4Runner Soft Top Installation Instructions

Very important !! We believe that if you read these instructions from start to finish and look at all the pictures you will probably be able to do the entire installation without looking at them again. If you do need to peek at them again that’s okay too.

Remove hardtop from vehicle.Important: Leave factory weather seal in place on top rear edge of metal cab area. Keep the bolts with the large washers handy, you’ll need them soon. If needed, we have the bolts available for sale.If your factory seal appears to be in poor condition it should be replaced. You should be able to purchase one from your Toyota dealer.Remove the contents from the Packaging.The first thing to install is the Flat Aluminum header bar with the snap studs on it. It is shipped in two pieces, with a joining plate and four screws. Join the two long pieces as shown below. The header bar should be installed with the snap studs on the forward-most half. The exposed rivet heads will be rearward.

Using the bolts from your hard top, secure the header bar in place with the four top middle bolts only. Now, while pulling downward and pressing inward close to the bend, shape the curved area of the header bar tightly against the contour of the vehicle’s cab / existing weather seal. Secure all remaining bolts to the cab. If the desired seal is not achieved after this point you may have to remove the bar and bend it a little more so that when re-installed it will hold tight to the weather seal. You may also need to form a small inward bend on the bar below the lowest mounting points.

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Clean the header bar with a 50/50 solution of alcohol & water to be sure all residue is removed. Adhere the supplied bulb seal to the header bar as shown - with the small flange on the bulb seal facing forward and upward. The weather stripping length is longer than the total length of the header bar. Start with a 2-inch overhang of bulb seal on one end. Once applied, cut the bulb seal on the other end at a 2-inch overhang. Now, fold the 2-inch overhang and adhere around to the underside of the header bar Note: the below photo is for illustration only - you should already have the header bar on your vehicle.

Next are the bedrails.There is a left and a right. The most common problem with these installations is mixing up these two parts. Join the bedrails as each bedrail comes in 2 pieces. The left one will have a label on it that says “Driver Side Front” The other says nothing. Attach by installing your hard top bolts into the three locations on the bedrail of the vehicle. The foam weather stripping is already installed. Included is a length of bulb-type weather stripping, which can be cut to length and applied in the lower front rounded corners to aid in sealing.

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You will now need to attach the plastic parts to the rear inside of the 1-inch square bedrails. The one marked (A) goes on the driver side and the other, marked (B) goes on the passenger side. Install the adjustable snap-fit parts with the #12 screws provided.

Note: The two photos directly above are for illustration purposes only. You will have fabric sleeves on your framework vs. the foam shown in the photos. Also, the two straps at the rear of the vehicle will attach to the plastic parts that you have installed at the rear of the bedrails. The chrome-plated eye hooks will be towards the FRONT of the vehicle.

Next, put the two 1” adjustable crossbar straps on the rear bow.Now assemble the main framework. The round aluminum bows and their pivoting counterparts will snap together. They are color coded on one side near the joint to match up with each other. Caution: Try not to pinch your fingers when fitting these parts.

The bar with the snap studs on it will be to the rear of the vehicle when installed. Place the Bow frame assembly up onto the rear of the vehicle and remove the circular clips from the pivot pins on the bedrails. Position the frame onto the pivot pins and replace the circular clips.

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For Illustration…

These photos represent the rear of

the driver-side bedrail

Time to grab the fabric canopy. Unfold the canopy and drape it up over the roll bar.Attach the snaps to the rear bow section. Place the support straps between the 2nd and 3rd snap on each end of the rear bow. Now pull the rest of the canopy forward and attach the snaps to the front/cab installation. Just the nine horizontal snaps for now

Attach the support straps around the remaining forward bow and push the bow forward a few feet. Adjust all webbing straps to a loose position for now and tighten later. Now you are ready to attach the remaining front vertical snaps and then work your way towards the rear, snap after snap. Pull down on the rear bow if you need to. Note: New tops can be quite taut. The straps on the rear of the frame can be secured and pulled tight to help. Loosen them after so the fabric is under tension. This will help it to stretch and set. Now do the other side.

Note:Located on the forward legs of most 4Runner roll bars is a welded threaded circle that was designed to accommodate three point seatbelt installations. We have included a length of protective rubber that can be cut to length and installed over these welded areas to protect the side curtain windows, in the event they come in contact.

VELCRO – OPTIONAL - Take the 3 pieces of Velcro Tape.With the rear window panel installed pull down the zippers and adjust so that the back flap sits nicely along the top of the tailgate. Tug gently on the back flap and find the place where it seems to sit easily. There is Velcro (loop) sewn along the bottom inside edge of the back flap. This is where the Velcro tape must line up once installed on the tailgate. Not too high, not too low. Just right so it won't be seen when the back is zipped down and secured. Tip: Use a removable crayon to help you line things up. Don't pull off the sticky backing yet.Note: Be sure to clean the area (remove any wax or dirt) where the Velcro will be installed. Install one dead-center, and the other two on opposite ends of the tailgate (see photo).Note: Wrap an extra ½ inch or so at each end around the edge of the tailgate. When it is even, carefully press it against the tailgate and press along back and forth to make sure it is firmly attached everywhere.Note: Velcro tape will reach maximum holding strength after 24 hours.

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Plastic tailgate protectors generally have a waxy surface (which reduce the holding strength of the Velcro glue) so it is best to apply the Velcro directly on the paint.

Flip the back flap down and retest again for evenness. Peel off the sticky backing, and then very carefully line it up evenly along the tailgate.

Rear Bar Flap Insert a 12-inch bar tube into each end of the longer 7/8-inch tube, with the plastic end caps out. Press the bar assembly into the snap-fit parts on the bedrail, adjusting the total length as necessary for a tight side-to-side fit. The idea is to have the larger tube centered and have as little side-to-side movement as possible once secured in the plastic parts and have equal lengths of the smaller tubes protruding from each end. Mark the location of where the smaller tubes enter the larger tube. The longer tube has pre-drilled holes in each end. These holes will be used to guide a 1/8 inch drill bit into the smaller tube. Hold the smaller tube securely in the larger tube at the correct location and drill through. Install the #20 screw and repeat on the other end. Insert the finished tube assembly into the window panel sleeve, press into snap-fit parts on both sides and check fit.

Retracting the 4Runner Softopper:Important: Do not drive with the top retracted unless the boot cover is in place and the top is secured down. We don’t want it to become a parachute.

Important: Retracting or closing the top when the temperature is below 40 degrees is asking for trouble. This will void the warranty on the windows, as clear vinyl plastic can crack very easily at these temperatures. This top is meant to be a warm-weather topper. It is not intended to be used during cold temperatures or winter months.

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1. Undo the snaps along the front vertical area and the lower snaps of the side panels and flip the sides up and lay them evenly and flat on the roof portion.

2. Flip the un-zippered rear window up onto the roof as well, or remove.3. Remove the front snaps from the cab and fold the fabric in equal sections or so it will fit neatly in

the protective boot cover, (included). The top can also be retracted forward but will block the use of the rear passenger seats.

Please call us at 1-800-810-7227 if you have any questions.Or email us at info@softopper.com

www.softopper.com

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Warranty

We warrant our 4Runner Softopper to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year, with the exception of vinyl windows and zippers, provided there has been normal use and proper maintenance.

Vinyl Windows are warranted for a period of 3 months from the date of purchase.

Zippers are guaranteed to be in perfect working condition when leaving the factory. Due to atmospheric conditions, dirt, sand, road grime, dust, and abrasive cleaners, etc., zippers are warranted for a period of 6 months from the date of purchase.

Toyota 4 Runner side curtain windows are warranted for 45 days from the date of purchase.

Returns must be pre-approved and have Softoppers issued RGA number attached. Any defective items must be returned with proof of purchase to Softopper 4750 Nautilus Ct S, Unit B Boulder CO 80301, freight pre-paid. Items returned must be carefully packed, in clean condition, with plastic windows protected from scratching and creasing. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from abuse, misuse, alteration, accident or damage in transit. Softoppers obligations under this warranty are limited to the aforementioned repair or replacement of warranty defects for which return authorization has been received during the warranty period, and Softopper SHALL NOTBE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM BREACH OF THIS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY. This warranty applies to the original purchaser only. All remedies under this warranty are limited to repair or replacement of any item or items found to be defective by the factory within the time period specified.

For further information or request for repair work, please contact:Softopper LLC, customer service(800) 810-7227 or (303) 304-0533

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Softopper Care and Maintenance

Your top is made of the finest materials available. To keep it looking new and for product longevity and durability, it will need periodic cleaning and maintenance.

Washing: The fabric should be washed from time to time using a mild soap and warm water. Be sure to rinse all soap off the top when washing is complete.

Vinyl Windows: Windows should be kept clean to avoid scratching. Wash with a water-soaked sponge or cloth and a mild dishwashing detergent. Do not use a coarse brush on the windows and never wipe the windows when they are dry. Be careful when clearing snow and frost from the vinyl windows since they are easily scratched.

Cold weather: As with all automotive and marine clear vinyls, extreme care must be taken when rolling up or folding in cold temperatures. This point cannot be stressed enough! Clear vinyl becomes stiff in cold temperatures and may crack. Retracting the Softopper in cold temperatures is not recommended. When opening the rear of the Softopper in cold weather, be sure to raise the zippers as high as possible so that any folding will occur to the topper fabric and not to the clear vinyl window.

Zippers: Keeping the zippers clean and lubricated with a silicone lubricant will help prevent damage and keep the zippers in smooth working condition.

Leakage: As with any sewn automotive top there is always a slight risk of leakage. Right out of the box the Softopper will not be waterproof. Water seeping through at the seams may be stopped by applying Seam Sure (supplied), on the inside of the affected seams. Shake Seam Sure well and apply liberally to the inside seams concentrating on areas where needle and thread penetrated the fabric.

Snaps: Keep snaps clean and lubricated with a silicone lubricant to help prevent snaps from sticking to the studs. If a snap does become stuck to a stud, use a screwdriver and gently pry apart to prevent damage to the snap or top fabric. If any snaps need to be replaced due to sticking or damage please call Softopper and we can send out a small do-it-yourself repair kit.

For further information please contact:Softopper LLC, customer service(800) 810-7227 or (303) 304-0533

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