Premium Soft Top

[ThickCobra]

Ordered the premium soft top from FFR today. Looking forward to longer and weather protected rides.

[Papa]

Ordered the premium soft top from FFR today. Looking forward to longer and weather protected rides.

Be sure to call Rod Tops ASAP with any options you may want like zippered rear window, quarter windows, etc.. They will bill you for any options directly. FFR told me to wait a few days and then call. I did that and my top was sitting on the dock waiting for the FedEx truck. They pulled it and made the changes for me, but another hour or so and I would have had to ship it back to them. You don't want to do that as the package weighs at least 50 lbs.

[ThickCobra]

Papa,

Good advice. I just called Chad and he had already processed my order. Wow, I just placed it with FFR 2 hours ago. Chad was glad I didn't wait till next week as people often do. He took my modifications right then.

Jay

[John4337]

You won’t regret it...one of the best things we did.

John

[steno]

Jay, did you get the windows?

[ThickCobra]

Jay, did you get the windows?

Yes I did and I'll be reaching out to you when the top arrives. Their seamstress is going on vacation and they have been waiting a bit on the powder coated frames at their supplier so it could be a bit.

Jay

[steno]

Ok, glad to help!

[mburger]

I'd love to get that top. I know you get what you pay for, but man it's pricey.

[ThickCobra]

I'd love to get that top. I know you get what you pay for, but man it's pricey.

It's not in expensive that's for sure. But, I looked at it as a nice addition to the cobra and the price most certainly won't go down over time.

[abdw-wcw]

Three of us, in three separate cars left Chicago late last March for the Texas Cobra show. One had a top. Two of us didn't. It was 28 degrees the morning we left.

Fast forward a year later....all three cars now have the premium soft top.

Yes, they are expensive but I've had many many years of driving to the London Cobra Show in pouring rain. Now, if the radar looks bad....we go anyways. (well....we always went rain or shine...but this year i'll be dry!)
Craig

[steno]

Three of us, in three separate cars left Chicago late last March for the Texas Cobra show. One had a top. Two of us didn't. It was 28 degrees the morning we left.

Fast forward a year later....all three cars now have the premium soft top.

Yes, they are expensive but I've had many many years of driving to the London Cobra Show in pouring rain. Now, if the radar looks bad....we go anyways. (well....we always went rain or shine...but this year i'll be dry!)
Craig
That was a chilly trip till we got well south of St. Louis! That top is a piece of art! Submarine duty on the way to London won’t be as wet for sure!

[Geoff H]

I used mine down through Montana into Yellowstone Park, then Idaho last June. Lots of rain. Only under heavy rain (at speed) would it drip - where the wood bow folds.
Geoff

[John4337]

I used mine down through Montana into Yellowstone Park, then Idaho last June. Lots of rain. Only under heavy rain (at speed) would it drip - where the wood bow folds.
Geoff

Mine drips there as well. Get some rubber liner less electrical tape and put a out an inch and a half over that gap, and partially on the windscreen frame. Stops the drips, no residue when you pull it off.

John

[Ducky2009]

Does anyone know if the top works with the Kirkey high-back seats?

Papa, do you have to remove the side windows to get in and out, or do they fold out of the way?

[Papa]

Does anyone know if the top works with the Kirkey high-back seats?

Papa, do you have to remove the side windows to get in and out, or do they fold out of the way?

If the seats are lower than the roll bar(s), they'll be fine.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=122555&d=1581788307

On the windows, I still haven't installed mine, but they essentially need to be at least mostly removed to get in or out of the car from what I can see. They zip in across the top and rear edge.

This video shows how they are installed:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnL-JRQ2oXg

[ThickCobra]

When I was discussing my order with Chad at Rod Tops, he told me he rarely if ever receives feedback as to how well the top performs. He really seemed a bit disappointed and would appreciate any thoughts or comments as to possible improvements. I believe that water leaking by the bow fold could be addressed by him. Or at least a recommended solution.

If the consensus is that this is a rather common water leak area, I'd be more than happy to call Chad next week and share it with him.

Jay

[John4337]

Does anyone know if the top works with the Kirkey high-back seats?

Papa, do you have to remove the side windows to get in and out, or do they fold out of the way?

They are a bit cumbersome for entry and exit. I have found a way that works for me. To enter, I lay the window on the top. Get in the car, reach up and pull the window into place, reach under the window and attach the snap at the base of the windscreen side bar, then zip the window in, and attach the remaining snaps and Velcro. Reverse the process to exit.

John

[Geoff H]

I used the windows a lot of my trip. John is right - no graceful way to get in and out, but after a few tries it does get easier. I found they are quite weatherproof but you need to use the velcro tabs/straps that help attach the window to the door on the inside. At speed the difference in pressure will pull the window outward without them. Also found that the outer flap of the window (where it meets the door) lifted a higher speeds on the highway. Even so, still no rain for came through - and we really made it work.

[John4337]

I used the windows a lot of my trip. John is right - no graceful way to get in and out, but after a few tries it does get easier. I found they are quite weatherproof but you need to use the velcro tabs/straps that help attach the window to the door on the inside. At speed the difference in pressure will pull the window outward without them. Also found that the outer flap of the window (where it meets the door) lifted a higher speeds on the highway. Even so, still no rain for came through - and we really made it work.

My experience as well, that outer flap lifts at speed. I’ve often wondered why they didn’t wire reinforce that, but it doesn’t seem to let water in, so guess it’s not an issue. The Velcro on the inside is important, all three points, the wind pressure will really pull on that window.

John

[steno]

I have a custom tonneau with snaps. I marked the snap locations on the inside flap on the windows and installed snaps. No velcro needed, and the window is secured in 5 places. Really helps!

[Ducky2009]

If the seats are lower than the roll bar(s), they'll be fine.

Sorry, should have been more specific.... and added pics.

The wing of the seat is forward from the door jam approx 2" and extends outward approx 1 3/4".
Can someone take a pic (with a tape measure) looking down, showing how close the top is to the inner lip of the body.
NOTE: These seat wings can be bent in, but not too far before they become uncomfortable.

THANKS!

122676 122677

[steno]

Ok... it’s just over an inch to the clevis Ferrell and a tad over 2”” to the top. Your seat will fit, but if you pull the wings in a tad, you’ll have a bit more room if you’d like.

[ptbashor]

I'm following this closely as a soft top is a must since my wife wants this to be my DD to justify the purchase. I've looked at the other tops available and the premium just looks hands down better than Whitby's or the outfit out of South Africa.

[canuck1]

When I was discussing my order with Chad at Rod Tops, he told me he rarely if ever receives feedback as to how well the top performs. He really seemed a bit disappointed and would appreciate any thoughts or comments as to possible improvements. I believe that water leaking by the bow fold could be addressed by him. Or at least a recommended solution.

If the consensus is that this is a rather common water leak area, I'd be more than happy to call Chad next week and share it with him.

Jay

Yes please, before I order mine!!! :D

Sean

[Bobby Doug]

I went back and forth about buying the top for months. I finally ordered one. After looking at all the components that came with the top I am NOT disappointed in what I received. Seeing comments about how well they work in the rain I have no regrets about my purchase.

[Blitzboy54]

How long does it take you to put the top on once its installed. I would assume I would keep in the trunk for a just in case scenario. I'm wondering how cumbersome it is if you are taking it on and off

[Avalanche325]

It is not easy to put on the first couple of times. Things like the welt that slides into the windshield bow are stiff when brand new. It gets much easier when things soften up and you get a feel for it.

I can do it by myself in around 10-12 minutes. That's without trying to break a world record.

I put the top in the trunk for longer days or travel. The rest of the time it sits in a storage cabinet in the garage.

Just a note for anyone with one:
If you have the zip down rear window. DO NOT let the plastic sit on your paint. I have a large microfiber towel (from Chemical Guys). Here is what I do. I lay the towel on the trunk just behind the top. Pull the window outside onto the towel. Roll the towel and window up. Tuck it inside. You will have microfiber against the paint.

[nuhale]

This may be a purchase in the near future... have all my change saved up for a paint job at this point but maybe a gift for next year to extend the season.