soft top Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stivic · 09-02-2004, 10:26 PM

Just looking for info on soft tops,how many kinds there are,cost,do some leak less than others. My blazer came with a top i don't know what kind. It has a couple of holes and leaks at the seams, It needs to be repaired or replaced
which way is cheaper.

*71 Blazer CST man* · 09-11-2004, 09:42 PM

bumped

bouncytruck · 09-12-2004, 11:46 AM

I'm only aware of 2 manufactures - Specialty Top Co and Bestop. Specialty Top Co makes two types - Fastrack and Button Down. I don't know too much about the Bestop brand. Kayline used to make tops but they went out of business and Specialty Top Co uses their patterns. I have an old Kayline top on my '69 and it works pretty well. There are a few leaks around the door windows, but nothing more than a hard top does. The zippers in the back are a weak point and mine are broken. I recently bought a Specialty Top Co Fastrack top for my '72 but I haven't had a chance to install it. They run around $650 and the button down top is a little less.

keota · 09-15-2004, 12:05 AM

BESTOP has 2 different styles.....costing $650 to $700. I've had 3 BESTOPS and one KAYLINE and they both were about the same in quality,fit and lasting about the same length of time before rips and tears started appearing.

Vlad · 09-15-2004, 02:41 AM

I have a STC fasttrack. I really think the make a great quality top. I you decide you can't salvage yours Stc has several colors and styles to choose from. They are about $600.00 or so

*71 Blazer CST man* · 09-15-2004, 03:22 AM

i'd love to see closer if you have pics vlad

Vlad · 09-15-2004, 11:00 AM

I do have more pics. Only problem is I can't post them on this site because of file size restictions . They were taken at a large resolution and i don't know how how to reduce them. If you want to give me your email address I would be happy to email you what ever angles you want to see.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-15-2004, 11:41 AM

I will PM you, you can send them to me and I will resize and post them for you if you want.

Vlad · 09-15-2004, 12:57 PM

Thanks alot if you could do that for me. do you want a broad overview of the top? Or do you want specific details such as the frame's, mounting harware and acces.Let me know I can take get you what ever details you like.

*71 Blazer CST man* · 09-15-2004, 10:07 PM

how many pics do you have, pm sent

Edit: HEre ya go

well i messed up the rest you e-mailed me. Deleted them before i realized they didnt save as a proper file. If you feel like re-sending some i'll get'm up.

71jimmy · 09-16-2004, 02:07 AM

Don't mean to interrupt, but that is an AWESOME looking JIMMY!!!!!!!!!

Vlad, please post specs! Lift, tires, motor, trans etc etc etc.

RULES

sorry guys and gals, don't see too many jimmys.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-16-2004, 09:52 AM

Here are the other pics. Awesome K5!

Vlad · 09-16-2004, 11:21 AM

Big Big thanks goes out to YUKON JACK and BLAZER CST MAN for helping me Post those pics. I truly am tech.challenged.
The Rig has;
350 w/all edelbrock accessories mated to a 350 trans, Np205 ,Dana44/12bolt w/410's and eton lockers. super lift 4" soft ride w/Rs5000 shocks,and a 3" body lift. STC Fasttrac top, Valspar (majestic blue) paint. Gray tweed int. All sitting on 36x14.5X15 super swamper TSL radials mounted on M/T Classic 2's

71jimmy · 09-16-2004, 12:46 PM

Vlad, how did you get your jimmy to sit level? I assume you put 4 inch springs in the rear also. Did you need to tweak the rear to get it to look level with the front? Awsome man!

How about including the JIMMY in the "how many 4 wheel drive blazers do we have" thread.

Vlad · 09-16-2004, 01:34 PM

Well with the way the bodyline on the rear quarter panel seems to sweep downward,puting level springs front and rear still gave it the appearance of dragging its ass. So I took the rear springs to my local spring shop and had them rearched to add one more inch of height.Before when I set a bubble level on top of the bed rail it was plumb. Now the level will bubble up toward the rear of the truck slightly.

stingray72 · 09-16-2004, 01:40 PM

Vlad. Do you have any pics of the top folded back? I'd like to see how it looks when it's down Thanks.. Stinger

Vlad · 09-16-2004, 01:53 PM

Sorry I don't have any photos of the top down,as i have never had it down. I think if i ever decided to go "topless" I figure I would just remove the top and bows completely,for a more streamlined look.

71Blazer · 09-16-2004, 05:24 PM

Whoa, that's nice!

LUV2XCLR8 · 09-16-2004, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad

Big Big thanks goes out to YUKON JACK and BLAZER CST MAN for helping me Post those pics. I truly am tech.challenged.
The Rig has;
350 w/all edelbrock accessories mated to a 350 trans, Np205 ,Dana44/12bolt w/410's and eton lockers. super lift 4" soft ride w/Rs5000 shocks,and a 3" body lift. STC Fasttrac top, Valspar (majestic blue) paint. Gray tweed int. All sitting on 36x14.5X15 super swamper TSL radials mounted on M/T Classic 2's

LOOKS GOOD, CLASSIC 2'S WIDTH, 10 OR 12, I CAN TELL THEY ARE NOT 8'S.

stivic · 09-16-2004, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the info guys. My top must be a old k-line it is a button style and has had a few repairs. Should replace it with the one vlad has it looks great.
i'll start saving.Hey yukon i had the same problem as vlad with my pics can you help me out.

dujobu · 07-21-2014, 01:29 PM

Resurrecting an old thread here. Vlad, any chance you could post some close-up pics of the front section of the soft top frame around the doors and windshield? I just got a Fasttrac but no instructions came with it. So I'm having a hard time figuring out how some parts of it go together.

grillzy · 07-24-2014, 07:44 PM

these guys made a top too http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/softtops.htm

bouncytruck · 07-25-2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grillzy

these guys made a top too http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/softtops.htm

Awesome. The hardware looks nice and the description says there is only 5 holes to drill in a first gen blazer. Has anyone ordered one yet?

Rochlow · 07-25-2014, 02:26 PM

I had the top on my first generation blazer and it's garbage!! Quarter size holes in the top and bottom of the side glass. You had to wrestle with it to get it to snap tight and with zero miles on it the seam for the window and top slipt apart.

I called softtopper multiple times and left messages, not once did they call me back.

mtully79 · 07-25-2014, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grillzy

these guys made a top too http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/softtops.htm

Looks like they are just a distributor selling Softtopper brand. Did they at one time make their own original top?

09-02-2004, 10:26 PM	#1
stivic Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: hope,british columbia Posts: 18	soft top Questions Just looking for info on soft tops,how many kinds there are,cost,do some leak less than others. My blazer came with a top i don't know what kind. It has a couple of holes and leaks at the seams, It needs to be repaired or replaced which way is cheaper.

09-12-2004, 11:46 AM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	I'm only aware of 2 manufactures - Specialty Top Co and Bestop. Specialty Top Co makes two types - Fastrack and Button Down. I don't know too much about the Bestop brand. Kayline used to make tops but they went out of business and Specialty Top Co uses their patterns. I have an old Kayline top on my '69 and it works pretty well. There are a few leaks around the door windows, but nothing more than a hard top does. The zippers in the back are a weak point and mine are broken. I recently bought a Specialty Top Co Fastrack top for my '72 but I haven't had a chance to install it. They run around $650 and the button down top is a little less. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

09-15-2004, 11:41 AM	#8
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,689	I will PM you, you can send them to me and I will resize and post them for you if you want. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-15-2004, 10:07 PM	#10
71 Blazer CST man Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nor Cal, Sonoma Posts: 324	how many pics do you have, pm sent Edit: HEre ya go well i messed up the rest you e-mailed me. Deleted them before i realized they didnt save as a proper file. If you feel like re-sending some i'll get'm up. Attached Images Last edited by 71 Blazer CST man; 09-16-2004 at 12:35 AM.

09-16-2004, 02:07 AM	#11
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,083	Don't mean to interrupt, but that is an AWESOME looking JIMMY!!!!!!!!! Vlad, please post specs! Lift, tires, motor, trans etc etc etc. RULES sorry guys and gals, don't see too many jimmys. __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

09-11-2004, 09:42 PM	#2
71 Blazer CST man Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nor Cal, Sonoma Posts: 324	bumped

09-15-2004, 12:05 AM	#4
keota Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 52	BESTOP has 2 different styles.....costing $650 to $700. I've had 3 BESTOPS and one KAYLINE and they both were about the same in quality,fit and lasting about the same length of time before rips and tears started appearing.

09-15-2004, 02:41 AM	#5
Vlad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: L.A. Ca Posts: 43	I have a STC fasttrack. I really think the make a great quality top. I you decide you can't salvage yours Stc has several colors and styles to choose from. They are about $600.00 or so

09-15-2004, 03:22 AM	#6
71 Blazer CST man Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nor Cal, Sonoma Posts: 324	i'd love to see closer if you have pics vlad

09-15-2004, 11:00 AM	#7
Vlad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: L.A. Ca Posts: 43	I do have more pics. Only problem is I can't post them on this site because of file size restictions . They were taken at a large resolution and i don't know how how to reduce them. If you want to give me your email address I would be happy to email you what ever angles you want to see.

09-15-2004, 12:57 PM	#9
Vlad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: L.A. Ca Posts: 43	Thanks alot if you could do that for me. do you want a broad overview of the top? Or do you want specific details such as the frame's, mounting harware and acces.Let me know I can take get you what ever details you like.

09-16-2004, 09:52 AM	#12
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,689	Here are the other pics. Awesome K5! Attached Images __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 Last edited by Yukon Jack; 09-16-2004 at 09:54 AM.

09-16-2004, 11:21 AM	#13
Vlad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: L.A. Ca Posts: 43	Big Big thanks goes out to YUKON JACK and BLAZER CST MAN for helping me Post those pics. I truly am tech.challenged. The Rig has; 350 w/all edelbrock accessories mated to a 350 trans, Np205 ,Dana44/12bolt w/410's and eton lockers. super lift 4" soft ride w/Rs5000 shocks,and a 3" body lift. STC Fasttrac top, Valspar (majestic blue) paint. Gray tweed int. All sitting on 36x14.5X15 super swamper TSL radials mounted on M/T Classic 2's

09-16-2004, 12:46 PM	#14
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,083	Vlad, how did you get your jimmy to sit level? I assume you put 4 inch springs in the rear also. Did you need to tweak the rear to get it to look level with the front? Awsome man! How about including the JIMMY in the "how many 4 wheel drive blazers do we have" thread. __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

09-16-2004, 01:34 PM	#15
Vlad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: L.A. Ca Posts: 43	Well with the way the bodyline on the rear quarter panel seems to sweep downward,puting level springs front and rear still gave it the appearance of dragging its ass. So I took the rear springs to my local spring shop and had them rearched to add one more inch of height.Before when I set a bubble level on top of the bed rail it was plumb. Now the level will bubble up toward the rear of the truck slightly.



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09-16-2004, 01:40 PM	#16
stingray72 Red Headed Step Child Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,216	Vlad. Do you have any pics of the top folded back? I'd like to see how it looks when it's down Thanks.. Stinger __________________ "Dinner, the perfect break between work and drunk" -Homer Simpson

09-16-2004, 01:53 PM	#17
Vlad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: L.A. Ca Posts: 43	Sorry I don't have any photos of the top down,as i have never had it down. I think if i ever decided to go "topless" I figure I would just remove the top and bows completely,for a more streamlined look.

09-16-2004, 05:24 PM	#18
71Blazer Goodbye Darlin' Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Coupeville, WA USA Posts: 330	Whoa, that's nice! __________________ 1971 Blazer CST SOLD!

09-16-2004, 09:30 PM	#20
stivic Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: hope,british columbia Posts: 18	Thanks for the info guys. My top must be a old k-line it is a button style and has had a few repairs. Should replace it with the one vlad has it looks great. i'll start saving.Hey yukon i had the same problem as vlad with my pics can you help me out.

07-21-2014, 01:29 PM	#21
dujobu Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 639	Re: soft top Questions Resurrecting an old thread here. Vlad, any chance you could post some close-up pics of the front section of the soft top frame around the doors and windshield? I just got a Fasttrac but no instructions came with it. So I'm having a hard time figuring out how some parts of it go together.

07-24-2014, 07:44 PM	#22
grillzy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: belleville ontario Posts: 354	Re: soft top Questions these guys made a top too http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/softtops.htm

07-25-2014, 02:26 PM	#24
Rochlow Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Albans, Vt Posts: 2,520	Re: soft top Questions I had the top on my first generation blazer and it's garbage!! Quarter size holes in the top and bottom of the side glass. You had to wrestle with it to get it to snap tight and with zero miles on it the seam for the window and top slipt apart. I called softtopper multiple times and left messages, not once did they call me back. __________________ ///Relaxed Atmosphere

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