Q. I have a 1992-1996 Ford
Full Size Bronco and my Hard Top and body is just like the 1980-1991 models, Why does your
catalog list a top for 1980-1991 Ford Broncos and not the 1992-1996 Ford Broncos ?
A. You are right the
body and hard top is the same, Except for ONE thing. All 1992 and after Bronco's had
Hard Top Mounted 3rd. Brake lamps mandated by Federal DOT regulations. The Kayline soft
top does not have any provisions for installing or relocating the 3rd. brake light
therefore the top can not be advertised for sale on 1992-1996 models. The 1980-1991
Kayline soft top will fit these vehicles but can only be offered for sale in non DOT
markets for 1992-1996.
Q. What is the difference
between the -01 Black Vinyl and the -14 Black Denim and which one is best or last longer?
A. The basic material
is the exact same. Weight and longevity is the same. The only difference is the top
coating of the material. The black vinyl is a shinny or slick type surface while the black
denim is a deniminized vinyl but appearance makes it look more like a canvas type
material. The black denim has more of a fine grain impression to the final top layer
while the vinyl has a grain it is much larger and appearance makes it look a little more
like leather with more of a luster. Over all the black vinyl is somewhat easier to
clean than the denim due to the grain of the final finish. More or less the choice is a
personal choice between the two. If you want more luster, go with vinyl -01. If you want
stock on later years with a duller more canvas look then black denim -14 is for you.
Black Vinyl was used as a stock color on Jeep® vehicles
until the early 80's when black denim was introduced. Black vinyl was never used STOCK on
the Wrangler, although many prefer to replace the black denim with black vinyl.
Q. I have a 1988-1995
Wrangler and I do not know which top to pick to replace my Original Factory Top. Do I need
a full kit or can I use a skin replacement top?
A. If you have ALL the OLD
FACTORY hardware and it is in good working condition, you can use the 119-036-XX
Skin replacement kit. This kit comes complete with ALL NEW Top , window glass panels and
upper half door skins. It does not contain hardware and requires ALL your old
hardware to be functional. To install the door skins requires you to remove the old
material from your upper half door frames and then fit the new skins down over the old
frames. ( like a glove fits). This kit is NOT identical to the OLD top, some design
improvements are incorporated. Please refer to the instruction sheet included. You
can not mix and match factory panels and Kayline panels. You must use all the included
pieces.
If you have a 1987 Wrangler, You must use the 119-300-XX series top with all new hardware, because of a design
change in 1988 there is NOT a skin kit available for the 1987 Wrangler. This also
holds true if your old factory hardware is missing or not in good working order. You can
also use the 119-300-XX series top with all new hardware if you
want to take advantage of all the new designed hardware improvements of the Kayline 300 series over the factory top!
Q. I am trying to install my
top but it seems to come up very short and I am having a hard time either snapping it or
getting the retainer in the channel ?
A. Always install a new top
by allowing the top material to get as warm as possible before installation. This can be
accomplished by installing the top in a heated garage or by allowing the top to sit in
direct sun until the material is heated and pliable. This will allow the material to
stretch as much as possible during initial installation.
Allow a NEW top to "SET" by not removing
or folding down the top for the 1st. week or so after initial installation. After
this initial set period you will find your new top "forms" to your vehicle and
will be easy to remove and reinstall or fold down and up again.
Q. I am trying to install my
new top with all new hardware and the top is not tight after installation and sags and
flaps in the wind ?
A. This is generally a
failure to follow the instructions and take proper measurements. * The MOST CRITICAL
measurement is the distance from the top of the windshield frame to the rear tail gate.
If this measurement is "OFF" it will necessitate that the windshield
frame be adjusted to allow for the proper measurement. How do
I do this? The windshield over the years can and usually does
tend to tilt inward due to many reasons ( Bad Cowl Weather Strip, Constant pressure from
the tension of the old soft top, etc.) The Frame can be adjusted by loosening the
two large knobs on the dash of the Jeep. Once Loose you can push the frame back into
position and retighten the adjusters. If the adjusters will not keep it in place, you may
need to replace the cowl gasket and or add shimming under the frame to move it back
into position.
Another common problem is failure to place the BOW
brackets in the proper location. Be sure to place according to directions and
measurements. The Bow brackets have as much affect on proper fit as the windshield
adjustment.
Q. How much time will it
take to install a new Full Soft Top with all new hardware on my Jeep CJ or Wrangler ?
A. The amount of time
depends on your personal ability. A full soft top kit is best installed with a helper. The
helper can lend a hand in holding, stretching, sorting hardware etc. Typically a new
installation can take from between 3.5 to 6 hours depending on your mechanical ability and
your vehicle's condition. In most cases only simple standard hand tools are
required. Some tops kits require a drill and the usual assortment of wrenches, sockets and
screw drivers. NEVER set a time schedule to install a new top. Dedicate a DAY to the
project, you will always be assured of plenty of time and less stress when your
installation is not rubbing against the wife's/husband's schedule. #1 - ALWAYS
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS - STEP BY STEP - If you cut a corner or skip a step , You may just be
adding time to your installation.
Q. Which is easier to
install, The Snap Style Top or the Fast Trac Series Top ?
A. By far the Fast Track
Belt rail type top is easier and less time consuming to install.
Q. I want to get a
special color or special ordered feature, how long does it take ?
A. The average manufacturing
cycle runs between 2 and 3 weeks with additional time required during the peak
season. Non-Stocking colors are CUT one top at a time Vs cutting several per cut of
a stocking color. This special cut goes on a different line than standard colors and
requires some additional time. You can rest assured the top is being custom manufactured
for You. You must also allow for shipping/delivery time after manufacture.
Q. I have a hard top
and hard doors on my 1988 Wrangler and I want to put a Kayline Soft Top on it for summer
use. Do I have to order a special top to fit my hard doors ? And If I want to add
soft doors do I have to have a different top ?
A. The Kayline Soft tops for
CJ7 and Wrangler-95' are designed to work with OEM full steel doors or the Kayline Full
Soft Doors or the OEM 1/2 Steel doors with Kayline upper half doors. Some top
companies make you buy a soft top to work with full steel doors and then another to work
with soft doors, NOT KAYLINE! The Kayline Soft top can utilize the Hard Door or
Kayline's soft door. No need to buy TWO tops or NOT have the ability to use either door.
Doors can be purchased as a pair later if you decide on the Top with NO door option to fit
the OEM steel doors.
Q. I have hard doors
on my CJ, will the Kayline top latch to the existing door striker for the hard door ?
A. No, Not all Jeeps came
with hard doors from the factory, so not all Jeeps have the door striker panel welded in
the body. Kayline utilizes their own latch striker mounted a little higher than the hard
door striker. This does two things, It allows users to utilize the same soft top for both
applications and door systems plus by mounting the soft door striker a little higher it
keeps the soft door from "bowing out" at freeway speeds and provides for less
wind noise.
Q. I am installing a
"skin" replacement top on my 1995 Jeep Wrangler with OEM hardware. I have found
the Kayline Skin Kit is slightly different than my old top, Specifically, the plastic on
the side panel inserts does not seem to be wide enough to be retained ONLY by the plastic
in the channel.
A. Yes you are correct. No
one can produce and EXACT copy of the original due to patents. Kayline believes they have
improved the original design by sewing the plastic strip into the material. You no longer
have just a small plastic strip to insert. You insert the entire leading edge of the
material ( including the sewn in plastic strip) into the channel then fold the material
back over the channel. This provides for a smoother look and tighter fit in the channel.
Q. What do I have to remove after installing the
Kayline Soft top on my 1779 Bronco to put the hard top back on ?
A. You will need to remove
the top retainer aluminum that the top snaps to. This channel is mounted into the same
area that the hard top bolts. The holes are covered by the hard top after
reinstalling. The only exposed snaps are those mounted in the tailgate.
This F.A.Q. is provided as a service from Turner 4WD Parts
Company derived from frequently asked questions over the last few years in regards to
Kayline products. This information is provided for reference only and does not necessarily
represent the view of the manufacturer.
© 1997 Turner 4WD Parts Company, Inc. Reproduction or
distribution strictly prohibited with out permission.
