Fitting Tickford top to 1997

[ronward]

How can I attached a Tickford top with snaps on the side windows to my belt rail 1997 ST?

[flippedrover]

Either take it to an ulpolstery shop and have them sew in a plastic lip. Or just do the same thing yourself.

[TwisteD90]

Why are you looking to put the Tickford top on your D90?

[ronward]

Well I am considering the Tickford since I found one pretty cheap and in good shape. My Bestop is still in good shape but I like the Tickford for the alpine windows on top of the rear windows AND the fact the side and rear windows can be rolled up, unlike the bestop.

Maybe I should just buy a surrey top?

[TwisteD90]

AND the fact the side and rear windows can be rolled up, unlike the bestop.


What did you say about the Bestop :grin

[scot]

I had a Tickford modified to work with the belt rail system and it was far superior in my opinion to the Besty....for the simple reason that it is made of actual canvas cloth, which stretches. The vinyl coated Besty does not and therefore is much harder to get on and off than the Tickford, which does look cooler anyway. Badger makes the best top you can get, and apart from his stunning attention to detail and design, is a superior product because it too, is made from CANVAS.

[ronward]

Yousef, you are the man. Did you have an upholstery shop add the snaps or did you find a way to do it yourself? I want to do the very same thing but would like to do it myself.

[Burke]

Ron, snaps are very easy to do. I converted a fastback top from rails to snaps. All I needed was a drill, the snaps, and a small die kit. I think @ $9 for all. I got mine from a local leather shop. Good luck.

[TwisteD90]

I really can't see how the Tickford is a far more superior top than the Bestop??? I honestly think that both those tops are junk, and if you want a superior top and don't mind spending the $$$ go with Badger period. My friend has the Tickford, the top is too thin, you can see through the zipper, it flab’s like crazy, even more than the Bestop. Now I'm not saying bestop is better, no, the bestop also have it's flaws, this top shrinks like crazy, and it's major PITA to put it on, even a day after you take it off. The only reason I see someone go with Tickford is because the roll up windows, and alpine windows (which it will fade in a sunny climate, and will break if you get hailed on).

Ron, stick with your bestop if it's in great shape. I went to west marine and got the snaps, straps, and snap gun or tool. The whole job took me half an hour b/c I'm a newbie with installing a snaps. I will take detailed pictures and post them this after noon.

[Mike Hippert]

Hey Ron, I have both belt rails and snaps. The snaps line up with the holes for the screws that hold on the belt rail. I agree, the Tickfords are better then the Bestops. I think they shrink less when cold and they look much nicer.

[ronward]

Thanks for the ideas guys. Yousef I'd appreciate the close up pix. By the way, I'm only paying $100 for the Tickford top (no rips or stains or scratched windows) so it's worth the gamble to keep as a spare. Plus the snaps on the belt rail might not be that bad looking. Mike you have any shots of yours?

[Mike Hippert]

Thanks for the ideas guys. Yousef I'd appreciate the close up pix. By the way, I'm only paying $100 for the Tickford top (no rips or stains or scratched windows) so it's worth the gamble to keep as a spare. Plus the snaps on the belt rail might not be that bad looking. Mike you have any shots of yours?
Hmmm I will have to clean some dirt off and get you a pic or 2.

[scot]

I really can't see how the Tickford is a far more superior top than the Bestop??? I honestly think that both those tops are junk, and if you want a superior top and don't mind spending the $$$ go with Badger period.

But if you do mind spending the money..the Tickford is the way to go....Chris Laws (he hand makes the Badger tops) will tell you the worst thing Land Rover ever did was the Bestop. When I had my Tickford redone to work with the belt rail system....he did it. It didn't flap, fit perfectly, and was much easier to get on and off. Remember when your are looking at an American spec Tickford, you are looking at a ten year old top....which may account for what you describe as thin. Laws was the guy who refurbished the original Tickfords for Land Rover North America, and nobody in this country knows more about them than he does. His own tops are MUCH better...but much more expensive. I use my truck in the woods every day and he told me to go with the Tickford, a better choice than tearing up a beautiful Badger top.

[TwisteD90]

Very interesting Scot. If I find a tickford cheap locally I might give it a try and see how it is.

Ron here is some pictures