[CheapJeep888]

As warm weather is starting to come back here in Cali I plan on purchasing a Viking Fast back. I have only heard good things about its quality, and as long as that’s true I don't mind paying the money at all. My question though for those of you who have this top is: Wouldn't folding up the side windows cause scratching? even if they were only a little dirty?

Never really thought of that until a friend brought it up, and Viking's website doesn’t really address that point. Guess i just need some reassurance before i drop the 600 plus.


Thaks!

[Tumble]

Here's an explaination of the top I posted on another forum awhile back. This might answer a few or your questions about the top...

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Honestly? It's ok, not wonderfull like some people claim but it is doing it's job so far.

Here's what I don't like about the top:

Where the top fits into the windshield channel there's no plastic strip like my BestTop bikini. When you attach the top into the windshield channel you fold the top over at the seam then stuff (and I mean stuff) the edge of the top into the windshield channel. At first I thought there was no way this would even stay attached like this but it hasn't given me a problem so far. Time will tell.

The center strap that attaches to the footman loop in the middle of the top is too short. I had to remove my foam roll bar padding in order to get it tight. If they made this strap another 4-6 inches longer this wouldn't have been a problem.

The clasps that lock the straps in place are plastic. I'm not talking about a big high quality type of plastic here. These things seems brittle to me. If there is one weak point in the top (or failure point) I think this would be it. These clasps just don't seems like they'll hold up over time. IMO.

Where the sides of the top "lock" into the door suurounds it's loose. They actually put a hard plastic strip in the seam but it's too long for the door surrounds. Because of this they just flop around in the slot. This seems to me like this should be tight to pull any slack out of the top.

The top doesn't fold and store "as advertised". If you look at their website and read through the instructions (and pictures) of how to fold the top up you would think that you simply unzip the side windows and flip them to the roof. Then you connect the two side windows with the zippers and this holds them in place. At least that's what I got out of the website. That's not how it works AT ALL. You completely remove the windows and place them in a nylon bag then you velcro the nylon bag to the roof, pull the rear window up and on top of the nylon bag, then pull the top back over the bag. This wasn't how I thought the top worked. Does it work this way? Yes. But it wasn't the way I understood it.

And the last thing, it's isn't as quiet as the OEM top. I don't care what anyone else says it's just not as quiet. It's isn't horrible but there is definatley more noise.

I know that seems like alot of negatives (and it is) but I still like the top. I'm just not ranting and raving about it like everyone else is. It does give you coverage from the elements, keeps your stuff out of harms way and it does convert to a full bikini. I'll keep the top and I'll probably sell my OEM but not any time soon.

I hope that helps!

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Please don't confuse this with bashing the top. This is only my opinion of it...

[king_kong]

thats a lot of negatives about that top but you said that it dosent fit into the winshield that well but if you got it from red rock they say to get the best top windshield header did you?

[ytodd]

Originally Posted by CheapJeep888

Wouldn't folding up the side windows cause scratching? even if they were only a little dirty?

You need to take caution with the windows just as any other soft top window. I have never damaged or scratched my windows storing them, mine get torn up on the trail when they are installed.

[ytodd]

Originally Posted by Simple Scout

Where the top fits into the windshield channel there's no plastic strip like my BestTop bikini. When you attach the top into the windshield channel you fold the top over at the seam then stuff (and I mean stuff) the edge of the top into the windshield channel. At first I thought there was no way this would even stay attached like this but it hasn't given me a problem so far. Time will tell.

There is a plastic strip on mine, but yes, you still fold it over. It seals well and has been run on my rig, and the other test mules for well over a year without any issues.

Originally Posted by Simple Scout

The center strap that attaches to the footman loop in the middle of the top is too short. I had to remove my foam roll bar padding in order to get it tight. If they made this strap another 4-6 inches longer this wouldn't have been a problem.

Odd, my strap is plenty long enough, so much that I actually trimmed it.

Originally Posted by Simple Scout

The clasps that lock the straps in place are plastic. I'm not talking about a big high quality type of plastic here. These things seems brittle to me. If there is one weak point in the top (or failure point) I think this would be it. These clasps just don't seems like they'll hold up over time. IMO.

Those clasps have been run on my rig, and the other test mules for well over a year without any issues.

Originally Posted by Simple Scout

Where the sides of the top "lock" into the door suurounds it's loose. They actually put a hard plastic strip in the seam but it's too long for the door surrounds. Because of this they just flop around in the slot. This seems to me like this should be tight to pull any slack out of the top.

Not sure I follow what you are saying. Can you snap a pic, or elaborate a bit more? You realize the directions show you how to attach to the door surrounds in a fashion much like how the front attaches to the header bar right? You fold the top over the plastic strip. It is very tight.

Originally Posted by Simple Scout

The top doesn't fold and store "as advertised". If you look at their website and read through the instructions (and pictures) of how to fold the top up you would think that you simply unzip the side windows and flip them to the roof. Then you connect the two side windows with the zippers and this holds them in place. At least that's what I got out of the website. That's not how it works AT ALL. You completely remove the windows and place them in a nylon bag then you velcro the nylon bag to the roof, pull the rear window up and on top of the nylon bag, then pull the top back over the bag. This wasn't how I thought the top worked. Does it work this way? Yes. But it wasn't the way I understood it.

I am not sure how this is anything more than a statement showing you made assumptions that were wrong, or simply misunderstood how it worked. Am I missing something? It works yes, or is this a critique of the website with the directions? How did the included directions you received explain it?

Originally Posted by Simple Scout

And the last thing, it's isn't as quiet as the OEM top. I don't care what anyone else says it's just not as quiet. It's isn't horrible but there is definatley more noise.

Wierd, mine is much more quiet, and all the other owners fo the top I have spoken with in person or online agree. Did you change anything else when you changed tops?

[Tumble]

Originally Posted by ytodd

There is a plastic strip on mine, but yes, you still fold it over. It seals well and has been run on my rig, and the other test mules for well over a year without any issues.

I guess that must be the difference in the "test mules" and the consumer version then. The top I bought and paid for does not have a plastic strip.

Odd, my strap is plenty long enough, so much that I actually trimmed it.

That's odd. Mine isn't long enough at all. With the roll bar padding I had less than an inch of strap left. Must be another difference in the consumer version and the "test mules".

Those clasps have been run on my rig, and the other test mules for well over a year without any issues.

I'm not saying that that part has failed but if there is a weak point of the top than this is certainly it. I know inexpensive plastic when I see it and this IS inexpensive plastic. It may never fail but I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

Not sure I follow what you are saying. Can you snap a pic, or elaborate a bit more? You realize the directions show you how to attach to the door surrounds in a fashion much like how the front attaches to the header bar right? You fold the top over the plastic strip. It is very tight.

I've since done that and yes it is very tight now.

I am not sure how this is anything more than a statement showing you made assumptions that were wrong, or simply misunderstood how it worked. Am I missing something? It works yes, or is this a critique of the website with the directions? How did the included directions you received explain it?

I made "assumptions" based on the information provided to me by Viking from THEIR website. It never said anything about removing the windows and storing them in a nylon bag. Vikings website would lead everyone to believe that you unzip the windows, flip them onto the roof and zip them together. So to answer your question YES it is a critique of the website and of the operation of the top.

The instructions I received say that you remove the windows and store them in a nylon bag. Didn't I say that once already?


Wierd, mine is much more quiet, and all the other owners fo the top I have spoken with in person or online agree. Did you change anything else when you changed tops?

Yeah it is weird. It seems like everyone that has a preproduction top says that along with a lot of everything else you're saying.

Just so everyone else knows, my opinion is completley unbiased and based on my opinion of the consumer version of this top.

I hope that answers your questions.

[DiscoDave]

Hello,
I have had my top for about 3 months now

The footman loop strap on my top is plenty long enough

The plastic lattches that lock the rear straps tight seem to be plenty strong for this application when used with the velcro on the ends. Without the velcro it would have much more play i would assume.

The windows do not fold up onto the top like advertised but they are removed and stored inside a lined bag(I think its a better idea anyway)and secured to the top with velcro then sandwiched inbetween the 2 layers of the top.

The front that fits into the windshield dose not have a plastic strip but is still tight and secure.

My door surrounds that are perpendicular(side windows) are very tight but top of the door surrounds seem a bit loose but do not flap in the wind at all( the little velcro tab thats about 3 inches long thats seals out rain flaps a tad)

Wind noise is bad with every soft top and I cant tell the difference between the 2(my tires are the loudest thing I hear by far)

Overall I am pleased with My viking top and would buy another one in the future

[ytodd]

Interesting feedback.

For the record, I no longer have a pre-production top. I now run the production version and my observations still stand. The strip is still in place on the front edge though not plastic, it is more like a rib. I don't recall "stuffing" it, I simply slid it in. It still fits tightly and has yet to fail on any top that I am aware of. The center strap is still plenty long and fits perfect. The plastic clasps you seem concerned with have yet to fail and should work out just fine. IF there was a failure it certainly would be chaep and easy to replace, however as of yet...no failures.

Glad to hear you got the side pieces installed correctly, they should be plenty tight and they seal perfectly.

Not sure what I can add about your critique of the website. I guess people read the instructions differently, and make incorrect assumptions. The included directions were very clear though yes? I can't see how the difference in your assumptions and the actual method of storing the windows could be a dig on the top though, it works great and the windows stow in a perfectly acceptable manner.

As mentioned I no longer run the pre-production top and the one I run now is just as quiet as my last one.

oh and...

Just so everyone else knows, my opinion is completely unbiased as well, and based on my experience with both versions this top over the last 13 months. You seem to imply in your first comment that I did not pay for my top. Another incorrect assumption on your part. Not that I am accountable to you, but my top was paid for by myself, just like yours.

[mic6]

Guys quick question
Is the OEM header channel that I installed on my jeep in order to install my OEM bikini going to be ok with the viking soft top or I need to buy the bestop header channel?

Thanks

[Tazzrider]

My O2 Sport came with both hard and OEM soft top. I have full doors and a set of door shrouds I assume for the soft top which i have yet to use (Just got the Jeep a few months ago).
I "think" i have everything i need to attach the Viking top (accept for the top itself), just wondering if anyone can confirm this?
Thanks!

[ytodd]

mic6 - Not sure about the OEM header bar, snap a pic of it and post it here.


Tazzrider - you will need a header bar

[Tumble]

Originally Posted by ytodd

Not sure what I can add about your critique of the website. I guess people read the instructions differently, and make incorrect assumptions. The included directions were very clear though yes? I can't see how the difference in your assumptions and the actual method of storing the windows could be a dig on the top though, it works great and the windows stow in a perfectly acceptable manner.

Have you looked at the website? Steps 6 & 7?


You seem to imply in your first comment that I did not pay for my top. Another incorrect assumption on your part. Not that I am accountable to you, but my top was paid for by myself, just like yours.

Speaking of "assumptions"... I think you need to re-read what I said. I never implied that you didn't purchase your top I merely stated that the top I bought and paid for doesn't operate the same as your "test mule".

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[mic6]

so to make it clear...the statement that you can fold all three windows on the top and cover them having a nice safari top in less than 2 minutes is a myth???
This is what the website advertises..
Plus this is the only feature I would buy the top for..

http://vikingoffroad.com/viking_fastback_conversion.html

[Tazzrider]

>Tazzrider - you will need a header bar<

To be clear, you're saying i need a header bar for the Viking that my OEM soft top doesnt come with?
Where do you recommend buying such?

Thanks!

[JeepRocks86]

I'm going to the local 4wd shop today. they just put the top on their shop TJ. I can take some photos of it if you would like...