ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: harpingeorge on June 25, 2011, 07:21:43 AM
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I ordered and received a new Smitty Bilt soft top for my '88 Samurai. Have followed the installation directions very carefully including the part that says the temperature should be 70 degrees or more. It just doesn't quite stretch far enough to reach the snaps along the rear tub sides. Has anyone installed one of these and is there a trick I am missing or did I receive a defective on.
One of the notes in the instructions talks about a 'stock' bow. How do I know if mine is stock or aftermarket? The Zuki is new to me.
Thanks all for any thoughts suggestions.
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70* might not be hot enough, leave the top draped over the
truck in the sun on a hot day, and go out there mid day and
see if you can get it to fit.
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I agree with Wild.... but I also think that if it's a problem now it will always be a problem. If not more in the future since materials tend to shrink with age.
This leaves you with 3 options. The 1st being contact Smittybuilt and explaining your plight. With some luck the will offer some help or options.
2nd option is to return the top and ask for a refund. Then go buy a competitors top. Bestop / Rampage / Etc...
Last option is to make some modifications.
IE:
Cut the bow down some, redrill the holes. Although this may prove to be a problem if you or somebody else purchases another top in the future and it doesn't fit quite right.
Re-drill or make oblong the plastic mounting block holes in the body to allow some slack in the bow.
Make your own bow out of conduit to fit you top and to suit you desired look.
whichever way you choose just don't get to frustrated.... it'll all work out! ;)
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brandy new soft tops can be a b!tch. they need to stretch a mile, I would wait for 80 degrees or more and a couple extra hands. just leave it on for a few heating cooling cycles before you take it off for the first time.
BTW. IMO smittybuilt products of the past were junk but the company has really changed in the last few years and appear to be making decent products for the average (broke ass) wheeler. :)
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I'D check out on the returning it route,
The top that came with my 87 Sammy when I bought it,
EVERY TIME......
HOT it was a struggle, used Vise Grips to pull it down and snap on.
COLD.....It Ain't Gunna Happen Today Pal.....Tomorrow Either!!!
Bought a "Best Top" from Petroworks, It fits great HOT or COLD, you can throw it on quick in a Rain Storm. LOVE IT
CAPT
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I sent you a PM concerning your top. I think it might help you..... ;)
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I ordered and received a new Smitty Bilt soft top for my '88 Samurai. Have followed the installation directions very carefully including the part that says the temperature should be 70 degrees or more. It just doesn't quite stretch far enough to reach the snaps along the rear tub sides. Has anyone installed one of these and is there a trick I am missing or did I receive a defective on.
One of the notes in the instructions talks about a 'stock' bow. How do I know if mine is stock or aftermarket? The Zuki is new to me.
Thanks all for any thoughts suggestions.
They don't make "aftermarket" bows, so yours is stock.
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I too bought a new smittybuilt top and it is too small. It has set out all day in 70+ direct sunlight. I've got a tracker and it has a full 2 inches to go to hook on the tailgate on back. it's just to small.
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You could try this. Pick a hot sunny day. Get the front half well situated. Slide the two side keepers into the channels. Then gently drape the rear half over the hoop, but leave the hoop in it's disengaged forward position. Snap all the rear snaps onto the hoop. Then pop the hoop into it's engaged position. (You still haven't tried to engage any of the rear side snaps.) Then crank the rear straps down as tight as you can, pulling the rear hoop lower and further back. Those rear straps actually do a lot of the work of aligning the side snaps. Whenever my Rampage top goes awry, its usually because my rear straps have worked loose. Rear straps are your friend when you want a tight top.
If that still doesn't work and you give up on this one, please pm me and I'll buy it off you.
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I went so far as to secure the front, and then used a rachet strap hooked on the back hoop and strung through the rear seatbelt pillars. I left it on for two weeks. Every day I gave it a couple more clicks. I had 3-4 rubber straps hooked to the rachet strap down to the seat bracket on the floor. After two weeks the top was tighter than a snare drum and still had two inches to go to before it would connect to the back door. om top of all of that ... the zipper for the back window is sewn in backwards
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Update:
Still not quite right. I have all the snaps on except the rear right corner, (which I messed up a littel trying to tap into place), one on the back flap right end which has 1 1/2 inches to go and the two front ones on the side, they each have 1 inch further to stretch. The buckles are cheap so one of them broke when I was attempting to tighten them. I cut the buckles off of the old top. Now I'll have to sew them on the new top. I asked Smittybilt what it would take to return it to them but have not heard back.
Too bad I live at 8000 feet. You don't see to many 100 degree days up here.
Thanks for all the replys.
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Update:
Still not quite right. I have all the snaps on except the rear right corner, (which I messed up a littel trying to tap into place), one on the back flap right end which has 1 1/2 inches to go and the two front ones on the side, they each have 1 inch further to stretch. The buckles are cheap so one of them broke when I was attempting to tighten them. I cut the buckles off of the old top. Now I'll have to sew them on the new top. I asked Smittybilt what it would take to return it to them but have not heard back.
Too bad I live at 8000 feet. You don't see to many 100 degree days up here.
Thanks for all the replys.
this is the time to box it up,send it back, that's just not acceptable. its obvious others have had problems with this top too. I would send a polite email with a link to this thread. if your the original purchaser theres no reason they wont take it back.
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Update:
Still not quite right. I have all the snaps on except the rear right corner, (which I messed up a littel trying to tap into place), one on the back flap right end which has 1 1/2 inches to go and the two front ones on the side, they each have 1 inch further to stretch. The buckles are cheap so one of them broke when I was attempting to tighten them. I cut the buckles off of the old top. Now I'll have to sew them on the new top. I asked Smittybilt what it would take to return it to them but have not heard back.
Too bad I live at 8000 feet. You don't see to many 100 degree days up here.
Thanks for all the replys.
this is the time to box it up,send it back, that's just not acceptable. its obvious others have had problems with this top too. I would send a polite email with a link to this thread. if your the original purchaser theres no reason they wont take it back.
X 2
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I have had to use a portable heater blowing on it as it was draped over the truck on a new top in the winter, they need to be super warm/hot to stretch / anyone know of anybody doing the Sunport style top that Bestop used to do, In need of a new one
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Well.... So much for Smitty.... I've managed to tear out one of the snaps.... (purchased a kit with snaps and replaced it now). Both of the buckles on the bow straps broke when I was attempting to tighten them, and that was without using brute force in any way, I'm not a jock or muscleman so they didn't break out of excessive force.
All of the snaps are secure now except the front ones on each side (Those are 3/4 of an inch off and will never get there). The one on the far right end of the tailgate is not there yet but it's headed that way. It's surprising what a little baling wire can do. I looped the wire through the snap hole and down to the tailgate hinge, gave it a few twist to pull it tight and then after a day twisted in a few more times, then another day and a couple more twists, two, three more weeks and I just might have it......
Smitty never did get back to me. I'm not thinking I will be buying too many more products from them.
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If you give up on it, please let me know. I've been looking for a mis-fit Sammy top to make into a safari top, IE no sides or back. BTW, my aftermarket Rampage top fits like a glove, and comes off and goes back on without issues. AND it actually keeps the inside dry in the rain!
Seriously, if your top is torn up by trying to make it fit, I would be interested in what's left. Send me an email or pm.