Homemade soft top for my tacoma.

so....

this is summer.. Are you still in school?

I'd love to see where this goes! I'm thinking of doing something a lot like this soon!

 

hey just curious what tire/size where you running in this photo? also how does your lift feel on the highway im on the fence betwenn ome and toy

Sincerely the 198,000 person who have probably asked you this?

 

.

 

@flyboy.co2 How's this going? I've been searching for a product like this for the same reasons as yours. Functionality and fuel economy!

 

It isn't really going. I haven't had a chance to come back to this. I built a few scale models to dial in the design, and that's where I left it. My needs for the truck have also changed, and a soft topper doesn't make much sense right now.

Sorry! Wish I could say I did something with this... But I didn't

 

Your thread is bad and you should feel bad!

Just kidding. It was a cool concept, I liked the mockup you did on page one....maybe try and pitch/sell the concept to a company that makes them? Never know, they could pick it up. I'd buy one

 

What were your needs for the truck then, and now? Why wouldn't a soft topper make sense, if it's easily removable? I mean obviously you don't always need one but I'm trying see if either of us really need it

I'm really interested in building one myself, but I haven't yet researched how they're built.

 

Thanks man! I like the concept too! I've thought about doing something like that, but I don't know if any manufacturer would be interested in a design like this.

My needs then were as a commuter that I wanted to carry more with than I could my tonneau cover. At the time money was limited, and I've always subscribed to the thought of why buy it if I have the skills to build it. So I designed one that fit my needs that i thought would be relatively inexpensive.

now i need full access to the truck bed all the time. I work in construction and I'm employed full time as a welder. I built a rack that goes over the cab of my truck so I can carry metal, lumber, equipment etc. Having a cap would get in the way for the most part now. It would be something I want on the truck if i camped more or needed to store things in the bed for extended periods or did more highway driving. Sadly I don't get to camp as much as I want because I don't get vacation time. (I work for myself) and I don't go on the highway. It's all rural roads to and from the jobsite to the lumber supply and my home. I'm loading and unloading welding equipment weekly, if not daily that is taller than most caps.

I could build a rack that goes over the soft top cap, but I don't have enough time to tackle all the projects I want to do.... Cue world's smallest violin

To give an idea of what I do with my rack pretty regularly.


All that being said, fabricating the frame would be incredibly easy. You just need access to a tube bender. You could either manufacture fittings, or order the hinges from a boat supply store. Bimini tops are essentially the same thing! Hard part is making a custom canvas pattern. I'm not great with sewing and can't sew canvas. You need a pretty heavy duty machine. That's where I was running into logistical problems.

Sorry for rambling!

 

Ah, that makes a lot of sense. How's the Taco holding up for that kind of work? A rack that went over the soft topper would work, but you'd still probably be opening and closing it constantly. Really, incredibly easy? That's not what I expected, but great news, please ramble on! PM incoming