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Soft Top Vs Hard Top

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Offline Mudflinger

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Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« on: September 22, 2003, 02:03:50 AM »

How weatherproof is a bog-standard stock 'zuki soft top ?  ???

With winter creeping in and my wallet sorely depleted at present, I'm just a bit anxious at the prospect of snow and driving rain....

:P


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jdraper

Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2003, 02:13:35 AM »
I run my Zuk soft top year round.  It keeps the rain and snow out pretty well.  The only place I have water leakage is right at the top corners at the windshield.  It's a little chilly in the winter, but with the price of hardtops, I'll stay with the soft top.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2003, 02:14:31 AM by jdraper »
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2003, 02:55:39 AM »
What kind of Zuke is that one in the photo???
Oh and the top, I never had a hard top, only
gone through 2 soft tops in 14 years, bout time
for a new full top tho.
Darrin
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Offline Mudflinger

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2003, 03:07:17 AM »
 :-[ gaah! wrong photo.... there, thats more like it.

I take it that you were happy with your soft tops then Darrin?

I can handle cold, its the wet that bugs me.
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Offline Zukipilot

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2003, 03:31:05 AM »
I have had soft tops the entire time I've owned my Kick, and they always keep me dry. The only down fall is the cold in the winter. My heater sucks, so it's COLD with a soft top. Last year I started running my windjammer rear window with my full top, and with it only needing to heat half of the cab, it's alot warmer.
Zig
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Offline Mikerpm4x4

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2003, 09:53:50 AM »
I run soft tops all year round and it gets plenty cold here. I do have a bitchin heater though. I know a couple of guys running hard tops and oddly enough they both complain of leakage where back window and tailgte meet.  :-/ I would just run the soft top. Besides, what do you do with it all summer? Kick it around the garage? Besides, Its a pain to remove and install. Soft tops weigh less and you can take it with you.

Mike
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2003, 01:30:40 PM »
I never had any wet problems with the soft top,
the worst time I had was with a 40 MPH side wind
lifting up the top over the door and letting in a
little rain, just enough to get a few sprinkles on
you, not bad, as long as you keep the support
rod in the bottom of the back window, it's rain proof,
and there is nothing like being in a tent year round,
you can hear everything going on outside.

Darrin
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Offline Eonknight

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2003, 02:44:30 PM »
I have both hard and soft top (they came with the truck) and I don't have any leaks with either. The only way water enters the cab with the soft top is when highway driving (60+ mph), my son tells me a little rain comes in at the bottom front edge of the rear side windows. The strap with the snap doesn't hold the side windows tight against the body. But that's is. As for heating in winter, if you let it warm up for half a day, the cab should get to a comfy temp, even in subzero (F) temperatures...  ;D
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jdraper

Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2003, 12:08:09 AM »
For this winter, I'm about ready to order one of JC Whitney's auxiliary heaters that runs off the cig lighter.  Getting tired of having to scrape the inside of the windshield on the way to work in the morning  ;D.  Or I could be smart and drive my '01 Explorer that sits in the nice, heated garage instead, but that would be too easy!! :P
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Offline Mudflinger

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2003, 07:42:39 PM »
fortunately i don't travel into work in my wee beastie, so when i do take her out in the frosty months I'll generally have time enough to warm her up properly.

I'm going to be getting a new soft top soon though, as the one thats currently fitted isn't closing properly at the back, nor sitting along the back corners (by the rear lights) like its supposed to. Plus the zip is stripped.

Are the Bestop covers a decent investment? At £240 I want to make sure before I give my bank manager another aneurism  ;)
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Offline Zukipilot

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #10 on: September 23, 2003, 09:41:35 PM »
I have been running Besttop for years and they have always been a good product for me.
Zig
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2003, 02:23:22 AM »
I have a Bestop, it was OE on my 4u2 Vitara thats now 3 years old. It holds up to the English weather without any problems. Just don't try to flex the plastic windows when they're frosted up, I don't even try to scrape mine I just use the mirrors instead.
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Offline Mudflinger

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2003, 03:14:22 AM »
thx for the tip re the frosty bits, I'll keep that in mind.

I've found a company that provides softies for half the price that I was originally quoted though  :D

Has anyone ever used these guys before:

4x4accessoriesandtyres.com/product_pages/soft_tops.html


« Last Edit: September 24, 2003, 04:39:05 AM by ebewley »
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Offline bluezuked

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2003, 11:05:25 AM »
I bought a bestop this summer and it's great.  Very plyable and easy to get into place even when it's cold.  By far better than the POS that was on there before.

I bought mine online at  tops4less.com

Good price and good people to work with.
« Last Edit: September 24, 2003, 11:07:34 AM by ebewley »
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Soft Top Vs Hard Top
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2003, 07:10:26 PM »
What I like about the bestop is that I can take all the windows out but leave the top up if I need a bit of shade. Usually after the first really hot day of summer when I've got quite burnt.
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