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How long does it take to put your softtop on?

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Offline keith

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How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« on: July 15, 2004, 03:12:18 PM »
Today I timed myself putting the top on my 90 Tracker.  It took 7 minutes without really rushing, just keeping moving constantly.  How long does it take to put yours on or take it off?

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Offline 90Stomper

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2004, 03:33:44 PM »
10 to 15 min on my G/Fs 93, i only do it about once a year.  7 min is pretty good. 8)
2004 chevy tracker, 4door, V6
says 'Chevy' on the outside,
but its covered with lots of big 'S's on the inside ;)

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Offline explosivo

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2004, 03:41:01 PM »
My hard top took me about 30 minutes to take off ;) (refer to other thread ;D)
omghi2.us[/url]
"Its a ZUKI thing. Doing more with less than less with more." -- HotRod

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Offline Digger

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2004, 06:05:35 PM »
It only takes me about 5 minutes and that's without rushing, but I am picky about how I take it down so it goes up faster. Plus when mine's down, it looks all nice and neat rolled up on the rear bar tucked down just in front of the spare tire... all too often I see Trackers running around topless with the top completely taken off, snaps and all, and just wadded up and stuffed behind the rear seat! ::) It makes me laugh...

Here's how I do it, not sure if it's the "right" way to do it or not, but it works for me:

Release front clips and swing front section back sunroof style.

Unzip rear window and let it lay down against the inside of the tailgate.

Un-velcro the side windows from their frames and unhook the rear corners.

Swing sides up and lay them on top of the rear roof section(leaving the tension straps on either side of the sunroof connected and all snaps still snapped, even the two on either side of the dome light).

Unclip the front section from the front frame and lay the fabric back on top of the rear sides. Clip the front frame back into it's closed position.

unhook the rear tube's lower legs and swing the main rear hoop forward all the way until it's above the targa section.

Take the fabric hanging down behind the targa and fold it up over the main rear hoop again, then unsnap the side tension straps and use them to wrap around the fabric to hold it in place(you have to give the strap a half turn to get it to snap again).

Now you have a nice compact roll on the rear hoop. Just unsnap the two snaps on either side of the dome light and lay the whole hoop back just in front of the spare. It goes up really fast from this configuration. Just do everything in reverse and you're covered from rain after the first three steps!
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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Offline Kreg

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2004, 06:30:04 PM »
When I still had my soft top I got pretty quick at it.  Probabaly down in the 5 min area too.

The new hard top is easy to take off.  Putting it back on all by yourself is a pain in the arse though.  >:(

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Offline keith

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2004, 01:09:05 AM »
Digger, thanks for the write up.  I will have to try your method.  Snapping the top back on the support bar is always a pain.  It will be nice to not have to do that.

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Offline LawDog

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2004, 01:53:32 AM »
Wow, that makes my Sammi top seem simple.  Although it seems like a pain to get the damn thing to line up just right lately.  That's why i'm going to the bikini, WJ, duster setup.
"I'm the Law 'round here" said the Duckshirt.

Get a Zuk, Get it dirty, Git-R-Done!!

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Offline Digger

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2004, 06:13:02 AM »
It's actually much easier than it looks... things always seem to look so much more difficult when you try to describe it with words...

It is nice leaving the rear bar snaps all in place, plus you don't lose ANY cargo space at all for the top itself. The tension straps seem to be made for holding the whole top in a roll on the bar, too, they're just the right size...

maybe I ought to take some pics and make up a better write up about how I do it... anyone interested? if so, I'll do it.
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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Offline keith

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2004, 06:27:02 AM »
Quote

maybe I ought to take some pics and make up a better write up about how I do it... anyone interested? if so, I'll do it.


Please do post some pics.  That would be great.  Thanks.

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Offline Digger

  • 1991
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  • 1996 Suzuki X-90 4X4
Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2004, 07:44:59 AM »
No problem! here they are!

Step one: Open sunroof and zip out back window


Step two: unclip rear corners and un velcro side windows, then lay them on top.


Step three: Unclip front from frame and lay it back on top. Clip front frame back in closed position.


Step four: Swing rear bar up over targa section.


Step five: fold hanging fabric back up over rear bar and secure with the tension straps from either side of the sunroof.


Step six: Unsnap the snaps on either side of the dome light and swing the rear bar down just in front of spare tire. Tuck the flap with the two snaps into the fold.


All down! to go back up, swing it up, snap the two snaps, let it go back and clip the front in and you're covered. just velcro in the windows, clip in the rear corners and zip in the rear window and you're fully covered again.
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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Offline keith

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2004, 08:03:28 AM »
Very cool.  I will have to try that.  How long does it take you to put the top down using this method?  Also what do the side window shades do for you?  Thanks.

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Offline Digger

  • 1991
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  • 1996 Suzuki X-90 4X4
Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2004, 08:24:09 AM »
you mean the ventshades on the front door windows? they shade some sun out as well as letting you run with the front windows down a couple inches in the rain without any rain getting in.

It only takes me about 5 or 6 minutes to take the top down this way and it's well worth any extra effort over just ripping the top the whole way off and stuffing it behind the seat! I also run it in safari mode with the same top, I just roll the sides up under, letting the rear corners hold it in place against the rear bar and I add a small strap to each side, strapping the rear bar to the seat belt towers to hold the tension so I can flip the sunroof open this way.

When opening the sunroof, make sure to fold the fabric back as the frame flips back so it doesn't get pinched by the hinges, causing a split in the fabric. Plus this lets the sunroof open wider. See my first pic above to get the idea of what I'm saying...

Also I noticed when running with the sunroof open, it's a good idea to zip open the back window to help stabilize the air inside the rig and help keep the rest of the top from flapping around as much.
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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spinaltap

Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2004, 09:15:30 AM »
Great tips digger, I've been trying to figure a way to roll the top up more neatly, especially since I put the storage box behind the rear seats...I'll give your method a try this aft...driving home in sunny 86F for my 70mi commute home :)

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SpinalTap

Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2004, 12:03:42 PM »
I just got home and your top method works great  ;D Thanks dude!!

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Offline HotRod

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Re: How long does it take to put your softtop on?
« Reply #14 on: July 16, 2004, 02:55:00 PM »
I like that Idea. Gonna have to go out and try that too ;D  The only difference I got is the side windows zip out.

Thanks for the info.
95 2dr Geo Tracker with Calmini 6"inch combo lift, 32'inch BFGs M/Tlocked and loaded--D.D is my 06 Racy RED Aerio SX AWD