Softopper Chevy Blazer Gen1 User manual

1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page 1
1st. Generation K5 Blazer (1969 to 1972)
Tools needed:
# 30 drill bit.
Tape measure
Pencil
Drill
Wrenches
Screwdrivers
Contents:
2 - Bedrails (2 pieces each)
2 - Folding frame uprights
1 –Header Bar
3 - Cross-bows. (color-coded to mate up with uprights) 2 are crowned and 1 (rear) is straight
2 sets - front door surround components (color-coded)
6 - Screw in snap studs, Only 5 are used
72" sticky back weather bulb seal
2- Angled windshield header brackets with mounting bolts, wing-bolts, washers and wing-nuts
2 - Black plastic parts and screws for rear window panel crossbar
1 - 53" long 7/8" crossbar
2 - 12" long 3/4" bars
2 - adjustable webbing straps to tension center crossbar
3 - pieces of velcro
1- Softopper canopy
1 - Bottle of seam sealer

1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page 2
Step 1
Connect front and rear portions of bedrails (square tubes). Remove the white protective tape from
the weather stripping. Install on vehicle using supplied 2" bolts through the pre-drilled holes.
Note: A "Drivers side front" sticker is applied to indicate the proper placement. Attach the black
plastic parts to the predrilled holes at the rear inside face of each of the bedrails. These may be
adjusted later.
Note: There are 2 holes in the front part of the bedrail approximately 1/2" apart. Some model
years will use the front hole and some will use the rear.
Step 2
Attach webbing straps to the rear cross bar (the bar with snaps). Slide the smaller closed loop
ends over the rear bar. Best placement when the canopy is installed is between 2nd and 3rd snap
on each side. The open/adjustable end will attach to the forward bar of the folding frame once
assembled.
Assemble the folding frame arms and the 2 rear crossbars using color codes to assure the push
buttons lock in place. The one with snaps is the rear bar (see picture).
Step 3
Attach the completed rear frame assembly to the pivot points on the bedrails. Remove the circlips
and compress the frame a little to fit the pivot pins into the holes at the bottom of the folding
frame. Re-install circlips. Lay the frame rearward and loosely attach the 3/4" webbing strap hooks
to the black plastic parts that were installed on the ends of the bedrails.

1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page 3
Step 4
Install the 2 ‘L-shaped’brackets to the
windshield header as shown, using the
supplied bolts.
Join the horizontal components of the
door surrounds and the forward crossbar.
Insert the shorter vertical bars into the
ends of the front bow using color codes.
Attach the adjustable bar (with the slight
bend forward) and the sliding/adjustable
portion to the rear. Wing-bolts, washers
and wing-nuts are used to connect the
bars to windshield header. Attach the
lower vertical bars to the deck hinges on
the front of the bedrails (see picture).
Step 5 READ THIS TWICE before proceeding with the
installation of the windshield header bar.
NOTE: Measure as many times as it takes from side to side to
find the dead center of the windshield header on your vehicle.
Starting with the center hole on your header bar, drill the self-
drilling snapstud through the header bar and into the vehicle
header. Be careful not to strip metal in vehicle header. Note:
the leading edge of the header bar in the center should be 1/8”
from the rubber windshield seal (as shown in photo at right).
Install the next two (closest to center) snapstuds in the same
manner maintaining the same 1/8” distance from the rubber
windshield seal. Now install the two outer-most snapstuds. A
slight bit of force and bending may be required to get the last
two studs into the proper location.

1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page 4
Step 6
Clean the uppermost flat portion of the windshield from dirt and debris with an appropriate
cleaner and install the weather bulb seal, as shown in picture on page 3. We have supplied a 72-
inch piece but less will be used.
Step 7
Unfold the canopy and place it on the tailgate in a way where you can attach the rear bar to the
snap flap on the upper rear portion of the canopy. Remember to place the webbing straps
between the second and third snaps on each end. Pull the canopy up and over the 1st and 2nd
bows and attach the front canopy snaps to the header snaps. Attach the snaps to the sides starting
at the front and moving rearward. New canopies can be quite tight, especially in colder weather.
Pull down on the rear portion of the frame to help with the rear snaps if necessary.
Now attach the velcro wraps to their respective bars around the door surround.
Step 8
Check diagram and canopy front corner snaps and install the last two snap studs on each end of
the header. If necessary pull the corners forward and outward slightly and mark location under the
snaps with a pencil. They should be very similar to the diagram locations.
Please call us at 1-800-810-7227 if you have any questions.
Or email us at [e-mail]
www.softopper.com

1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page 5
Warranty
We warrant our 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler, Blazer and Jimmy Softoppers 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, Jeep Wrangler, Blazer and Jimmy side curtain windows are warranted for 45
days from the date of purchase.
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.
Returns must be pre-approved and have Softoppers issued RGA number attached. Any defective
items must be returned with proof of purchase to Softopper 4843 Pearl St. 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 NOT
BE 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
[phone] or [phone]

1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page 6
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.
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
[phone] or [phone]