Well I finally got around to doing it again! I had done this to another YJ a few years
back and it was spectacular.

Of course everyone said "does it leak?" Not only doesn't it leak, but because of the
slipstream, it doesn't even get dirty!
It's spectacular in the rain and awesome on a starry night.

I have a buddy here who does Florida boat and Yacht tops and he will do this for a nice $.
You can get all sorts of tints, but I prefer the clearest version. In the earlier version,
the inside of the ragtop was a dark cloth and it felt very "closed in". This opens up the
whole feeling into something quite amazing -- especially during a storm!

If you have further questions my email is on the bottom of the pictures page.

Take a look and tell me what you all think.

http://www.dunedinflorida.net/jeeptop/

Capt. Purple

Captain Purple wrote:
Not bad. Not bad at all. I wonder how well it would hold up
to ice and snow though.

--
DougW

Weird I couldn't see my post - so I posted it again...sorry if I messed up.

My guess is that it wouldn't be any wore than the side windows on any other top. The vinyl
I used is .030 . There is also .040 available. The first one I did I had for 6 years of
constant Florida weather and UV (it was never in a garage) and it was fine the whole
time. It always amazed me that no company ever bothered to do that.

By the way, that is a Bestop Sunrider, which still works just fine. I will take a pix of
the sunrider part open and post it.
Capt Purple.

"DougW" <post.replies (AT) invalid (DOT) address> wrote

Wow! Now, that is a very nice feature to have! Very nice work,
regardless of cost. I wonder too, why sunroofs aren't offered in
hardtop versions. I guess if the owner wants to see the sun, he/she
will just pull the top.

Your 'Sunroof Softop' would make a great business opportunity, if it is
that durable. Even better, a version that has clear, zippered inserts
so that it can be replaced easily.

Thanks for the look. Very nice product!

I don't think a zipper version woudn't leak, although I suppose I could try and make one.
The double row of seams on the one I did has a waxy kevlar thread, and then on he FIRST
one I rubbed in silicon grease into the seams, the silicon grease you get in camping or
plumbing stores. That one application was fine for years.

I would be glad to assist anyone in getting this done, just email me at the address under
the pix.
C.P.



"Outatime" <WhoKnows (AT) here (DOT) com> wrote

"DougW" <post.replies (AT) invalid (DOT) address> wrote

The only thing I can see that I might not like - this is a personal thing of
course - is there is no optional cover for it that I saw.
Meaning, when it's REALLY hot, or the sun is at the wrong angle a person
would be like a bug under glass in the sun.

Other than that, I think it's a great idea!

I love my sunrunner top, it's like the best of all worlds.

Kate

Kate wrote:
I will agree with that. I live in Canada and with the ozone hole
letting sun through, we can get badly burned easily. Bad enough they
give the daily UV index and an exposure warning with the local newspaper
weather.

I got the bikini top as a sun shade.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Mike Romain wrote:
What about a UV blocking clear material?

--
DougW

DougW wrote:
That would be needed. It is still the intensity of the heat coming
through if you are stuck in traffic or something on a 120-130 F day. I
find with the plastic doors even the sun coming through the windshield
to be deep hot feeling.

I wear long sleeves lots when running with the bikini on or on trips so
I can roll down the sleeves when my arms get hot enough. It is really
intense some days and constant burns aren't a good thing.

The sunroof on our Cherokee can be intense, It has a crosshatch tint,
but still gets hot and can be irritating.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)