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Bestop vs Softopper

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by blueburban6, Jan 17, 2012.

  1. Jan 17, 2012 at 11:06 AM
    #1
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am looking into getting a soft cap for my Taco. Does anyone have any comments or concerns on either of the two: Bestop or Softopper?
     
    Savage707ron likes this.
  2. Jan 17, 2012 at 1:05 PM
    #2
    DblD

    DblD Well-Known Member

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    I’ve got the Softopper on my truck. I was initially concerned about visibility with no windows in the side panels. I find myself relying on the side mirrors more than I had before. Not a big deal and I just like the look of the solid side panels. The fit of the Softopper is great and I only get water in the bed when the high pressure car-wash wand is pointed directly at the Velcro closures.

    [​IMG]

    dd
     
  3. Jan 17, 2012 at 1:22 PM
    #3
    SoJersey

    SoJersey South Jersey Defense

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    i also have been looking at these and want to buy one.

    are there ones with zippers and not velcro? like to make it like a jeep soft top?
     
  4. Jan 18, 2012 at 5:30 AM
    #4
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. I have been leaning more twords the softopper. Your truck looks great.
     
  5. Jan 18, 2012 at 5:41 AM
    #5
    Geo Taco

    Geo Taco Well-Known Member

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    Black Softopper
    I am also running a Softopper. I love it, have camped in it once so far and it was great.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Jan 18, 2012 at 5:42 AM
    #6
    easyeatlanta

    easyeatlanta Artificial Intelligence beats natural stupidity

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    I love my bestop
    photo-9_3c35cbe0a110b2c36cd15f561477d601f06a33ec.jpg
    photo1_032e53f13a0b0ab31707ec7ebcfbcf5399bbae79.jpg
     
  7. Jan 18, 2012 at 7:12 AM
    #7
    Wicked 2007

    Wicked 2007 Well-Known Member

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    Softopper and never look back...
     
  8. Jan 18, 2012 at 7:25 AM
    #8
    barlowrs

    barlowrs Well-Known Member

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    Love my bestop, windows zip out so I can have just a canopy, folds down to haul my motorcycle around and closes up to protect my crap, or if I want to sleep back there.....its a great thing.

    IMG_2916_45ca2f79e4ae057a2ddf03e1a0bb21bd1a46f617.jpg
     
  9. Jan 18, 2012 at 8:09 AM
    #9
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    With the Softopper it appears that you need to apply velcro to the tailgate to fasten it closed. Is that correct? How does the Bestop fasten to the tailgate?
     
  10. Jan 18, 2012 at 8:10 AM
    #10
    Wicked 2007

    Wicked 2007 Well-Known Member

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    Correct on the Softopper - velcro works great, although you dont really need it.
     
  11. Jan 18, 2012 at 8:16 AM
    #11
    pudge151

    pudge151 Well-Known Member

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    i have the bestop. i find that the windows are kind of tough to get on and off, and you HAVE to remove them to fold it down, I think that the softtopper sides roll up so you can fold it down. The "windows" are very dark so night visibilty is very poor and in the rain its worse. that being said I love it, i use it all summer but remove it when it gets cold because the fabric gets hard and shrinks. overall I would recommend it though, its just right for my needs, and i got it for $250 on craigslist
     
  12. Jan 18, 2012 at 8:31 AM
    #12
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Without the velcro on the tailgate would it flop around and scratch the gate?
     
  13. Jan 18, 2012 at 8:36 AM
    #13
    barlowrs

    barlowrs Well-Known Member

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    the bestop has a metal bar that runs across (above) the tailgate that the back window anchors too. It also has a seal that mates with the tailgate.
     
  14. Jan 18, 2012 at 8:39 AM
    #14
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I keep looking on Craigslist and hoping to find one but never any luck so I will just buy new. Visibilty is not a concern for me I generally use my mirrors any way. My concern is that I dont want anything rubbing on the paint of my truck. Did you have any issues running it during the winter or you just take it off to be safe?
     
  15. Jan 18, 2012 at 9:30 AM
    #15
    pudge151

    pudge151 Well-Known Member

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    i take it off and put my tonneau on in october so i can transport my 1985 honda 3 wheeler in the bed, in the summer i use my trailer. im pretty sure if i folded it down in the winter it would not go back up and the windows would not go on
     
  16. Jan 18, 2012 at 9:41 AM
    #16
    gooch14

    gooch14 Well-Known Member

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    Bestop, Child Seats, petrified french fry, dog hair, empty Mtn Dew cans cracked windshield, scratches.
    I love my bestop, bought it maybe a month after my truck from streetsideauto and have run it as a canopy, a cap, folded with a bike inside, and without. easy install and un-install. I have no regrets.

    I would think that the softopper vs bestop would all just depend on if you like the look of windows or not on the sides, if you need the windows or not, and if you have the ability to store windows (like said bestops windows must be removed and stowed to fold down)
     
  17. Jan 18, 2012 at 10:03 AM
    #17
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Which Honda 3 wheeler do you have? I have a 1984 Honda Big Red, 1986 Honda Big Red, 2010 Honda 400X and a 2008 Foreman 500s. Love my Honda's.
     
    FredSBrooks likes this.
  18. Jan 18, 2012 at 1:06 PM
    #18
    pudge151

    pudge151 Well-Known Member

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    i have an 85 and 86 250SX. 2 of my buddies have 85 250sx's and one has an 87 Big Red. i love them, i have had a few more over the years but i love the ones i have, they still run perfect. I have an 87 SX is peices right now, started a full refurb with my best friend but he passed away in a car accident this summer so i dont know what im gunna do with it
     
  19. Jan 19, 2012 at 5:27 AM
    #19
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sorry to hear about your friend. I would complete the resto in his honor if I was you. The Honda's are the best. Over the years I have had a few 250sx's.
     
  20. Jan 19, 2012 at 8:27 AM
    #20
    blueburban6

    blueburban6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was leaning twords the Softopper but after looking into it more I like the way the Bestop rear window sits on top of the tailgate, I like the way the roofline of the Bestop doesnt raise up in the back, I like the zippers, and I like the windows. So far the best price I got was from www.4wheelparts.com @ $530.99 delivered.
     

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