Snap Top or Fast Track?

[ScoutRugger]

I need to get a new soft top for my 76' Scout II but I have heard different things from people as to which is better. The websites I have looked at have said that Fast Track is the way to go however, while chatting I was told that the Fast Track sucks.

Snap Top or Fast Track?

ScoutRugger

[Southern Scout]

I have no usefull information, but I do however have an interjection regarding your request. I would like to see Can-Back make a top for the scout II. They make a very presentable top. This company makes a custom fit soft top for the EB's and for the second generation blazer, but alas, no IH models.

[OleYeler]

I have the FastTrac and I like the look but the only thing I can say bad about it is the ends at the rear of the truck don't stay down. The plastic hooks broke on both sides. When I take it off for the summer, I plan on taking it to an upholstery shop to have them put snaps on it which will solve that problem.

As far as which is better, it's a personal choice....

[hounddog]

i have the fast track and i like it for the most part, but like what was said earlier the plastic hooks aren't really very durable. if had to do it agian i would probably get the snap top just for the fact that the snaps look better, but have you ever tried to get them damn snaps off

[BigEddie]

I have the FasTrac on my 800 and, like hounddog and OleYeller (guess the board has gone to the dogs ), I hate the rear corners.

I solved the problem by spending a couple bucks at Wal-Mart on snaps. I put two snaps at each corner and used screws to attach the male snaps to the tracks. Works great now, and I can get the top off in almost no time on nice days.

Like a snap top, it still takes some effort on cool cloudy days, but you are dealing with four big tracks per side (on the 800) instead of several little snaps that make your fingers go numb.

When it's time to get a softie for the Scout II, I'm getting another FasTrac.

[JerryD]

I've read of people having issues with the snapping corners in the past, and I was wondering if perhaps this might be due to the initial installation being too taut? Know what I mean? Or should the corners be made of something more durable (aluminum)?

[Wesley]

I have the Bestop soft top for the SII. It snaps closed. Easy to install....easy to roll up....has held up very well the last two years...almost three years. The only compliant I have is the velcro overlap for the rear of the door windows...they need to be snaps instead of velcro.

[BigEddie]

Originally Posted by JerryD

I've read of people having issues with the snapping corners in the past, and I was wondering if perhaps this might be due to the initial installation being too taut? Know what I mean? Or should the corners be made of something more durable (aluminum)?

Are you talking about the Fast Track tops or the tops that have all snaps?

With the track tops, failure it is partly due to the corners being taught, but your top is supposed to be a very snug fit. The corner pieces on mine, over time, broke away. What I should clarify is that the tracs on the rear corners are plastic, but they are closed at one end, unlike the side tracks. The closed ends have a lot of stress on them from the sharp corner of the metal retaining strip on the body. On mine, the plastic track stretched at its end and finally broke.

As I mentioned in a previous post, adding two snaps solved the problem. I really don't see why the manufacturers won't do that.

[cam saure]

Myself I prefer the snaps over fastrac. Fastrac does seal a bit better but is a PITA when cold. Also the fastrac plastic does fail. Snaps are easy to replace. I have noticed a draft in winter coming in between the snaps. This I remedied by using camper/topper foam weatherstrip on the rails. Around the snaps I used a 5/8 leather punch to make holes in the weather stripping. You don't need to hit it with a hammer, just push and twist. I remove the foam in the summer and replace again in the fall. I would bet the "which type is better" topic is another one we will all never agree on. Cam

[JerryD]

Yeah I was referring to the Fast Trac. I had a similar system on a Wrangler, but Jeep had used aluminum tracks. Worked great. The only problem I've had with snaps in the past is the snap breaking (no biggie to repair, just annoyin), and not as good of a seal as a track system. I improved on the sealing by installing a thin piece of foam along the edge when I replaced all the snaps. Worked real well.