[iH8rain]

I've had my top for over a year now, and I love it. The only problem I've had is the front strap. In late July the heat got to the glue holding the strap, and it fell off. I had it sewn back on instead of trying to glue it back. Haven't had any problems since.

[JohnA56]

I've also had my top for over a year and love it but have had two issue - the first is that water pools a little on the roof above the front seats and runs off toward the side that someone is entering. The second is that the jeep takes in water at the top front corner of each door where the top meets the door. The first issue has been easy to deal with (since I now look for the water before anyone gets in) but the second issue has been a real nuisance. The water drips pretty consistently in the rain but I'm not convinced its the top. I have Besttop upper sliders and it seems like the water may not be channeling properly along the weatherstripping. Anyway, the top looks great and is pretty easy to use. I'd like to see a rolltop feature like the Trektop has but either way, I'll likely buy another whenever replacement time comes.

[87warrior]

Originally Posted by JohnA56

The water drips pretty consistently in the rain but I'm not convinced its the top. I have Besttop upper sliders and it seems like the water may not be channeling properly along the weatherstripping.

I can say with my factory hard doors I have had no water issues. Maybe you need to "bend" the uppers inwards some to get a better seal? IIRC that was necessary with my besttop supertop on my YJ.

[Onion22]

So is there any news when the LJ version might come out?

[4point]

I got mine one week before Christmas. It leaked........ I called Viking and they had one sent out next day shipping, It arrived before Christmas and It doesn't leak. This top is alot quieter than my old factory top and the increased visibility is cool too.

[scooter072]

I finally got tired of fighting with the old zippers on my factory top and not being able to see out of the windows anymore, so I just ordered the Viking two days ago. Zach from AtoZ Fabrication still has the special pricing going for JF members. Can't wait for it to get here!

[jbo667]

Realized noone ever posted pics in this state. Just had the uppers off and the back folded up, but it gives a good idea of how the Viking works.






Here is the window storage bag that goes in the roof.



Here you can see how it lays under the flap.



Here's a pic of how it straps down to conceal the bag.



...and a side shot where you can see the mechanics a little better.

[hulkboy]

gahhh i wish i had tinted windows.. maybe in a few years when this one get ragged i will get the tinted windows

[bigj1974]

has anyone that has had the Viking for a long time now experienced any durability issues? like maybe something with the straps there on corners?

[CCJ]

Originally Posted by bigj1974

has anyone that has had the Viking for a long time now experienced any durability issues? like maybe something with the straps there on corners?

Yea, that.

And IMO I don't see how that header windshield channel keeps rain away or how it doesn't break when going 80 plus down the highway. It looks just like the header I had on my YJ and lemme tell you it sucked. Constant breakage.

[UTmike]

Originally Posted by CCJ

Yea, that.

And IMO I don't see how that header windshield channel keeps rain away or how it doesn't break when going 80 plus down the highway. It looks just like the header I had on my YJ and lemme tell you it sucked. Constant breakage.

Well my header doesn't keep water out. I bought it used several years ago for my safari top and it leaked then. Now with my viking it still leaks. It's never bugged me that much so I haven't done anything about it. I'm not sure if new ones have the same problem or not.

[neZZr]

I don't have the Viking top, but I do have the same style header that I use with my bikini, and I have NO problems with water coming in. Mine is the Bestop header and I have no water leaks. Make sure it is pushed as far forward as possible (towards the hood) then tighten it all the way... until the bolt is bottomed out. That will flatten the rubber weatherstrip and make a waterproof seal.

As for breaking at 80mph... it attaches to the windshield frame the same way the factory top does... only better since it uses bolts instead of clamps. There should be no problems there.

[Rob in Arabia]

Originally Posted by bigj1974

has anyone that has had the Viking for a long time now experienced any durability issues? like maybe something with the straps there on corners?

The only issue I know of with the straps is that they used to come with plastic clips which should not be tensioned over about 35pds - I've never had a problem with mine, but apparently some owners would over-tighten them and the plastic would break. I don't mean the bit which hooks on to the tub, but the clip about half-way up the strap which you use to adjust and lock it to the right tightness. Stu Olsen did a great write-up on his Viking top and he has some good pictures of the strap on his website.

I just bought a second Viking top, for my wife's Jeep, and Thor Jonsson at Viking wrote me to mention that he is now using steel instead of plastic on the rear corner straps. I've promised to let him know which I prefer, but as Mrs In Arabia insists on having the top off right now, I haven't had a chance to compare.

We don't get much rain here in southern Arabia, but when it does rain, it is usually torrential. My Jeep has been out in a couple of downpours and the Viking top has performed perfectly - not a drop of rain has got in.

[Mitchin]

i can keep my roll bar padding right???????????

[CCJ]

Originally Posted by MitchintheTrail

i can keep my roll bar padding right???????????

Yeap.