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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: SiKiD_01 on November 04, 2004, 10:36:03 AM

Title: I got a new soft top made
Post by: SiKiD_01 on November 04, 2004, 10:36:03 AM
got my car back a coupl eof days ago with the new top. pretty happy with it, hasn't caused any dramas yet.

everyone that sees my Vit now says it looks pretty good, but as it always is, you're still not happy. you always want it to be bigger and better.

well, its the only one in Darwin (where i live) thats lifted 6", has 31"s and looks the way it is. so i can probably say its one of a kind here.

let me know what you all think.

laters, Steve
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: SiKiD_01 on November 04, 2004, 10:39:25 AM
maybe i should post some pics too.  ::)

(http://www.eye-irritant.com/august2004/DSC04766.JPG)

(http://www.eye-irritant.com/august2004/DSC04769.JPG)

(http://www.eye-irritant.com/august2004/DSC04770.JPG)
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: lil_Truck on November 04, 2004, 10:45:53 AM
I alway love anything that makes them different.  Looks good.

You must not have kids though.  ;D
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: SiKiD_01 on November 04, 2004, 11:11:25 AM
no, i don't have kids, and its more a 2 seater now, although the back seat is still there, and you can still sit in the back, but you have to lean forward a bit. if you lean back on the seat, well, you can't. but the back easily zips off for passengers (weather permitting).  so its a good compromise.

i think the top is a TAD on the baggy side, and when it rains, water might pool. hasn't rained yet, so i dont know, but it it does, theres an easy fix.
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: 92Sidekick4x4 on November 04, 2004, 11:26:01 AM
how did you make that? i wouldnt mind somehting like that
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: Speedracer7c on November 04, 2004, 11:56:00 AM
looks good
;D
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: spinaltap on November 04, 2004, 12:08:28 PM
Kick ass! (no pun intended ;))
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: HotRod on November 04, 2004, 03:09:35 PM
Looks good. I've been toying around with an Idea like that.
Why doesn't anybody make one?. they have them for Sammies.
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: 92Sidekick4x4 on November 04, 2004, 03:12:09 PM
i think id buy one for mine
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: SiKiD_01 on November 05, 2004, 12:19:41 AM
i've always wanted a top like the one i have now. i heard that they call it a 'fast back' in the states.

so ever since i got my vit, i was planning on getting a top like this made. only, it didn't make top priority. anyway, my dad knows an upholsterer, he does boat and car canvas canopies, tonnue covers for utes and retrims seats and lounges and stuff like that.

and because he hasn't really made a complete top like mine before, it was also a development, trial and error thing, so he was learning too. i got it for $300AUD, BUT that is cheap, compared to $500+AUD from bigger more established companies. a replacement top like the factory one would have set me back $595AUD, so it was worth it anyway.

i came up with a lot of ideas and designs, but in the end, the first and most simplest designs prevailed. so i went with that. i guess it was a one off thing.

like i said, there are a few adjustments that need to be made, but i'll live through it. i'm happy with it, and it didn't cost me my left nut.

i've been getting some mixed reactions from people i know and some i dont. strangers are saying its a sweet little beast, some say its just not right, most say its sik, and even a couple of people made mention to it being a micro hummer! (hummer's fast back is where i got the idea from) so yeah, majority is all good. and from what i know, most of the female comments included the word 'cute', not a word i'd use to describe my vit, but i guess its better than butt ugle or something.

the guy who made it used the old top as a template, so theres almost no chance of using the old top again, (not really worried) he used most of the fittings from the old top, like the little clips on the front swing thing, and the rear corner cup things, but what i like about what he did, was he made all the outer seals tight as, and so no more dusty rides. i can keep the inside clean now.

i'm a bit hesatant about sharing this idea, as i may want to use it in the future, but i'll share it anyway,

well, you see how big the clear rear window is, its not that big when your inside looking out. that window is based on the rear view mirror, and so i have almost 90% visibilty as to when the rear is zipped off. but what i wanted, instead of the semi circle shape, is to make the rear window the shape of the Suzuki badge/logo. so its an S as a window, if you know what i mean. you know the s on the grille, well like that as a window. how cool would that be. anyway, i like it.

i can get photos for anyone who wants to know or see more. just let me know.

and thanks for the comments.
Steve
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: Drone637 on November 05, 2004, 03:23:49 AM
What about having a larger window area then having the Suzuki emblem impressed on it?
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: mudfkr on November 05, 2004, 05:56:47 AM
Looks like a pretty good idea Sikid, very practical thinking   ;)

I hate soft tops for the type of wheeling I do as were all ways bashing through scrub with branches pushing down and and against the top just waiting to puncture it but with your set up you've cut down on a huge area prone to damage but still retained a covered in back.

If you ever want to get a way from those little plastic clips on the front  (that keep braking  :() I brought a top which has a Velcro piece on the front which totally does away with those clips I could post pics to show what I mean if any ones interested.  
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: MUTANT_ZUK on November 05, 2004, 11:48:03 PM
  Looks good Steve ! gives it that streamlined look. M.Z. ;D
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: SiKiD_01 on November 06, 2004, 01:17:15 AM
i got a question for you guys, seeing as i could never zip my old back window up with my old top, (due to humidity and shrinking) could someone let me know if the factory zook zippers allow water penetration?

i cant recall, and i have never come accross any zooks that allows water to pass through the zipper.

if water does not pass through a factory zook zipper, then i got ripped off....again.... as you know, i went out for a drive today, broke a CV, got a bit of dust on the suzi, and a bit of mud, so down to the local carwash, and with the pressure cleaner. i was thinking, wow, is this what it feels like to be able to wash my 'whole' car, but it turns out i was washing some of the inside as well.

not happy frank!

anyway, i was thinking about just velco-ing the whole outer lip/flap in efforts to try and stop water getting to the zip.

bl00dy sh!t!!!!! you think everything's all good, and then you get problem after problem.!

anyone got any ideas?
thanks
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: SiKiD_01 on November 07, 2004, 12:07:46 AM
so, does anyone have any ideas for the question in the post before this one?
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: wildgoody on November 07, 2004, 03:15:00 AM
On the stock tops, there is a flap
of the top vinyl that goes over the
zipper, it's not water proof, but keeps
most of the rain from seeping thru

Wild
Title: Re: I got a new soft top made
Post by: maestro on November 08, 2004, 04:51:21 AM
cool top, i was thinkin of something like that to, but i bought this from bestop, and i am quite satisfied,

(http://www.offroad.no/snitz/uploaded/maestro/bik.jpg)