenger door to behind the driver's door so you can unzip the back half(fold it down) and have a bikini top/full top all in one. (just a thought)

 

[SaddleUp]

Saddleup whats the plan for the roof top carrier? Maybe I missed that part?
hell maybe you don't want to say right now and thats fine too.
Ben

I still have to work out the carrier details. The basic carrier option will be to use 3 crossbars though. Then a rack or carrier would mount to them. (This leaves the option of using other carriers for things like skis, boats, or bicycles)

Should have asked if the metal peices will be powder coated?

Ben

I plan to have all metal parts that are not aluminum or stainless steel powder coated.

Rick, Man that is looking sweet! If your starting a list of potential buyers put my name on it. I love the idea of the roof rack & removable sides! My only concern is that my family cage is a tad bit longer than normal, about 1/2" to 1". I had to hack out the top & side supports of the rear of my hard top for it to fit. Would this still fit? Keep us posted!

I have a list started now. Send me a PM for details. I don't think your cage will be a problem. If I can get a measurement from one side to the other on your cage I can check it against the width to find out. Height will not be a problem. It's approx. 1" higher than the hard top.

It would be really cool if you designed a pop up tent to go with this, something that extended out onto the tailgate and also up onto a cargo rack. The cargo rack could be used to hold a trifold floor that flips out left and right and supports the main tent sleeping area. Not only would i buy it, but I'd sell my stc for it. I havn't found anything like it and was thinking of making it for my yakima cargo rack, some day. Don't forget me when you make millions on this.

Sounds like an interesting idea. The only concern I would have would be holding enough weight. I think that is just a detail to work out though. I'll keep it in mind when I work out the rack details.

Make it look like a hard top, shape and window size.

That's what I'm going to shoot for on the next prototype.

Rick - are the doors on the white test bronco the Bestop doors? Are you planning on creating your own doors or utilize a seperate vendors?

My doors are a set of Galen Weavers doors. I do plan to create doors once I have the tops under way. Next week I plan to go by Galen's house after he is back in town and discuss some design ideas on them. I don't expect to get anything done on them for a few months though.

 

[SaddleUp]

how about a zipper from behind the passenger door to behind the driver's door so you can unzip the back half(fold it down) and have a bikini top/full top all in one. (just a thought)

I thought about this. I decided against it though because I think sealing the top around the zipper would become an issue. I just posted up the option of a combo top though that will include skins for both a half cab version and a full top that share the same hardware. (The result of 2 discussions that went on through PM's)

 

[krunchytaco]

Great job!
I can only hope this will fit under my cage!!

 

[TonyPDX]

Rick, nice work.
I love the windshield riser idea, as I hate the wiper motor drop brackets.

You mentioned somthing about changing the window shape and I think your on track there. Maybe slope the back of the window a little and make it taller?

Do you have a provision for keeping it tight as the fabric stretches?

Are you going to re-enforce the area over the winshied riser? I think this might be a trouble spot for the Sunbrella material.

Keep us posted as I too am in the market.

Tony

 

[SaddleUp]

Rick, nice work.
I love the windshield riser idea, as I hate the wiper motor drop brackets.

You mentioned somthing about changing the window shape and I think your on track there. Maybe slope the back of the window a little and make it taller?

Do you have a provision for keeping it tight as the fabric stretches?

Are you going to re-enforce the area over the winshied riser? I think this might be a trouble spot for the Sunbrella material.

Keep us posted as I too am in the market.

Tony

The bars and hoops can all be adjusted to tighten it up later if it stretches.

The material over the riser will be Sea Mark (Sunbrella with a vinyl backing embedded in it) which is already pretty thick stuff. I am thinking about slipping a plastic edge strip over the riser though which will double the surface it is up against.

 

[bannind]

Going back to the topic of the doors. Are you hoping to design the softdoors to work with all tops or just your style top? While I think the look of your top is great, having just bought a new softtop means that I am riding this horse for a while. Knowing the dedication and time you are putting into all the products you design, would convince me to hold off on buying softdoors elsewhere and wait for yours. Providing of course they would work with a Bestop.

thanks,
dan

 

[744x4]

I like the look of the square back as it reminds me of the D90.I think you are on the right track with the side options but the roof rack idea will be a PITA to seal up.I have a Kayline Fastrac now but would dump it in a minute for real door seals.

 

[SaddleUp]

Going back to the topic of the doors. Are you hoping to design the softdoors to work with all tops or just your style top? While I think the look of your top is great, having just bought a new softtop means that I am riding this horse for a while. Knowing the dedication and time you are putting into all the products you design, would convince me to hold off on buying softdoors elsewhere and wait for yours. Providing of course they would work with a Bestop.

thanks,
dan

They will be able to work with any of the tops as long as they will still fit a regular door. Probably be similar to the door that is in the picture. Just a couple of things I wantto see if I can update on it. Better sealing and something different on the latches so the door doesn't bounce out of the catch on the trails. Probably offer it with windows (tinted or clear) in the lower half as well. Straps to roll the windows down might also be nice. (To keep the window from hanging down) Before I go too far though I want to look over the production version since the ones on mine are a prototype.

I like the look of the square back as it reminds me of the D90.I think you are on the right track with the side options but the roof rack idea will be a PITA to seal up.I have a Kayline Fastrac now but would dump it in a minute for real door seals.

I don't anticipate any problems sealing it for the roof rack. It will bolt through the sides with plates to seal it. I thought about going through the top but then sealing would be an issue and it would not be as strong. Taking it down with the rack on will be a little more complicated since the mount plates will need to be removed first. Once a rack is on there though I don't think too many will want to put it down in the middle of a trail ride.

 

[ransil]

Take a look at the Besttop doors, they are a pretty good design.

 

[z70what]

shoot us some more pics when you get a chance saddleup.. this thing looks awesome..

Luke

 

[SaddleUp]

shoot us some more pics when you get a chance saddleup.. this thing looks awesome..

Luke

We'll do. I have some orders to knock out for trail covers and trail tops first but then I'll be making the second prototype. When I do I'll get plenty of pictures throughout.

 

[z70what]

well you can definitely count me in on a trail cover....as soon as i get the body put back on the frame and get her up in running in the next few months... you're doing some awesome work saddleup.....keep us posted..
Luke

 

[77BroncoWag]

Rick

Looks awesome! Now I can buy local;D
Can't wait to see the final product. I will be down your way around christmas. Will it be possible to stop by and check it out?

Started reading thru and lost myself %) so these windows will completely come out/unzip?

Matt

 

[roundhouse]

I just want someone to take one of the TJ unlimited tops and cut it down sizewise to fit an EB.

they are great designed tops.

 

[SaddleUp]

Rick

Looks awesome! Now I can buy local;D
Can't wait to see the final product. I will be down your way around christmas. Will it be possible to stop by and check it out?

Started reading thru and lost myself %) so these windows will completely come out/unzip?

Matt

Sure. Just let me know and I'll get you my address.

The current plan is to just have the side and rear panels zip out. This will leave just the top panel over the frame making it a Safari Top when they are removed.

 

[77BroncoWag]

The current plan is to just have the side and rear panels zip out. This will leave just the top panel over the frame making it a Safari Top when they are removed.

Even better!