Bestop Tigertop User manual

Installation Instructions
INSTALLATION TIME SKILL LEVEL
3 Hours 3 - Moderately Difficult
TOOLS
Vehicle Application
•Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
1964 – 1984
Part Number: 51443
Tigertop™
Includes 1-Piece Full Soft Doors
www.Bestop.com - We’re here to help! Visit our web site and click on “Ask a Question”. Click here for more Jeep Accessories by Bestop.
1/8", 5/32" and
3/16" Bits 10'

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 2
Bow Assembly - Left,
Qty - 1, Part Number
244.53
Parts List and
Hardware Identification
Top Fabric Qty - 1
Door, Right Qty - 1
Door, Left Qty - 1
Self-Adhesive Hook Strip, 8" Qty - 1
Buckle Straps Qty - 2
Paddle Handle
Assembly, Qty - 2,
Part Number 245.46
Door Striker, Qty - 2,
Part Number 256.30
Footman Loop, Qty - 2,
Part Number 272.29
#10-24 Locknut, Qty - 8,
Part Number 195.93
#10-24 Truss Head Machine
Screw - Black, Qty - 12, Part
Number 195.92
#10 x 1/2" Oval Head Screw,
Part Number 155.49, Qty - 4
Because of Generic Packaging, extra parts may be included.
#10 x 1/2" Pan Head Sheet Metal
Screw, Qty - 4, Part Number 1.92
On vehicles built after 1975 that have never had a soft top, a metal
tailgate panel will need to be ordered. Order Part Number 51042-01.
Removing the hard top also removes the tailgate.
Windshield Retainer -
Right, Qty - 1, Part
Number 225.42
Windshield Retainer -
Left, Qty - 1, Part
Number 225.43
Bow Assembly - Right,
Qty - 1, Part Number
244.52
Bow Coupler, Qty - 2,
Part Number 244.73
Horizontal Rod Bracket,
Qty - 2, Part Number 13.85
#8 x 1/2" Pan Head Washer
Screw - Black, Qty - 9, Part
Number 200.48
#10-24 Truss Head Machine
Screw - Black, Qty - 12, Part
Number 195.92
#14 Sheet Metal Screw, Qty - 4,
Part Number 243.51
5/16 x 3/4" Hex
Bolt, Qty - 2,
Part Number
116.03
#10-32 Hex Nut, Qty - 24,
Part Number 151.82
5/16" - 18 Wing
Nut, Qty - 2, Part
Number 151.83
Threaded Body Stud, Qty - 24,
Part Number 151.81

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 3
Windshield Adjustment
Mark Bow Mount Locations
Regardless of what
type of hardware you
currently have on your
vehicle, it is extremely important that you only use
the hardware found in this Convertible Top kit. This
Convertible Top cannot be used with your existing
hardware.
This is the first step you must take in the installation
process and it is also the most important one. Im-
proper windshield adjustment results in poor fitting
of both the top and the doors, as well as misalign-
ment of snaps.
Measure and record the distance from the top
inside edge of the windshield to the top outer edge
of the vehicle body. Take the measurement from
approximately six inches inside the vehicle’s doors.
Check to make sure that both sides measure
equally. To install this top properly, this measure-
ment must be 81".
Adjust your windshield by loosening the Windshield
Clamps and adjusting the brackets. You may then
lean the windshield forward or back as necessary.
Use a shim to fix the windshield in place if it remains
loose after you tighten the screws.
Rear point of
measurement
on body
Inside edge
of windshield
81"
Windshield adjustment should be
made at the windshield brackets
Front
Tape
Measure
Rear point of
measurement
on body
6"
6"
81"
Measure 15 1/2 inches along the top edge of the
vehicle from the door jam. Mark the locations with
a pencil on each side of the vehicle. This will be
the location of the front hole of the Bow Assembly
Mounting Brackets.
Top view - right side of body
15 1/2"
15 1/2"
Mark Location of front
hole of Bow Assembly
Mounting Bracket.
Front Edge of
Door Jam

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 4
Install Bow Assembly
When drilling in the top
edge of the vehicle body,
check underneath for
wiring for the rear lights. Pull the wiring out of the
way before drilling.
This step will require two people.
Locate the left and right Bow Assemblies in the parts
kit. Select one of the assemblies and lay the assem-
bly on the body. Center the front hole of the Bow
Assembly Mount Bracket on the 15 1/2 inch mark.
Using the Bow Mounting Bracket as a template,
center punch and drill a 3/16" hole. Secure the front
hole of the Bow Assembly Mount Bracket with a #14
Sheet Metal Screw. Lift up the BowAssembly and,
again, using the Bow Assembly Mounting Bracket as
a template, mark, center punch and drill a 3/16 inch
hole for the rear of the bracket. Secure the rear hole
with a #14 Sheet Metal Screw. Repeat this proce-
dure on the opposite side of the vehicle. Lay the
Bow Assemblies down onto the body and connect
the Bow Halves together with the Bow Couplers.
Slide the foam sleeves on the front bow to the cen-
ter of the Bow Coupler on the front Bow Assembly.
Left Bow
Assembly
Bow Couplers
Right Bow
Assembly
Mounting
Bracket Left Bow
Assembly
Mounting
Bracket
Left Vertical
Assembly
Right Vertical
Assembly
Left Horizontal
Assembly
Right
Horizontal
Assembly
Right Bow
Assembly
The flat side at the front of the Hori-
zontal Assemblies will mount to the
outside of the existing windshield brackets.
Install Horizontal Rod
Brackets - If Necessary
If your vehicle does not already have Horizontal
Rod Brackets, position the Horizontal Rod Bracket
in the upper corner of the windshield, flush with the
frame. Using the bracket as a template, mark the
location of the (2) holes. Center punch and drill the
5/32" holes. Secure the bracket to the windshield
using (2) #10 Sheet Metal Screws. Repeat this
procedure for the other bracket.
Horizontal Rod
Bracket
#10 S/M
Screws
Windshield
Frame
Rotate the Front Bow Assemblies forward and
insert the VerticalAssemblies into the existing hole
on the top of the body at the rear of the door open-
ings. Secure the front of the Horizontal Assemblies
to the outside of the existing brackets in the upper
corners of the windshield frame using a 5/16 x 3/4"
Hex Bolt and Wing Nut.
Secure Horizontal and Vertical
Assemblies

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 5
If your vehicle currently
hasawindshieldretainer,
it must be removed and
replaced with the enclosed windshield retainer.
A loose windshield retainer may allow the top to dis-
engage from the windshield, causing damage to the
topandpossibleinjurytotheoccupantsofthevehicle.
Make certain that the windshield retainer is securely
fastened to the windshield at the time of first instal-
lation. Check the tightness of the mounting screws
every three months. Do not over-tighten.
Center the Windshield Retainers on top of the wind-
shield frame and butt the retainers up against the
top lip of the windshield frame. Use the retainers
as a template to mark, center punch and drill nine
1/8 inch holes.Use nine #8 x 1/2 Pan Head Washer
Screws. Drill one 1/8 inch hole between the two
halves of the retainer.
There may be existing holes on some vehicles that
may interfere with the holes in the new windshield
retainers. If so, it may be necessary to drill the
retainer holes off to one side.
Install Windshield Retainers
Nine Holes required to
mount Windshield Retainer.
The curved
ends of the
retainers will
hang over the
windshield
frame.
Windshield
Channel
Opening toward
front of vehicle
Front
Install Footman Loops
When drilling in the top
edge of the vehicle body,
check underneath for
wiring for the rear lights. Pull the wiring out of the
way before drilling.
Footman
Loop
#10 x 1/2" Oval Head
Phillips Screws
Install the Footman Loops on the top rear corners
of the vehicle. Use the loops as templates to mark,
center punch and drill 5/32 inch holes. Use two
#10 x 1/2 Oval Head Phillips Screws to secure the
loops in place.

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 6
Install Top on Vehicle
Onvehiclesbuiltafter1975thathavenever
had a soft top, a metal tailgate panel will
need to be ordered. Order Part Number 51042-01.
Removing the hard top also removes the tailgate.
This section will require two people.
Unfold the top and drape it over the front bow. Slip
the black plastic strip sewn along the front of the
top into the Windshield Retainers. Make sure that
the fabric is centered on the windshield. Failure to
center the fabric could result in torn fabric.
Lift the Rear Bow and drape the top over it. Snap
the flaps on the inside of the top to the studs on the
Rear Bow. Locate the Buckle Straps in the parts
kit. Wrap each strap around the corners of the Rear
Bow and snap the straps to themselves. This strap
will hold down the Rear Bow when the Rear Curtain
and Side Panels are rolled up.
Adjust Tension on Top
IMPORTANT: The following steps are extremely important to the fit
of the top and will require two people. Make sure that the top is as
warm as possible before continuing with the installation.
Close the zippers on the Rear Curtain. Slide the
Rear Bow up on the Front Bow and insert the
small bent tab into the bottom of the four holes
in the Front Bow. Front
Bow
Insert tab into
bottom hole
Rear Bow
Install Front Side Panel Studs
Rub chalk on the snaps on the inside of the top to
mark the stud locations.
Move to the front of one of the side panels. Pull the
top fabric down and press the snaps against the
body. The chalk will leave marks for the Body Stud
locations. The Threaded Body Studs should be 1/4
inch below the top lip of the body. Center punch
the mark and drill a 3/16 inch hole at the marked
location. Install a Body Stud and a Hex Nut and
snap the top to the Body Stud. Repeat this proce-
dure on the other side of the vehicle.
Hex NutOutside Inside
Side Wall
Threaded
Body Stud
Locate the front
Body Stud first

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 7
Install Rear Corner Studs
To ensure a good fit, have one person pull down
on the rear bow while the other person pulls the
fabric down and to the rear to locate the rear corner
studs. When you are satisfied with the tightness
of the top, press the snaps against the body. The
chalk will leave marks for the Body Stud locations.
The Threaded Body Studs should be 1/4 inch be-
low the top lip of the body. Center punch the marks
and drill 3/16 inch holes at the marked locations on
each rear corner. Install a Body Stud and Hex Nut
in the rear corners. Snap the top to the corner body
studs.
Install the remaining Threaded
Body Studs on the Side Pan-
els and the Tailgate.Alternate
from side to side as you install
the studs and snap the top to
each new stud. This will keep
the tension of the top evenly
spread.
Install Remaining Studs
Hex NutOutside Inside
Side Wall
Threaded
Body Stud
Install Rear
Corner Studs
Hex NutOutside Inside
Side Wall
Threaded
Body Stud Hex Nut
Threaded
Body Stud
Thread the buckle strap assembly through each
Footman Loop and then back through the buckle.
Do not over tighten.
Wrap the fabric flaps, sewn to the top above and
behind the doors, around the Horizontal and
VerticalAssemblies and fasten the hook and loop
fasteners. Cut the PSA Hook in half and assemble
the PSA Hook on the bevel of the vehicle, where
the two side curtains zip together.
The weather strip in the vertical
flap should lay to the outside of
the Vertical Assembly.
Secure Buckle Straps
Install Self-Adhesive Hook Strip

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 8
Install Doors on Vehicle
Install Paddle Handle on Door
The doors in this prod-
uct are designed only
for protection against
the elements. Do not rely on the doors to contain
occupants within the vehicle or to protect against
injury during an accident. Door handles are only
designed to aid in door closure. Door and handle
will not support a person's weight.
Fold the fabric back and insert the Paddle Handle
into the Paddle Handle Mount on the rear lower
part of each door frame. Make sure that the latch
is toward the rear of the door. Use four #10-24 x
3/8 Truss Head Machine Screws and four #10-
24 Locknuts to secure each Paddle Handle in
place. Do not fully tighten the screws at this point
because they may have to be moved during the
door adjustment.
Paddle Handle
Paddle Handle
Mount
Latch Inside of Door
Left Door shown
Screws
Check that the hinge pins, welded to the door
frames, are aligned along the same axis. Sight
along the hinge pin axis or lay a straight edge
against them. If they have been bent in handling,
they must be straightened before the doors are
hung on the vehicle. If necessary, use a 9/16 inch
box wrench to gently bend the pin into the proper
position. Oil the pins with a light weight oil. Install
the doors by holding them straight out from the
vehicle with the door pins over the body hinge.
Lower the pins into the hinge. Swing the door back
and forth until the pins are fully inserted into the
body hinge. When the pins are properly adjusted,
the doors should slip easily into the body hinges
without forcing them.
Close the door and check all sides to make sure
that the door fits properly against the body. If
necessary, the door may be bent slightly to fit the
contour of the vehicle body.
Hinge Pin
Inside of Door
Existing
Body Hinge

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 9
Install Door Strike
If a hard door strike is present, it must be removed.
Close the door against the body and locate the
Door Strike behind the Paddle Handle Latch. Mark
the center of the slots in the Door Strikes. Center
punch and drill two 3/16 inch holes. Secure the
Door Strikes with two #14 Sheet Metal Screws. The
Door Strikes may be adjusted in or out until you are
satisfied with the way the door shuts and opens.
Tighten the machine screws on the Paddle Handle
and trim any excess fabric from around the Paddle
Handles. Leave 1/4 inch of fabric around the inside
of the Paddle Handle.
Some vehicles will use the existing holes
and bolts from the hard door strike.
Door Strike
Screws
Strap
Detail of Rear
Curtain
Rear
Window
Side View
Curtain Up
Fabric
Adjusting the Top
Curtain Down
When operating the
vehicle with the rear
window open, one or
more door windows should be open for proper
ventilation.
Rear Curtain
To roll up the Rear Curtain, start at the bottom and
roll it to the inside. Avoid wrinkles in the fabric and
window. Secure it in place with the curtain strap
inside of the top.

Tigertop™ – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0207 51443 pg. 10
Folding the Top Down
Adjusting the Top
Side Curtain
To roll up the Side Curtains, fold the bottom rear
corner of the panel forward and roll the curtain to
the outside. Avoid wrinkles in the fabric and the win-
dows. Secure the curtain in place with the curtain
straps inside the top.
Second
Fold
First
Fold
Unsnap the Rear and Side Curtains and unzip
the Rear Curtain zippers. Fold the Side Cur-
tains along the seam and up over the top. Fold
the Rear Curtain up over the Side Curtains.
Unfasten the hook and loop fasteners around
the Vertical Retainer and the Horizontal Rod.
Release the locking tabs on the bow releases
from the holes in the Front Bow and slide the
Rear Bow down to the Bow Mounts. Insert the
bow release tab into the hole on the Front Bow,
just above the Bow Mount. Remove the Verti-
cal Retainer and the Horizontal Rod from their
mounts and pivot the Front Bow to the rear of
the vehicle until it makes contact with the Rear
Bow.
Unfasten the top from the Windshield Retainer
and lay the top down on the body. Fold the top
in half from front to back and continue folding
until the top is about one foot wide at the rear of
the vehicle. The Buckle Strap assemblies may
be used to secure the top to the bow assembly.
Secure the Vertical Retainers and the Hori-
zontal Rods by snapping each of the Bow Tie
Down Straps to a body stud.