Topic: Frameless top Viking vs. California top

[bigchelis]

I really want a frameless top.  I got an email from Viking saying the sailcloth frameless will go back for sale $675 or denim $650 in about 30 days.  Also California tops has it for $700, denim. 

Im concerned with noise more than anything.  I know a hardtop would be the #1 choice for this

I emailed California tops and the owner said the noise is gone with his frameless.  I emailed again cause thats to good to be true and he replied "considerable difference".  He does sell a soft top liner that can lessen noise in half allegedly.  Has anyone experieced any succes with his top or liner combo noise wise?  How would you compare the noise to a hardtop or soft top?

Also Viking Frameless top is cheaper, less shipping, and available in sailcloth which is better at noise reduction.  Anyone have any feedback on this?  If anyone has this one how is noise compared to a framed softtop.

Thanks,

[Jeffy]

A friend of mine loves his CA Top.  If I was going to get a new soft top I'd really consider a frameless.  They can be tightened down fairly tight and I doubt they are any noisier then a framed top of equal quality.  Actually I really like the Multi-top concept.

The Viking Fast Back soft top has been placed on temporary production hold due to a manufacturing issue.

Production of the tops will resume as soon as possible, however, the date has yet to be determined. Please check this website for further updates.

Actually the Viking Offroad top looks like the old Rock Gear's WindBreaker System.

[flyingbrick]

I am going to be selling my CA multi-top in the next couple of weeks, i just have to get my a$$ in gear and sort out my junk.

[oldjeep]

California tops - that guy is still in business? 

[chrisfranklin]

If the California Tops owner is able to keep that business going, you gotta give him credit.  Frankly, I kind of like the idea of relatively custom-made gear, even if we are talking Jeep tops.  Course, the counter is:  Dude we're talking a vehicle that's probably going to see that top destroyed in a second if you roll, go through brush/tight trails next to trees.  If I buy one, I'd probably only use it on the street or on terrain you know pretty well in advance.   

[bigchelis]

flyingbrick,

Since you have used the California Top: was the noise significantly reduced with it?  Any other feedback?

[flyingbrick]

Um it was hard to tell as i was going from a hard top to the multi-top, from my experience it was not too bad, as long as you have a ''top prop'' of sorts, it makes a HUGE difference in wind buffeting.
But to be honast i never ran the full top just the bakiny in summer and half top in winter and rain.
No matter what you have to remeber it is a soft top your going to have some noise, and i would not run the muti-top in winther again, but it is one of the best summer tops you'll find IMO.

[flyingbrick]

Again sorry for the double post i am going to format this computer this weekend to stop the crashing.

Um it was hard to tell as i was going from a hard top to the multi-top, from my experience it was not too bad, as long as you have a ''top prop'' of sorts, it makes a HUGE difference in wind buffeting.
But to be honest i never ran the full top just the bikini in summer and half top in winter and rain.
No matter what you have to remember it is a soft top your going to have some noise, and i would not run the multi-top in winter again, but it is one of the best summer tops you'll find IMO.

one last thing is that i got one of the first multi-tops for the YJ so maybe Tim has fixed some of the problems i have had.

[oldjeep]

If the California Tops owner is able to keep that business going, you gotta give him credit. 

Pretty amazing isn't it.  He seems to make some good stuff, but is a complete nut bag.   If you have followed any of his antics over the years, Cutch is a member of my club and Wheelie lives about 5 miles away.  I'd trust either one of them.