Kayline frame, Bestop canvas=frustration

[jed]

Bought a soft top off a year+ ago online, and finally got around to wanting to install it, and noticed Kayline frame, Bestop canvas. Got the Kayline snap rails installed before I noticed the different parts. Anyone ever do this? before I get any further in drilling holes all over my body and have a complete meltdown, (and I KNOW better to check my parts, but I didn't) and I want reassured this can be done to make it fit. I know the snaps won't match up, but I'm starting to feel like Tom Hanks in The Money Pit.

[Will Marsh]

I've never done this, but here's what I can tell you from owning a Kayline and seeing it next to a truck with a Bestop on it.

You can probably make it work. Both sit in similar profiles when correctly installed, but the Kayline mounts lower and wider on the bedrails. If I was going to try it:

I'd minimally mount the snap rails and windshield channel on the truck, then mock up the window frames and top supports with the canvas. Put it in the windshield channel and connect the snaps at the tailgate corners.

Use that to decide where the snaps need to be adjusted and where to mount the brackets for the top supports. Adjust as necessary to make it all work.

I expect you'll have to move the first snap back as far as you can make the canvas still attach to the window frames, and you may still not be able to zip the tailgate flap all the way down. If that's the case you'll have to decide if you want to live with the compromises you have to make.

HTH,

Will Marsh

[Jeff Bade]

I've owned both and personally I think they are too different.

Maybe if you can find someone local who has the correct one you can make changes to the frame to make it work.

But I'd call around to all the scout vendors and try and get the correct frame.

It's not worth the headache unless you really want to start fabricating..

[1977 SS Deuce]

That sucks. Hope it works out for you.

[jed]

At this point I'm just going to try and make it fit. No other choice after what I have invested in it. Unless I can find a cheap bestop frame somewhere.

[Jeff Jamison]

I had a set of brackets still in the box somewhere in my garage,at least the window suround and the 1/4 peices,almost every thing except the tubes that hold the top up,I will look and see what brand it is,will let you know
Jeff

[jed]

That'd be awesome. Thanks Jeff!

[Jeff Jamison]

Its new,including the instructions,just missing the the pipes that hold the top up,will pm you
Jeff