Soft top done...but some of the fit seems off...see pics.

[Rmally]

Well, I finally got the soft top installed.....kinda.

It is a Rampage top but it just doesn't seem right in places. I have no idea how they are supposed to fit but could those who have these tops throw some input my way.

Here are my questions:

1. The top is not super snug....should it be? I did measure and I was right at 84" from windshield to tailgate.

2. How is it supposed to fit or look when door is closed....is mine way off or is this normal.

3. On the tail gate does the top tuck under like I show in pictures or does it go another way. The instructions basically SUCK and offer no value to the finishing touches.

Thanks fella's

Randy

 

[g8rb8t]

The heat will help tighten it up some. Put it out in the sun.

The tailgate matches how mine attaches. For the door openings, did you wrap the seam around and put it into the "u" channel on the door upright?

Great looking truck by the way!

 

[g8rb8t]

Pic #8 is where I was talking about tucking. Maybe you left undone for pics. My doors look very similar.

 

[clarrance]

The heat will help tighten it up some. Put it out in the sun.

The tailgate matches how mine attaches. For the door openings, did you wrap the seam around and put it into the "u" channel on the door upright?

Great looking truck by the way!

The sun and heat will loosen up the top even more. It will not tighten up the top.

 

[Rustytruck]

Picture 4 look at the back bow. Bow is in the middle hole of youe u shaped bracket. this is your tension adjustment. Push the white sleeve up to clear the bracket with the three holes rotate that Bracket back against the bow tube this raises the back tube up and locks it in place. The 3 holes are your tension adjustment you may have to go to the lower hole if the tension is too much.Shoud have a good snap when it locks in place. watch your fingers that thing will bite you good if given a chance.

 

[xcntrk]

Picture 4 look at the back bow. Bow is in the middle hole of youe u shaped bracket. this is your tension adjustment. Push the white sleeve up to clear the bracket with the three holes rotate that Bracket back against the bow tube this raises the back tube up and locks it in place. The 3 holes are your tension adjustment you may have to go to the lower hole if the tension is too much.Shoud have a good snap when it locks in place. watch your fingers that thing will bite you good if given a chance.

You don't have the rear bow locked in place!

Watch this vid, specifically around the 1:05 mark and beyond:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDYDQ507n1U

Also as mentioned you don't have the door pieces tucked into the door channels.

 

[bmc69]

The sun and heat will loosen up the top even more. It will not tighten up the top.

That. I've always made sure I installed soft tops on a hot day and stretched as tight everywhere as I could get it. That one looks VERY loose for an initial install. Hope the tension bow fixes everything without making it too tight.....

 

[g8rb8t]

The sun and heat will loosen up the top even more. It will not tighten up the top.

I'm backwards today. Thanks for keeping me straight

 

[Rmally]

You guys are great.....I didn't even realize the back bow wasn't locked into position. That sure snugged it up quite a bit. The video really cleared a lot up so many thanks for the link.

I'm having trouble however getting the side door pieces to tuck in....they wont reach the channel. The top part goes in fine but I just don't have enough "reach" to get the sides tucked in........any ideas?

Thanks for all the help, every post was very beneficial.


PS....Also didn't know if anyone has come across this issue but on my right side window one of the plastic channels on the window itself is "crushed" or was made very, very close so it will not go into the frame rail. I tried spreading it open with various tools but no use. I'm thinking of trying my heat gun but wanted to see if anyone else has had this issue and how you corrected it before I risked using the gun.

 

[BNC04]

Side panel channel

I had the same issue with the channel being crushed in one area and causing us fits !

I tried to manipulate it with pliers and placing a drill bit in there to hold it open for a while no avail.

I then took a 6 foot long piece of 1" angle iron I had and slipped the window channel over the angle iron edge along its length and set in the sun to heat up for a few hours. This allowed me to lightly tap and manipulate it into better shape with a hammer.

By the way, I'm using the same method to store them from the ceiling of the garage. One piece of angle iron sitting in some 2x4 brackets will hold both windows.

Brett

 

[Rmally]

Thanks Brett,

I'll give it a try, that will be a lot safer than the ole heat gun.

 

[Rmally]

Last Question.........(I hope)


When the doors are closed there is no way I'm keeping rain out because I can see thru the gap at the top. Are you guys just putting weather stripping on the top of the door for this? If so will generic work or do I need a special piece.

Thanks again.

 

[broncodriver99]

How about a pic?

It took me a while to get my door frames adjusted properly, but now they are tight and weather "resistant"

 

[Rmally]

How about a pic?

It took me a while to get my door frames adjusted properly, but now they are tight and weather "resistant"

After looking at it again it appears the down rod is keeping it too high. I made a very crude temporary piece so I wouldn't have to drill into the body. Should I cut some of the down rod?

PS...please over look the over spray, all new rubber is on order....:-[

Also, this down rod adapter piece is just temporary. I was impatient and just wanted the top on ASAP without drilling. I need to find a better solution, what have others used?

 

[broncodriver99]

Yes you are going to have to cut that rod. Most people have made something similar to you but heavier metal.

Here is a good start. http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218165&highlight=rampage

 

[broncodriver99]

I made mine out of aluminum and made it go all the way back and but up against the side rail to keep it from moving around once bolted down. Some aluminum stock, a hacksaw, and a fine file will get it done in no time. Just bevel all of your edges to prevent scratches. You can also find a rubber boot to stick on the bottom of the rod to keep it from scratching the top of your striker post.

 

[broncodriver99]

Also, remember to trim the bottom of the rod a little at a time until you get the fitment that you want. Whoever had my STC top(predecessor to the Rampage) before me got happy with a saw and cut it too short. I had to add material to be able to close my doors.

 

[Rustytruck]

Your down rod adapter would be fine if it was a 1/4" thick. If you want the top to fit good around the doors You wiill have to bend, cut & tweek the rods to get a good fit around the doors. Let your door be the guide. On my old STC top which was the old design that Rampage took over it was helpful to add some soft sticky back weather stripping to put between the top skin and the door frames to give the closed door some squish which helps sealing up the major stuff.