Please e-mail me if interested in bikini top

[Yukon Jack]

I called Bestop at 800-845-3567 to see if they could give me dimensions for the Scout II bikini top and also asked what we could do to interest them in making a bikini top for the 69-72 Blazer.

The woman I spoke to said Bestop is actually considering making a bikini top for the 69-72 Blazer. She will get me the width of the Scout II top and she said she would be interested in a list of people who would be interested in a 69-72 Blazer bikini top to show the company the interest level.

If you are interested in a 69-72 Blazer bikini top, please e-mail me your name and year of your Blazer to yukonjackk67@netscape.net

I will compile a list of names and get it to Bestop to see if we can show them there is a market for this top.

If there is a big enough market for a Scout II bikini top, surely there is a big enough market for a 69-72 Blazer bikini top!

[2wdBlazer]

I would be interested if it used the Bestop Softop snap locations.

[detroit72k5]

Yukon Jack, post the dimensions for the Scout top and how it connects to the front windshield when you get a reply from Bestop. Hope we can get one for the Blazers, but if not, that looks like it will work. Thanks!

[wrathchild]

You have mail.....count me in !!! Thanks.... wrath

[HatGuy]

You know I am interested!
petersj2@mindspring.com

can't e-mail from this computer

[Yukon Jack]

20 e-mails so far!

[Gee_Emm]

I will make this sticky so everyone will see it.

[vtblazer]

Put me down also.
Hopefully they can come up with a really clean way to mount to the windshield frame other than all those screws/snaps.
Some sort of gutter that could mount to our existing hard top bolt locations would be awesome.

[Yukon Jack]

34 e-mails so far. Not bad for less than 24 hours.

[Yukon Jack]

I just called Specialty Top Company (Kayline) and the representative told me they would not consider making a bikini top because there are so many different rollbars being used that they couldn't make a standard bikini that would work, where as some of the other vehicles they make bikini tops for have a standard roll bar. Bottom line, Specialty Top Company has no interest in discussing the issue.

Now have 41 e-mails.

[HatGuy]

how about if they used a smittybuilt roll bar as standerd

[Bluegoose972]

Sounds to me like we have a good business opportunity for someone willing to do a little trial and error work. There are have already been several examples of windshield mounts on this website, with the aluminum channel probably being the best setup. Surely some member has some extra time to mess with this. I personally don't, but would be willing to pay someone if they came up with one.

[Yukon Jack]

A member over at ColoradoK5 says he has a friend who does I think it was boat covers and he can make this for us if we have enough interest. He is checking with him. I think you are right, this is something that we can get a group buy on and get it done ourselves. The big problem will be mounting. Some people have replied that they are only interested in the bikini top if it mounts in a certain way. But, if this is a private individual, he might be willing to work a little on having a couple different mounting options. A simple solution might be for him to have it all completed except for the windshield area on some of the tops. For people who need something different, they could easily get that finished at a local shop. Lots of options, but I think something can happen. We have I believe 42 interested. I'm sure not everyone would buy now, but I would guess more than half would.

[HatGuy]

One concern is different roll bars. If best tops or
or kayline could make a deal with someone like
smittybuilt to build the bars they could sell this
as a complete kit.

What dose every body think about that?

[vtblazer]

Reguardless of the rollball location, most will as least be installed so they fit under the hard top, so there's one standard/common.
Next one, is all must mount on the windshield frame in some fashion, 2nd standard/common with all applications.
This would be the starting point anyway. From there it seems to be only a matter of length and tie down strap locations...right?
Is making a different length all that difficult? Call it an "option" and charge accordingly for the extra material used.
Just thinking out loud...offering some possibilities.

[71jimmy]

Just emailed you Yukon.

This weekend I sacraficed my hardtop that came with my jimmy when I bought it. It had no rear hatch, someone had hit the front left at the windshield and tore a piece out and the PO had put a sunroof in it. Yeah it was pretty bad, but seing how hard they are to find I figured someone could use it. But I couldn't even give it away. So after having it sit around my yard for 2 yrs I finally cut it up to take to the dumps. But, first I cut off the front edge where it connects to the windshield frame. My plan, maybe, if I ever get the time, is to use this possibly as the mounting for a binkini top if I have to use one from a Jeep or Scout. What do you think? Anybody ever try this?

[vtblazer]

71jimmy, glad to hear someone else has thought about cutting the front from an old hard top. I had plans to try it this summer.
One problem I already see is the height as it leaves the widshield frame...?
Bottom line is no more drilled holes for snaps or bracing anywhere on the blazer, if at all possible.

[Yukon Jack]

Just an update. I have 54 names of people interested right now in a bikini top. Still getting new names every day. TonyP from ColoradoK5.com is checking with a friend who does this type of work to see his interest level. Sounds like he will likely be interested and hopefully the price will be good too. Given the fact that so many people have responded voicing a request on different attachment methods, I'm not so sure that one of the big companies would be able to fit our needs very well. I would assume a company like Bestop will be only willing to make one form of attachment. I'll update more as soon as I hear more from TonyP.

[Gee_Emm]

I might like to have a top like this, (not sure since I have never driven my Jimmy with a top nevermind without one) Do you have to drill extra holes in the body for snaps and stuff. I would only want one if it some how utilized the same holes. Is that even possible?

[Yukon Jack]

All the tops I have seen require some snaps to be placed on the top part of the windshield frame, or some other attachment method on the top part of the windshield frame. These holes are covered up when the hardtop is installed - so shouldn't be too big of a deal.

[HatGuy]

Jack,
How about a poll to see what attachment is
prefered by most. I don't know how to post polls.
Here's another Idea one company makes a top
with snaps and the other uses a rail system. This
might promote price competition and everybody
gets what they want from well known companys.
kayline or Bestops

Just Thinking Outloud

[Yukon Jack]

I just submitted the list of 62 names to LeeAnn with Bestop. She seemed impressed that so many names have been gathered.

She measured their Scout II bikini top and the portion that fits in the front windshield rail is 53" wide and there is 2 1/2" of additional material on each side so the total width would be about 58".

Hopefully she will make some sort of response to our request.

[Yukon Jack]

Got a message from TonyP over at ColoradoK5 and his friend is interested in making the tops! He will go over and look at the Blazer this weekend and get measurements from a K5 that has the Fastrac top system.

I asked that they discuss if he is willing to do work with some people who require a specific attachment method.

I also asked if he would be willing to make some bikini tops specific to the Bestop snap top and the Kayline/STC snap top attachment points.

Worst case scenario, he could make some tops that don't have the snaps on it, then you could go to a local shop and get the snaps installed exactly where you need them.

He said the different location of rollbars won't be a problem as long as he gets dimensions from people.

Sounds like he could easily make a bikini top that would cover the rear seat if there is a full cage.

Still in the planning stages, but looking like this might happen. Hope to have a rough price range soon along with more info on colors and type of material he can use.

[Yukon Jack]

More info, he can make the top out of what ever you want (color, material), he said the vinyl material would last longer and that the canvas type would dry out and get hard after time. But that if the canvas was not in the sun all the time it would last.

[orangepunkin]

this is a great idea count me in for one hopefully for this summer