[Jeepster197]

Yes a new top costs that much, but you are getting a full top with hardware and all. With a viking top you have to of already had a factory soft top. Yes a full new top costs $600-$800, but thats not what your getting with a viking. A reply top cost between $250-$350, and you get the same amount of material as a viking. So you see my point here. Please throw in some opinions. Somebody out there has to see what i'm talking about.

[bigchevyman24]

I don't want to point fingers or put down the company, but all I've heard about Viking is that they have VERY poor customer service and it takes forever to get anything from them. I do like the top alot though. Pricing seems fair, maybe a little high, but if that's what you want that's what you'll pay...

[Hogwild]

Originally Posted by bigchevyman24

I don't want to point fingers or put down the company, but all I've heard about Viking is that they have VERY poor customer service and it takes forever to get anything from them. I do like the top alot though. Pricing seems fair, maybe a little high, but if that's what you want that's what you'll pay...

Viking is always getting confused with the other fast-back top company (California Tops). Viking's customer service is great. I have talked to Thor several times and it is very frustrating for him to continue to have the reputation of his company questioned simply because of similarity of product between his top and the other. Anyone that has actually dealt with either Thor or Jon (or any of the employees at Viking or Winchline) knows that they are one of the best.

The guy at California Tops has really upset several customers. Do a search you will find tons of information.

[zachv]

Nice write-up, Stu--as usual. BTW, people can buy them at the special price found...--> here.

Regarding customer service, that person must be thinking of another company. Viking Offroad and Winchline.com have absolutely fabulous customer service. Thor will get on the phone with anyone and help however he can. If it was truly Viking you were thinking of, bigchevyman24, I would contact Thor immediately as their reputation is very highly regarded in their company.

[Toolshed]

A question for you guys who already own a Viking. What do you do with it when your riding topless? Do you have to leave the whole thing at home or can you just take it with you? I always ride with the top down whenever possible but we have afternoon t-storms all summer long. Obviously you can't fold the Viking up and down like my oem softop. Just curious.

[87warrior]

Originally Posted by Toolshed

A question for you guys who already own a Viking. What do you do with it when your riding topless? Do you have to leave the whole thing at home or can you just take it with you? I always ride with the top down whenever possible but we have afternoon t-storms all summer long. Obviously you can't fold the Viking up and down like my oem softop. Just curious.

I am usually in the "safari" position with the Viking. Although, you could easily roll it up and stick it where the factory top would sit. The top is very easy to work with not attached to the Jeep.

[Toolshed]

Originally Posted by 87warrior

I am usually in the "safari" position with the Viking. Although, you could easily roll it up and stick it where the factory top would sit. The top is very easy to work with not attached to the Jeep.

Makes sense. Plus, just realized that I could leave the safari top part installed if I need throw my raingear cover on. Well, maybe not with the door surrounds installed. Hmm. Too many variables!!!

[sealion2288]

Your Raingear cover will fit with the door surrounds...mine does.

[bigchevyman24]

Originally Posted by Hogwild

Viking is always getting confused with the other fast-back top company (California Tops). Viking's customer service is great. I have talked to Thor several times and it is very frustrating for him to continue to have the reputation of his company questioned simply because of similarity of product between his top and the other. Anyone that has actually dealt with either Thor or Jon (or any of the employees at Viking or Winchline) knows that they are one of the best.

The guy at California Tops has really upset several customers. Do a search you will find tons of information.

My bad. Good to hear. I thought there was only one fastback company as they look the same. The Viking top does sound like a good option, but as said, stray away from the California Tops lol...

[Kono]

Great thread. Going to have to get me one. Thanks for all the info.

[Stu Olson]

Originally Posted by Echoman

P.S. I'll contact PSC about sending you a full cage kit shipped to your door. I can't promise they'll do it though!

Echoman

Outstanding! But don't take it personally if I don't stand by the door during the next week waiting for the guy with the brown truck to pull up with a big box, OK?

Hey, I was mostly pulling your leg.....I really didn't think you expected me to know but since you had my name in there, I couldn't miss the opportunity to rag on you a bit.

[Stu Olson]

Originally Posted by bigchevyman24

I don't want to point fingers or put down the company, but all I've heard about Viking is that they have VERY poor customer service and it takes forever to get anything from them. I do like the top alot though. Pricing seems fair, maybe a little high, but if that's what you want that's what you'll pay...

As others have said, you must be confusing Viking with the other company.

Let me give you yesterday's example of Viking Offroad's customer service:

When I found that the rear straps were missing, I sent Thor an e-mail on Sunday. Tuesday, when I got home from work, I had a response from an employee stating that Thor was on vacation and that if possible, could I please wait. I responded that I certainly could as the bungee cords I was using worked just fine....and if he could ensure Thor got my message about the missing straps, I would appreciate it.

Yesterday, when I got home from work and checked my e-mail, I had another e-mail from Thor's employee thanking me for my patience and he ensured me Thor would be made aware of the problem.

5 e-mails farther into my inbox, I find yet another e-mail stating that he had gotten in touch with Thor (still on vacation) and Thor instructed him to send me a replacement top. He indicated he had included a return UPS label so that I could return the 1st top when I got the chance.

Have we established a threshold for excellent customer service? I vote yes!

Edit: I've never met Thor and have exchanged but two e-mail with him. The first was to respond to a notice that my top was being shipped and the second to confirm the top had arrived. If I ever do get the chance to meet him face to face, I'll be shaking his hand and saying thank you.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by Stu Olson

As others have said, you must be confusing Viking with the other company.

Let me give you yesterday's example of Viking Offroad's customer service:

When I found that the rear straps were missing, I sent Thor an e-mail on Sunday. Tuesday, when I got home from work, I had a response from an employee stating that Thor was on vacation and that if possible, could I please wait. I responded that I certainly could as the bungee cords I was using worked just fine....and if he could ensure Thor got my message about the missing straps, I would appreciate it.

Yesterday, when I got home from work and checked my e-mail, I had another e-mail from Thor's employee thanking me for my patience and he ensured me Thor would be made aware of the problem.

5 e-mails farther into my inbox, I find yet another e-mail stating that he had gotten in touch with Thor (still on vacation) and Thor instructed him to send me a replacement top. He indicated he had included a return UPS label so that I could return the 1st top when I got the chance.

Have we established a threshold for excellent customer service? I vote yes!

Edit: I've never met Thor and have exchanged but two e-mail with him. The first was to respond to a notice that my top was being shipped and the second to confirm the top had arrived. If I ever do get the chance to meet him face to face, I'll be shaking his hand and saying thank you.

As you know Stu, I know both Jon and Thor personally and on a business level.

I've wheeled with both in JV and they came out in support of the King of the Hammers race both as vendors and to help us run our checkpoint. They were also very generous in their support of the raffle held strictly for the volunteers. I think they gave away more than a 100 hats, several gear bags, some spotter lines, and two full Viking Winchlines knowing full well they had a very limited audience.

You won't run into a pair of nicer folks anywhere.

[raskull]

While it took a long while to get my top in the first place (I've had it over a year now), the service was always top notch.

I've written back and forth with Thor a few times now, and he is a great guy to deal with.

My new top is here (picking it up tomorrow at UPS), and I can't wait to try it out. They shipped it out at their expense and are supplying a UPS return for the costs to send my old one back.

---------

To answer a question from earlier about the top in "no top" mode.. I put the windows in the supplied bag, lay it on the floor in the back (no back seat). Then I fold up the top and lay it on top in the back. You might want to tie it down like this with a single bungee cord, but I have been on the highway like this and it flutters around a tad, but has never started to lift out.

If you were so inclined as others have stated, it can easily be rolled up and put in the back between the seats, or inside the tailgate across the wheel wells like the stock top sits when down.

[Stu Olson]

Blaine, I hear you. I spent a nice weekend at WEROCK with Jon last year and he is certainly good people. I've no doubt it runs in the family and my recent experience confirms that.

I added a page to the write-up to wrap up the missing strap issue and get some photos of the fastback part of the top.

Here is the last installment:

http://www.stu-offroad.com/body/vikingtop/vikingtop-5.htm