Group Buy on 1st Gen 4Runner Can-Back Soft Tops

Hi, I am new to the 4Runner forums and just picked up a pristine ’87 4Runner SR5 Turbo from TX a week ago. We currently have 80 and 100 series land cruisers, but I wanted the 4Runner because it is light, nimble, and we can take the top off our kids.

After getting the new 4Runner, I started shopping for soft tops. I know Softopper and Killer Toy Tops make a great product, but I’ve always loved the look and quality of Can-Back and wanted to be able to support a roof rack. After researching, it looks like Can-Back is back in business, but our 1st Gen 4Runners are in the 2nd tier of vehicles they are designing. So this morning I called the new owner – Bryan Hibbetts – and started to investigate.

Good News – Bryan said that due to large demand for 2nd tier vehicle tops, they actually hired another designer to start focusing solely on these including our 1st Gen 4Runner which should be ready for initial shipment in June. I then asked Bryan about pricing – ours will be $2,300 for the top including the panel windows. This sounded steep, but Bryan said he would cut the pricing to $2,070 if we can get 10+ buyers via Group Buy.

If we have really strong demand, I’ll see if I can get him to cut a little more – maybe down to $2,000 even where the current Truck tops are priced. Now if this still sounds steep, it does to me too, but I know Can-Back is the best there is for a quality soft top and if I’m going to spend $1K+, I only want to buy the best top the first time. So, I’m putting my commitment and money in and would like to start a Group Buy. PM me if you are interested as well and I'll organize the group buy details with Can-Back for us.

Moderators, if this is not in the right place or I need to Edit the text, please let me know.

Group Buy on 1st Gen 4Runner Can-Back Soft Tops

Pricing: $2,070 (with a possibility I can get it down more)

Buyers Needed: 10+

Timing of initial shipments: June 2017

Organizer: Charles4x4 (me)

Can-Back Soft Top Details: http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/CanBack/CanBack.htm#gsc.tab=0

Pictures Below (former product that will likely be mostly replicated and improved):

 

I've been getting some feedback that Can-Back's pricing is high. So I called Bryan and asked him how this business model is going to work for them. Here was his direct feedback:

Who is your target buyer:
1) If buyers want the most affordable top on the market, they should buy a Softopper.
2) If buyers want the best product on the market, they should buy a Can-Back. Our buyers have pride in their 4Runner and only want the best products even if our business model excludes the value based buyer portion of the soft top market.

Why is it the best and how do you justify the price:
1) Original tops sold well at $1,200 a top. With inflation at 3% per year, that is $1,600 today. Instead of cutting value from our original tops, we found ways to make them even better and added more cost into them.
2) They used Vortex Threads (which are 3x the quality & price of regular threads at $60-100 per spool)
3) They use high grade Stainless Steel frames
4) They use Sunbrella Sea Mark fabric ($30/yard)
5) They use Strata Glass Vinyl for the 3 Side and Rear Windows (from high end yachts)


(I'm not an expert on soft top materials or design, so maybe others can explain #2-5 above further)

They tested the old tops and found that seams would begin to fail at 10 yrs, so the upgrades above should increase the life of the top to 20 or 25+ yrs, increase durability, and be the best top period that looks great 10 or 20 yrs down the line.

He was very candid - if your fellow members want an affordable top they should buy a Softopper. If they want the best, the will spend more and buy a Can-Back. He said they could have produced a $800 or $1,200 top, but it wouldn't have been up to Can-Back standards.

I'm not pushing a Can-Back - this is objective feedback that I'm simply passing along. I've got a pristine 4Runner that I plan to invest a lot in and I want the best product, so I'm willing to spend $2K to get a Can-Back that I only have to buy once.

I still think if we get enough members involved, I can get the price down more. Keep the feedback coming (positive or negative) and I hope the helps.

 

2/10 committed buyers confirmed.

 

4/10 committed (1 contingent on sub $2k pricing)

 

Update: I spoke with Bryan at Can-Back last week and gave him an update on our commitments. I also asked when product pictures and additional details would be available and he said he is targeting a product detail release (including pictures) in Late May.

Stay tuned.

 

I would probably buy one too...If I could get it before the end of August... I would like to see some pics of a new one completed and installed. I zero'd in on the can back based on looks and I'm extremely detail oriented.