Off-Road.Com - Toyota Section - Kayline 4Runner Soft Top Review

Feb. 01, 2006 By Scott Wilson


Toyota Section Reviewer's
Notebook

I was expecting to sacrifice a significant amount of comfort to gain all of the good stuff that comes with having a soft top.  Kayline has proven to me that you really can have the best of both worlds: protection from the elements you need when the weather gets bad, and the huge 'fun factor' that goes along with a soft top. Up until recently my view of soft tops was that they were noisy, leaky, cold, and generally miserable.  I thought that soft tops were -only- for when the weather was nice.  One month ago I installed a Kayline soft top of my first generation 4Runner.  Two days after I installed it the rain started, and it didn't stop for more than a week.  Was I miserable in my noisy, leaky and cold 4Runner?  Nope.  It was actually quite pleasant.  Now that the weather has warmed up a bit, I'm taking full advantage of the fun factor.  In only a couple of minutes the Kayline top can change from fully enclosed to fully convertible.  The top can be unsnapped, windows neatly folded, and the entire top folded back onto the tailgate. 

If you prefer an open air feel, but don't want the sun beating down upon the back of your neck, the top can also be transformed into a canopy.  Instead of folding the windows up in the top, you roll the rear window and sides up, and secure them with the straps built into the top.  This has quickly become my favorite option about the top.  You get almost the same amount of air through the vehicle, but don't have the sun directly on you.
 The vinyl top is well crafted and fit the truck perfectly.  The top is available in many colors, and in more than one texture.  I chose the black, smooth vinyl for my 4Runner.  The vinyl has a cloth backing that makes the inside look quite nice, and helps to cut wind noise.  The bows and hardware are all steel, and the rails that must be mounted to the vehicle are made of aluminum. Any do-it-yourselfer can install this top in a day.  Installation took me about 6 hours, including a meal and a trip to the hardware store for more 1/8" drill bits.  Follow along as I give you a fly-by of the installation. INSTALLATION

 

Of course you must begin by removing the factory hard top.  Consult your owners manual for instructions.  You'll need only a 12mm socket and a phillips screwdriver.  The installation requires no special tools.  I do recommend having two drills around though.  We cut a lot of time (and muscle wrenching!!) off our installation by having one drill with a phillips bit in it, and using the other to drill our holes.  You will drill over 50 holes before this installation is complete (about half are drilled into the 4Runner body).  I recommend also having several 1/8" drill bits handy.  I broke five 1/8" bits during this installation.  When drilling through the cab the drill bits often went through the first layer of sheet metal, caught more metal inside the cab structure and broke off. Step 1- Body Aluminum

 

 

 

Mount rear body aluminum to top edge of body.  Match the bend of the aluminum body piece to the bend in the raised part of the body.  Drill holes, and attach with sheet metal screws as described in Kayline's instructions.




 

 

 

Step 2 - Tailgate Aluminum

Mount tailgate aluminum to the top edge of tailgate centered from side to side.  Tailgate aluminum should be mounted as far to the rear of flat edge on tailgate as possible.  Drill holes and secure with sheet metal screws as described in Kayline's instructions.



Step 3 - Cab Aluminum 

 

 

 

Remove rubber weatherstrip from rear of cab.  Save for future use with your hard top.  As per Kayline instructions, attach cab aluminum and bend to fit shape of cab. 



Step 4 - Bow Mount   &   Step 5 - Bows

Measure 42" from rear of cab and mark for position of bow mount.  Install bow mount and bows as per instructions. 



Step 6 - Horizontal Rods

Mark and drill 1/2" hole, 3/8" above body seam at rear of cab.  Pull front bow forward and insert small end of horizontal rod into hole in front bow.  Insert other end into 1/2" hole drilled in rear of cab.



Step 7 - Footman Loop
Place footman loop on top of body at rear corner of vehicle (see drawing in Kayline instructions) Drill 1/8" holes and attach using #8x1/2" oval head sheet metal screws. Installing Vinyl Top
When installing the soft top the surrounding temperature should be 70 degrees or more.  When I was installing my top the temperature was only 55-60 degrees and it was causing a lot of trouble with the installation. 

My solution to the temperature problem was to put my space heater in the 4Runner with the top draped in place.  I was able to get the inside of the truck up around 90 degrees, which made the vinyl top soft and pliable.  This trick was a life saver!!



The fit of the vinyl top is absolutely custom, which insures a great fit.  It also requires you to install it just as the instructions say.  There are no holes drilled into the aluminum rails you previously installed.  You must first drill holes in the proper place to attach the snaps for the top.  You use the vinyl top as your template.  This ensures the top will fit as it was designed.



Begin at the top center of the cab.  Install the first snap stud, and attach the top.  Now you will begin working your way down the sides of the cab, alternating left and right with each stud you install.  As you go stretch the top tight, and locate the the proper place to install each stud.  Snap top to each stud before installing next stud.



Snap rear bow flap on vinyl top to rear bow.



Measure and mark the center of your tailgate.  Drill hoes and install studs as per Kayline instructions.  Alternate left to right as you did on the cab.  Stretch the vinyl as you go... its a tight fit.



Just as you installed the studs on the cab you will now install the studs along the sides.  Begin at the rear corner and work your way forward.  Snap top to each stud before installing next stud.



Once the last of the studs are put in place,  your installation is finished. You're ready to go out and have fun in your new soft top. If you want to reinstall your hard top one day, the aluminum rails will need to be removed from the body. Its a small price to pay for the fun and weather protection you get with the Kayline top. 

Contact Info
Kayline - Email
200 E. 64th Ave
Denver, CO 80221
800-525-8118
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