Good news, bad news - soft top 710M

[Jack Russell Racing]

The good news is that rolling the soft-top "in" to protect from standing water makes a massive difference in the appearance of the 710M, and largely eliminated all the flappy ears that I used to have near the rear corners.

The bad news is that now all of my plastic windows are 100% cracked and looking sad. So, I have two questions to ask:

1) I daily drive my 710m (about 5 miles per day to office and home). The vehicle does not have a garage at home or work. If I leave the roof rolled up all season long, is there anything really to worry about? The rear of the 710M is no more "finished" than the exterior bodywork, so how bad could it be? The roof is also pretty dirty, and I'm not a big fan of having blackened hands every time I raise or lower it anyway. Thoughts? Will the foam cushions in the back begin to mold/mildew, or are they like marine cushions? If I could find neoprene covers, would that be a decent solution?

2) Lets say I've got a few thousand dollars burning a hole in my pocket. Am I better off just having new windows stitched into the existing top by a Jeep guy, or buy a whole new top from Tuff River or SAV? I don't really care about insulation, since the truck won't heat up on my commute anyway.


Finally, the more I drive this thing, the more I love it. It brings an immediate smile to everyone that rides in it, and those who see it running down the road.

[EmbarkChief]

I'm in a similar boat as you. My windows are shot, and frankly the top as a whole is in pretty sorry shape. SAV has some new tops in, but on a personal level it is really hard to justify spending over 2 grand just so I can have a new top with roll down sides. Andre's hard top looks sweet, but you are still talking 2 grand (for aluminum). The front portion alone is over $700 from SAV and that doesn't even include the divider. At this stage I'm just going to wait until the top can't keep my head dry and then replace it with a Tuff River (non insulated). Hopefully that will take a long time to happen.

[Jack Russell Racing]

^ Do you keep yours garaged, or just let Mother Nature have her way? I assume Houston gets even more rain than North Carolina (and we get a lot!)

[EmbarkChief]

^ Do you keep yours garaged, or just let Mother Nature have her way? I assume Houston gets even more rain than North Carolina (and we get a lot!)

Well, sort of It's currently in a barn/tractor shed at the family farm that is closed in on 3 sides. At least it is out of the rain and direct sunlight, I'll probably bring it back to Houston this summer for a few weeks. I'll probably have to get the tires down to about 10psi to fit it in the garage...

[pcolette]

I really like the 2 Tuff River tops I've purchased plus the extra bimini style rear top. Mine are insulated but you can probably save some $$ by eliminating the insulation and second (inner) layer of fabric. The material seems to stay cleaner than the original and the top is much easier to handle. It fits looser so the tabs are much easier to deal with. Plus you have a choice of colors.

-end of plug for Tuff River

[EmbarkChief]

I seriously considered the Bimini, however there isn't really a point in replacing my current top with it because that is basically what my OEM top is now.

[krick3tt]

On one of my trips south, I stopped at Tuff River to see his operation and talk dollars.

I had my windows done by an upholstery shop. Jeep top guys also do a bit of sewing on tops and such.
I recommend the Jeep guys, wouldn't it be grand to take a pinz in there?

The TR shop is very large and they are capable of doing lots of things there. Might be a time lag if you catch them at a time when they are doing river rafts, which is, I believe, their main thing.
So many colors to choose from.

JRR...take the top off and lay it in the driveway or some other clean surface. Hose it down and wash it with convertible top cleaner and when it is dry use 303 protectant and wipe it in. Will bet you get
rid of the black and do much to preserve the top. Did mine two years ago and it still looks new. Then I had new windows sewn in.

[Andre]

My Upholstery girl makes a nice, light weight, 1000 Denier Cordura nylon canvas with marine grade windows for $1600. Material is strong enough to last and soft enough to also be used as matching seat covers.

[Bobmog]

Krick3tt can you tell me where you had your windows replaced? I am assuming it is in the Denver area or along the Front Range.
Thanks, I need to replace mine.
Bob

[krick3tt]

Bob,

Please add your location to your profile. If you are close, stop by so we can chat a bit. I get the idea you might be relatively new to this pinz stuff, or you have just found the forum.

The clear window part I bought in Stockton during a visit to relatives. If I were to get the stuff here I would go to B-D Company on Broadway, 303-744-1405.

I was going to sew my own, and did the center canvas rib, until my sewing machine broke. I asked the folks at B-D whom they might recommend and they gave me
several companies in Denver. I will not recommend anyone in particular as the one I did chose did not do a very good job and I do not wish to disparage them.
I had them redo the windows and although they are now done and working well I would not go that direction again.

Happy trails

[Bobmog]

Krick3tt,
Thanks for the response. Actually I think I imported one of the first Swiss Army Pinzgauers to the US which was in 1997 and I have owned it since. But I don't do much chatting on line, I was however interested on where you had your windows replaced since you are in Denver I was hoping it was close.
Thanks,
Bob

[krick3tt]

Offer still stands..if you are in Denver, stop by.

Long ago I had a 404, sold it when the pinz came into the picture. Sometimes I wish I still had it.

Steamboat is a bit of a drive from here. Got to be someone in your neck of the woods that can do the job.
Ever consider a new top? Either original or from Tuff River? I have been trying to keep mine in decent shape by yearly cleaning and 303 protectant.
If I could have managed the cost I would have gone to TR for a new one.

Just a thought...when they put i new windows make sure they insert the window material between the canvas flaps as the original is done. It will make a difference
in how the water sheds or not.

[Tyler]

I invested in an insulated tuff river some time ago. It was a big monetary pill to swallow at first...but I'll say this. The quality is second to none. It fit almost perfect, considering there's no such thing. It's tough as nails, and has 2 huge perks that paid for itself in my opinion. It cuts down on noise substantially, and it keeps out the heat in the summer as well as it keeps in the heat in the winter. Previously while using the oem top, I had the windows replaced by an auto upholstery guy here in the springs, (timberline auto upholstery) for $60 bucks total. I had him sew the new "glass" to the interior of the top, knowing a tuff river was right around the corner, vs stitching it in between the flaps of vinyl like Morris mentioned.

Now then. I do treat my top once a year with a protectant of some kind because my rig is never stored in a garage. Now that 3M has come out with they're "never wet" product in a bigger spray bottle, I am sold for life. It's phenomenal. It's honestly mind boggling how well it works. Hooray for chemistry. It will leave a light grey residue on darker fabrics, but it says that right on the bottle. My top is a light tan, so that's of no concern for me. It's a perfect application for it, and I recommend it highly. I will also plug Tuff River Stuff as well. Save the money and buy a handcrafted, American made product from a fantastic company. You won't be disappointed.

[CentAr712]

I would look around for a canvas repair person before I would go all out and buy a new top. My top is old and tired, but it keeps the rain out and my canvas lady only charged me $110 IIRC for all new windows all around and an extended flap to cover my Rapier Barn doors. Her work was flawless and inexpensive; I would assume there is probably someone of equal skill where you live as well. Just in case there isn't, you could just send your top in to the lady that did mine, http://www.maryscanvasrepair.com/home. Eventually I may have her make me an entire new top if SAV runs out of them when I'm ready to get a new one.

[berger]

I would look around for a canvas repair person before I would go all out and buy a new top. My top is old and tired, but it keeps the rain out and my canvas lady only charged me $110 IIRC for all new windows all around and an extended flap to cover my Rapier Barn doors. Her work was flawless and inexpensive; I would assume there is probably someone of equal skill where you live as well. Just in case there isn't, you could just send your top in to the lady that did mine, http://www.maryscanvasrepair.com/home. Eventually I may have her make me an entire new top if SAV runs out of them when I'm ready to get a new one.

Wow....$110? I guess with that cheap gas down South, prices are also much cheaper. I don't think I could buy the clear vinyl for $110.