I loved your video!!!! Yours is the only one so far that has zoomed in on everything you are doing step by step!!!! THANKS!!!! "DA' BOOT" (Meaning Louisiana the shape of it) because that is where I'm from.
thank you! great video, I just got a 98 Suzuki Sidekick and it has a hard top on it right now for winter but I will be putting the soft top on come May and I had no idea how to do it.....this is super!
This video is super helpful thank you! I’m having some trouble lining up the rear support bar and it’s currently leaving a gap (it was like this when I bought it) do you have any advice?
I got almost all of the parts I needed. My 98 Geo Tracker is at the shop now getting the new top installed but says he needs the "roof panel brackets". The Chev part #s are 30019564 & 65 Wondering if you know Suzuki's name or part #'s for those...or even (longshot) where I might find some. Meanwhile I'm also doing every internet search I can think of. Thanks!
Hi Luca! I have the same 1998 suzuki sidekick...with a hard top. Just bought all the hardware for a soft top. But I really don't know how to install the hardware, i don't find any installation manual...do you have an idea? Thanks!
Yeah. I've done it, but you need the mounting brackets too and you'll have to make holes in the bodywork pinchwelds to fit the brackets (and don't forget to rustproof the holes!!!!) It takes about a day to do it but it's not super hard, just have to make sure everything lines up properly. First you have to remove your hardtop including the rubber washer. Then you trial fit the plastic moldings that hold the side windows in place and figure out where to make the holes. Your best bet is to find a truck with a soft top in your area and copy it. (sorry it's still me but I'm logged in with my other TH-cam channel.)
Ok thanks! You mean that the long rubber under the hardtop (where the hard top "touches" the truck) have to be remove? Glad to read it cause I was about to glue it until dead...!! The thing i'm wondering is where to make the hole in the front part... I'll try to find someone with a soft top and look at...
Thanks for the video. I figured everything out before watching except how to put the bottom of the back window into the bar. So it didn't really help me out. I'm replacing my old top with a new one (I hope) so leaving it attached wasn't an option!
The bottom of the back window came in several different designs, if you have a square metal bar at the back, the bottom of the window should have a plastic guide that has to be slid into the metal bar, you'll have to slide it in from one side BEFORE placing it on the truck. Note that the plastic guides on the back, where the metal bar anchors usually break off because they're super weak. I made new guides out of sheet metal, and screwed them in there with self tapping screws but if your plastic guides are not broken, the metal bar should enter FIRST on the side where the HINGE of the rear door is, then "pivot" into place on the opposite side. Other designs include simply a "velcro" bottom that stuck to the metal bar, or no metal bar at all and the window clipping with snap buttons directly onto the rear door. Good luck!
Luca, my brother recently died and I have his 1998 Chevy Tracker. Were you happy with this brand of top (Bestop?) Do you feel good about the quality? Is there another brand you prefer? Jeff's tracker has it's original top which is crusty and I have to replace it. Question #2...I'm trying to find a part and don't know what to call it. Its a long piece that sits along the top of the trunk door. It's a couple of inches high and the top has rubber tubing. What is that part....do you know? or can you refer me to someone who might?
Sorry for the late reply. Besttop is fine, I've had it for three years now with no problems and other than some slight decoloration of the black besttop tags it's actually holding up pretty well. As for the question #2 I'm not sure what you mean, maybe it's the weatherstripping? Does it look like a rubber gasket?
Great video! Those tops are kind of hard to install, especially zipping those side windows. I cleaned the zippers with soap and water and sprayed them with Armor All to help make the zipper slide easier. I don't think the user manual is as helpful as this video.
I use silicone spray but you can actually buy spray on lubricant specifically designed for zippers. They sell it wherever they sell tents and camping equipment!
Very helpful video! It was very beneficial, as we just got a used Tracker (our first convertible ever). If you should happen to do another one, maybe the microphone could be held closer to you? It was hard to hear what you were saying when shot was taken from a distance, even though we turned volume as far up as it could go. Nevertheless, this helped a lot! Thanks!
I have a 2 piece soft top with separate rear screen. I want to modify it to a 3 piece with separate piece over the drivers compartment. Can anyone advise me on how to, please
Douglas Southern that's called a bikini top. They used to sell them at Best Top. I tried modifying one a long time ago by wrapping the top section around the top rollbar but it was loose and made a tremendous noise when driving at any speed.
The soft top plastic guides? They're usually black plastic and are a real PITA to find good ones. I'd check local scrapyards first. I don't know the name, every time I bought some they came with the whole top at a yard sale or Craigslist.
Probably not. There are two body/types: 1989/95 and 1996/98. The "newer" 1996/98 models have a different rear window, a bit higher rear cargo door. The front end will fit just fine, as will the side windows, but when you get to the part where you close the top "sunroof" part, it's way too tight and you will probably break all the plastic pins. You should try and get the actual model for your tracker.
+Luca Colonnese My 98 Tracker is at the mechanic now for him to replace the top with an Acme top I purchased. The top I purchased is an Acme. It comes in 5 pieces. 3 are windows. The other two comprise the roof portion. Did yours come in as many pieces? Also, he says I need some discontinued parts and I have no clue where to find them. I do know the part #'s though. Do you have any guidance on where I can find discontinued parts? I've asked him to watch your video. But I especially want to know if yours came in as many pieces.
+Jane Dumestre No, this soft top has four parts. Three windows, and the top is one piece. As for your discontinued parts the only places I can think of are eBay or amazon, maybe check Rockauto parts, they have a website but they mostly sell mechanical parts. Are they the plastic trim parts that the side windows slide into? Those are easy to break and hard to find.
+Jane Dumestre No, this soft top has four parts. Three windows, and the top is one piece. As for your discontinued parts the only places I can think of are eBay or amazon, maybe check Rockauto parts, they have a website but they mostly sell mechanical parts. Are they the plastic trim parts that the side windows slide into? Those are easy to break and hard to find.
I loved your video!!!! Yours is the only one so far that has zoomed in on everything you are doing step by step!!!! THANKS!!!! "DA' BOOT" (Meaning Louisiana the shape of it) because that is where I'm from.
thank you! great video, I just got a 98 Suzuki Sidekick and it has a hard top on it right now for winter but I will be putting the soft top on come May and I had no idea how to do it.....this is super!
what are the rails? called that the top goes on around back window do u know where i can get replacements thanks
This video is super helpful thank you! I’m having some trouble lining up the rear support bar and it’s currently leaving a gap (it was like this when I bought it) do you have any advice?
I got almost all of the parts I needed. My 98 Geo Tracker is at the shop now getting the new top installed but says he needs the "roof panel brackets". The Chev part #s are 30019564 & 65 Wondering if you know Suzuki's name or part #'s for those...or even (longshot) where I might find some. Meanwhile I'm also doing every internet search I can think of. Thanks!
I live in nz and we call these vitaras. I have a 93 vitara and looking for a replacement soft top. The sidekick is the same car isn't it?
hayley cjane001 almost the same car but you have to watch the years because some years they are exactly the same and other years they are different.
That work for Suzuki Siderick 1993 ???
How can order the covering (soft top) although i would really like the hard top
Rampage makes a good quality soft top for a couple hundred bucks ! I have a black one with tinted windows
Thanks Carl Sagan!
meu irmão estou querendo fazer uma capota pra o jippe Suzuki sidekic moro em salvador BA qual o valor manda pra mim obrigado
Hi Luca! I have the same 1998 suzuki sidekick...with a hard top. Just bought all the hardware for a soft top. But I really don't know how to install the hardware, i don't find any installation manual...do you have an idea? Thanks!
Yeah. I've done it, but you need the mounting brackets too and you'll have to make holes in the bodywork pinchwelds to fit the brackets (and don't forget to rustproof the holes!!!!) It takes about a day to do it but it's not super hard, just have to make sure everything lines up properly. First you have to remove your hardtop including the rubber washer. Then you trial fit the plastic moldings that hold the side windows in place and figure out where to make the holes. Your best bet is to find a truck with a soft top in your area and copy it. (sorry it's still me but I'm logged in with my other TH-cam channel.)
Ok thanks! You mean that the long rubber under the hardtop (where the hard top "touches" the truck) have to be remove? Glad to read it cause I was about to glue it until dead...!! The thing i'm wondering is where to make the hole in the front part... I'll try to find someone with a soft top and look at...
+Mathieu Gaudet you mean on the front top part? The holes are going to line up with the ones in the plastic trims.
What’s the name of that black thing where u hav to hook the soft top to take the shape of the vehicle
I'm not sure what you mean. In the front? Back? Sides?
hi
wher can i buy that soft-top for suzuki samorai 1991 ?
thanks eli
Thanks for the video. I figured everything out before watching except how to put the bottom of the back window into the bar. So it didn't really help me out. I'm replacing my old top with a new one (I hope) so leaving it attached wasn't an option!
The bottom of the back window came in several different designs, if you have a square metal bar at the back, the bottom of the window should have a plastic guide that has to be slid into the metal bar, you'll have to slide it in from one side BEFORE placing it on the truck. Note that the plastic guides on the back, where the metal bar anchors usually break off because they're super weak.
I made new guides out of sheet metal, and screwed them in there with self tapping screws but if your plastic guides are not broken, the metal bar should enter FIRST on the side where the HINGE of the rear door is, then "pivot" into place on the opposite side.
Other designs include simply a "velcro" bottom that stuck to the metal bar, or no metal bar at all and the window clipping with snap buttons directly onto the rear door.
Good luck!
Thats really cool thank you for posting.
Luca, my brother recently died and I have his 1998 Chevy Tracker. Were you happy with this brand of top (Bestop?) Do you feel good about the quality? Is there another brand you prefer? Jeff's tracker has it's original top which is crusty and I have to replace it. Question #2...I'm trying to find a part and don't know what to call it. Its a long piece that sits along the top of the trunk door. It's a couple of inches high and the top has rubber tubing. What is that part....do you know? or can you refer me to someone who might?
Sorry for the late reply. Besttop is fine, I've had it for three years now with no problems and other than some slight decoloration of the black besttop tags it's actually holding up pretty well. As for the question #2 I'm not sure what you mean, maybe it's the weatherstripping? Does it look like a rubber gasket?
Great video! Those tops are kind of hard to install, especially zipping those side windows. I cleaned the zippers with soap and water and sprayed them with Armor All to help make the zipper slide easier. I don't think the user manual is as helpful as this video.
I use silicone spray but you can actually buy spray on lubricant specifically designed for zippers. They sell it wherever they sell tents and camping equipment!
Or just put regular house vaseline on the zipper
Excellent, thank you!
Very helpful video! It was very beneficial, as we just got a used Tracker (our first convertible ever). If you should happen to do another one, maybe the microphone could be held closer to you? It was hard to hear what you were saying when shot was taken from a distance, even though we turned volume as far up as it could go. Nevertheless, this helped a lot! Thanks!
Sorry about the sound, I didn't realize I had any problems when I edited it. I was using headphones. Glad I could help and you're welcome!
I have a 2 piece soft top with separate rear screen. I want to modify it to a 3 piece with separate piece over the drivers compartment. Can anyone advise me on how to, please
Douglas Southern that's called a bikini top. They used to sell them at Best Top. I tried modifying one a long time ago by wrapping the top section around the top rollbar but it was loose and made a tremendous noise when driving at any speed.
The soft top plastic guides? They're usually black plastic and are a real PITA to find good ones. I'd check local scrapyards first. I don't know the name, every time I bought some they came with the whole top at a yard sale or Craigslist.
what's the brand of that soft top? I need to get a replacement for my 97 tracker
Ebay
the plastic guides mounted on truck
Greetings.
Is there anyone here who can provide vendor names and addresses for buying a BESTOP soft roof?
I'm not ever taken the top off now.
What is difference soft top 1993 a 1995?
None in terms of fitting but there are a few different models available in terms of design.
Would a 1990 softop fit a 1996 geo tracker
Probably not. There are two body/types: 1989/95 and 1996/98. The "newer" 1996/98 models have a different rear window, a bit higher rear cargo door.
The front end will fit just fine, as will the side windows, but when you get to the part where you close the top "sunroof" part, it's way too tight and you will probably break all the plastic pins. You should try and get the actual model for your tracker.
thanks
Yep I'm buying a new top, just recently got a soft top and hardware, the hardware is good but the top is old and stiff.
For Daihatsu Feroza? Es igual?
+god874pas I doubt it. They look similar but I wouldn't take that chance.
thank you...very helpful...
So let me ask you something... the top its really not thief approve. Anybody can just unzip it ? No way to lock 🔐 it
Anyone else have issues with the side windows flapping open at highway speed ? Any way to prevent that from happening ?
It's a Bestop or Best Top.
+Luca Colonnese What year is this sidekick?
+Jane Dumestre 1998
+Luca Colonnese My 98 Tracker is at the mechanic now for him to replace the top with an Acme top I purchased. The top I purchased is an Acme. It comes in 5 pieces. 3 are windows. The other two comprise the roof portion. Did yours come in as many pieces? Also, he says I need some discontinued parts and I have no clue where to find them. I do know the part #'s though. Do you have any guidance on where I can find discontinued parts? I've asked him to watch your video. But I especially want to know if yours came in as many pieces.
+Jane Dumestre No, this soft top has four parts. Three windows, and the top is one piece. As for your discontinued parts the only places I can think of are eBay or amazon, maybe check Rockauto parts, they have a website but they mostly sell mechanical parts. Are they the plastic trim parts that the side windows slide into? Those are easy to break and hard to find.
+Jane Dumestre No, this soft top has four parts. Three windows, and the top is one piece. As for your discontinued parts the only places I can think of are eBay or amazon, maybe check Rockauto parts, they have a website but they mostly sell mechanical parts. Are they the plastic trim parts that the side windows slide into? Those are easy to break and hard to find.
Be extremely careful with those plastic trims, they are very brittle and a bad choice of material from Suzuki.