I'm thinking about trying to make a soft top for my 4runner. I think I could get away a heck of lot cheaper than buying one. I'm doing some research on where to find material. Anyone every tried this task???

Yes, $$-wise, it's cheaper. But how much is your time worth?


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O/T but.. didn't can-back die off for awhile?

good to see them back <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

See my post. Bought and moved to AZ.

I used to have one of the old Kayline tops on one of my previous 4Runners. I didn't like the way they wanted you to mount the rails to the bed by drilling holes so I made my own brackets like Roger did. It worked great. So last year I started to put together the items needed to try and make a similar top with the clear side windows and clear rear zipper window. Putting together the right grade vinyl, the clear plastic, the zippers, snaps, rails, top bows, etc is not that inexpensive. Then you still need to get the vinyl cut and sewn together properly so it won't leak or tear. So if you don't have your own heavy duty sewing machine and the ability to sew it, I think you would still come out $400-500 into it if you have to pay an upholstery shop. At that price, might as well buy the Kayline(STC http://www.specialtytopco.com/) setup that's ready to go. If you don't want clear sides and a clear rear panel you can probably drop that price a bit but it's nice to be able to see. I never finished the project and all the parts are still sitting in my garage.

4 crawler thanks for the write up!!! That is just what I was looking for!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

This saying has always bugged me; I do not put a dollar amount on working on my rig, motorcycles, or a woodworking project. I do these as a hobby for relaxation and stress reliving. Therefore, my time doing this stuff has no dollar value. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I totally agree. But when you have a HOST of stuff to do, plus kids, job, Cub Scouts, and the rest of life in general, you have to pick and choose where your free time goes. I don't mean to say my free time has dollar value, but it is " worth " something to me.

I've spent quite a bit of time looking into thsi as well.
The difficult/expensive part is finding teh right fabric at an affordable rate. For small things like a bikini top, you can kind of get away with basic cloth-backed vinyl scraps found at a local fabric store, for maybe $5-$10 a yard. The downside to thsi stuff is that it will stretch over time, and wil lrequire extra sewing aroudn grommets etc.
Thick canvas (like the Can-backs) is nice, but pricy by the yard, and you'll need several yards for a whole top. Plus it's not so easy to sew with, as mentioend above, need a good machine, strong needle, and patience galore.
I ocne stumbled across a bunch of fabric that is ideal, stashed in a scrap bin at a local store. They didn't know what i twas, got it for $5/yard. I've sicne learned it's essentially a PVC material w/ a woven pattern "look" stamped in it, and it has cloth embedded in the back. Very heavy, thick, and does not tear, crease, rip, or stretch. Problem, is, I cannot find it again - and everything close is - get ready - $15-20 a yard.
It would be ideal b/c the "fabric" is so strong, it dosn't require double-sewin gaeound edges/grommets etc, really cutting down on teh work... but enough of it would cost a small fortune.
I really like the idea of DYI top, but as long as the Kayline/STC top is <$600 total, it's hard to compete with, once you factor in teh cost of all the hardware and 40+ trips to the store to get this piece and that piece etc.