How to stretch a soft top?

[MudD1]

Please allow myself to introduce myself.My name is Jeff,I bought Hippert's D90.I can thank John(phoenix37)for getting me into it.It has been a long raod.I have replace both axle assemblies,Complete suspension,engine,rims,tire,bumper and alot of cleaning.I know i've missed a bunch of stuff.I was able to get it running well enough before the engine swap to take it to Fall Herritage.On to the question,the top has been sitting for a long time off the truck.What can i do to stretch it out.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Abeer]

Blow dryer does wonders.

[rijosho]

Wow, welcome Jeff! I've been asking for updates on that truck like once a month since it sold and phoenix37 never answers!

[bharris]

find a place in the sun....

[cgalpin]

Welcome Jeff!

Before we can answer your question we need pictures and lots of them!

Just kidding (although please do post pictures).

Is this a bestop or tickford? If it's a tickford I am not sure you can stretch it a whole lot but If you can get it into a warm garage it will help. Vent the exhaust and crank up the heat and let it sit long enough to warm up the whole top, and then start pulling and snapping.

hth
charles
p.s. Josh, please tell us what you are looking for in a defender. Trying to figure out your needs/wants

[bharris]

p.s. Josh, please tell us what you are looking for in a defender. Trying to figure out your needs/wants

He's got a horse with boosts... now he's never going to get a rover :eek:

[MudD1]

trying to figure out how to post pics....

[cgalpin]

Click "Go Advanced" below, then scroll down and click "Manage Attachments" and it should be obvious from there. You may have to resize them if they are too large.

charles

[MudD1]

Heres a start...i think somone has a video from Fall Heritage.

[woldd90]

Great job, the truck looks great...

I would put the truck in a garage and put an electric heater in the truck and let it warm up for an hour, then start to stretch the top on. Be patient, and go slow.

[cgalpin]

Looking good! Yeah ignore me and listen to Scott. Much better idea :D

[phoenix37]

Wow, welcome Jeff! I've been asking for updates on that truck like once a month since it sold and phoenix37 never answers!Really? I guess I never scroll that far down.. Jeff truck looks good. Glad to see you getting more active on the board.

[MudD1]

Hey John,i thought you had a couple of pics from the last time we went out.

[phoenix37]

i do...here they are

[specops1526]

He's got a horse with boosts... now he's never going to get a rover :eek:

Sad to say but the horse might be more reliable...plus, I'm a bit partial to that specific horse model ;)

Back to regular programming...yes, try a space heater with the top draped over the truck or let it sit out in the sun, that is, if it ever comes out in Maine this time of year?

[AmityD90]

Both rigs look great. That last pic makes the blue one look almost willow green :)

I would say get a badger top and make putting a soft top on easier (or wear a heavy jacket and forget the top) :rolleyes

[cgalpin]

Beautiful. I think Mike will be very happy you are putting her to good use!

Did you do anything to the interior? I remember looking at the pictures and thinking that would be the hardest stuff to fix/repair.

[bjf]

I just put my windows back in for a cold LA winter. Space heater in truck and a super hot blow dryer. Blow dryer could easily dry a horse in ten to fifteen minutes

[flippedrover]

Wait Hippert's truck came with a top?

[MudD1]

it came with TWO!!!!

[cgalpin]

Wait Hippert's truck came with a top?
LOL. Clearly never used by Mike :D

I still remember the first time I met Mike. I pulled up at Rausch Creek, snowing or had ben snowing, but crazy cold either way. Mike and Jimmy and few few others had driven overnight and go there shortly before me. Mike had no doors on the truck, was running a bikini or surrey top or perhaps the top with no windows, and a lap blanket... wearing shorts.

[chrisvonc]

You got ripped off... Mike took off the trolly steam whistle!!

[phoenix37]

I just put my windows back in for a cold LA winter. Space heater in truck and a super hot blow dryer. Blow dryer could easily dry a horse in ten to fifteen minutes
Never talk to someone from Maine about LA "winters"

[bharris]

Never talk to someone from Maine about LA "winters"

LA doesn't have winter... it has an extended and mild fall that shifts back into spring...

If I ever end up moving back to the California coast I'd probably just run a surry top year round and just put the front windows on October - March

[phoenix37]

Exactly but people here dont see it that way. This morning the lady at the coffee shopped asked me if i was sure I wanted an iced coffee. I said yes why and she said because its "freezing" outside. I had to laugh.

[cgalpin]

Exactly but people here dont see it that way. This morning the lady at the coffee shopped asked me if i was sure I wanted an iced coffee. I said yes why and she said because its "freezing" outside. I had to laugh.
Let me guess - it's dipped into the 60's?

[Paul Davis]

I wondered the same thing. And who would have known it had doors.

[Abeer]

I was in the elevator with a woman who was in a gigantic wool coat, scarf, and gloves...it had to be about 65 out this morning. You gotta love LA.

[MudD1]

Thanks for the help.I put heavy weights on the ends and a couple of electric heaters.With alot of pulling I was able to stretch far enough.
Jeff

[GYM]

Never talk to someone from Maine about LA "winters"So John, where is home these days? L.A. or Maine? You seem to pop up on both coasts with regularity!

(Sorry for the quick hijack, Jeff...)

[phoenix37]

Hey Garth we are in LA for the winter. We have a new baby and I need to be out here a lot for work so the wife who is a So Cal girl didnt want to be left alone in a cold Maine winter with a newborn.

Follow-up Post:

Thanks for the help.I put heavy weights on the ends and a couple of electric heaters.With alot of pulling I was able to stretch far enough.
Jeff
Do you even have a heater in that thing?

[MudD1]

The heater works great..One of the few things that does.

[flippedrover]

Exactly but people here dont see it that way. This morning the lady at the coffee shopped asked me if i was sure I wanted an iced coffee. I said yes why and she said because its "freezing" outside. I had to laugh.
On my flight to NOLA back in Oct. I was talking with an airline employee that moved there from Baltimore about the weather. He was saying he's still after 2 years use to the Baltimore wether and will run around the ramp in shorts when its in the low 60s while all the natives are in wool hats and down jackets. Really can't think of 60 as cold.

[JimC]

How to stretch top:
1) put top on truck
2) fasten one side
3) use hair drier in futile effort to stretch top
4) swear when huge rip appears
5) call Badger

[badgerman]

:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl I installed a bestop on a customers vehicle that had not been used in over 2 years. It took 3 hours with an industrial heat gun. It was the last time this top will be used. I feel for you guys.

Chris
Badger Coachworks