Let's See Some Softoppers

DrTaco, man that looks great! Any other shots from different angles? Also is that the black color? Hard to tell from that angle.

 

Thanks! It is black, I will see if I can dig up some more pics for ya.

 

How about Manny! @bknudtsen

 

Thanks ERMB, that helps with the tan color. It's prob gonna be between the tan or the black.

 

tan on mica works
tan on white works
tan on green works

black on anything else imho

 

here are a couple other angles, don't know if it helps.

 

Black Softopper on magnetic gray AC.
No making fun of my hubcaps. She's an SR5 4x4

 

Looks awesome! Thanks

 

Comparing a long bed to a short bed, it appears Softopper uses the same frame for both applications and a different skin and frame rails. It sits so much higher, compared to the roof line, on short beds than long beds.

Anyone?

 

I agree with Jefes, that's honestly my only reservation in ordering one. I wish the company would address this. In all pictures I've seen it shows the short bed topper sitting significantly higher than the access cabs or DCLBs (same bed I know). I have actually been wondering if there is a way, a DIY method "dropping down" the frame a couple inches to match the height of the cab. Like repositioning the fastening locations of the bows to the bed rails. I would think this would be beneficial anyway for less drag and wind resistance.

 

I've got a bestop so not really familiar with the pivot point on the Softopper, but if the pivot point were lowered some might make a difference. Other side of that is you will have a looseness to the material.

 

Exactly

 

nope, you'd need all new fabric as well (or have a tailor or parachute shop resew it for you).

otherwise the snaps would be saggy

 

^^^yep, seems like too much trouble, I may give SOFTTOPPER a call and see if they have had any other inquiries about this or see what it would take for them to tweak one a bit. I'm sure it would be a whole huge process for them because I'm sure they have patterns, jigs, dyes, etc. already set. Might be worth a call though

 

maybe ford or gm or jeep someone else has the same dimensions bed and you can just order some other
softopper, but the risk is it'll still be high

 

I bet they can easily do it. say, I want a short bed tacoma model but 2 inches lower...they can cut and drill the top bars lower and sew the snaps higher should be cake...just may need to wait a week or 5. the front flap and rear door may be droopy

 

^^ true, I bet you are right. I bet they can do it, just might take a little longer because of the "custom" part of it. Seems simple in my head, but might involve more than I think. But I agree, it should just involve shortening the bars and raising the snaps, and actually I wouldn't mind keeping the front and back windows as they come because that might mean better leak protection as they would sit a little lower on the bed

 

Also I have heard they have excellent customer service. I bet they would work with me

 

No experience with 2nd gens and a Softopper, but I have had a Softopper for the 1st gen extended cab and my current 1st gen DC. I bought the Softopper for the DC before the Softopper for the extend cab sold and I got to compare the two - Unfortunately the pic's I took are at home and i'm at work, but the vertical bars for the 6ft were about an inch longer than the 5ft version. My understanding from Softopper (I emailed them to check compatibility with other trucks when I put it for sale) was that my 6ft Softopper would fit a 2nd gen but would need different bed rail clamps since the 2nd gens have the utility tracks. The pics i posted are of both trucks and there really isn't a difference in height between the two. But I agree, great costumer service and great product.

 

Just emailed SOFTTOPPER asking about "custom" orders, specifically lowering the height of the top to be even with the cab especially on the DCSB models. I'll report back with what they say.