Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi guys

I just bought a 93 well body lux and am looking at having a canvas canopy made for it. Thing is, i want it to look as neat as possible ie no big lugs riveted on and elastic bands hanging out.

http://4wdandsportutility.com/tech/0307 ... is01_z.jpg

I really like the look of this one but i have a few mates with canvas and they reckon it shrinks heaps so press studs or the like just wouldn't work.

Anyone have any suggestions? Is there a shrink-proof canvas available or other material that's still as tough?

Pipe in if you have advice or photos of yours please.

Thanks,
Brad.

Yes, canvas does shrink quite a bit...but there is a very easy way to get around this.

PRE-SHRINK it before the canopy is made!!! Just lay the canvas out (on clean, dry concrete is the best) overnight. The colder night the better. This will make the canvas shrink. Canvas will only shrink so far.

When I do canvas canopies such as what you are looking for, thats what I do. That way you can garauntee a neat, tight fit. And it will fit 6 months down the track.

Thanks for that info. I spoke to one local guy he did mention something like soaking the canvas to pre-shrink it but couldn't guarantee it still wouldn't move around.

One other question also - Are press studs the way to go or is there another similar method to achieve this look? I imagine the studs rusting and so on over time.

pulux wrote:One other question also - Are press studs the way to go or is there another similar method to achieve this look? I imagine the studs rusting and so on over time.

Stainless Steel .

There is a myriad of clips all working in various ways.

There could be other ways to affix it, your best bet would be to check out a local auto trimmer for that info (not really up to date in that field).

But I have a tonneau on my dual cab hilux, this is affixed with press studs and I havent had a problem with it. The tonneau has been fitted for about 3 years now.

To add a little bit more BLING to the canopy, get them to make it like this (see pic). The male part of the press stud is pop riveted to the side of the tray (on the lip section)...and the female is fitted to the inside the hem on the canopy.

That way you cant see the press stud from the outside.

With the canvas shrinking factor...the longer you leave it out...the more it will shrink...but it will only shrink so far! And canvas only shrinks one way...and that is up the roll...not across.

so if they cut the material in accordance to that, that again will minimize any dramas with shrinkage. Wetting the canvas only helps in regards to a final water proofing...it will make the stitching swell and seal the stitch holes.

hope the pic makes sence.

Go that material that transport trucks use up the sides. It doesn't shrink or stretch. Cost me about $800 to get it made for my dual cab. Supplied my own frame though.

Willy Hilux wrote:Go that material that transport trucks use up the sides. It doesn't shrink or stretch. Cost me about $800 to get it made for my dual cab. Supplied my own frame though.

I hope you are refering to a material called "complas"...because if you paid $800 for a pvc canopy (and it wasnt complas...which is a MAJOR overkill anyways) you got ripped...I would be suprised if you butt aint still bleeding!

Pulux,
Did you ever come up with an end result??

Ive been looking for the same thing, hate those side plastic/rope stick out thingos, all the body trimmers say im wasting my time with tub-lip mounted tonneau covers.

What did u end up with or did u give up?

Hi there,

I ended up going with elastic and lugs. I figured having to stick fingers underneath to snap them undone would be a pita, especially on frosty mornings.. Plus you'd only have 30mm cover or so. Glad I did get elastic ties tho because even tho the guy said he "pre-shrunk" it, it still tightened up a bit. I got the canvas to come down to the bottom of where the well body dips in (this is on a 93) and it looks pretty neat. Overall I'm quite happy with it. It did cost $800 for 6 zips and 2 windows but.

If anyone wants pics i can email or bite the bullet and put them up on the web.

Id love some pics mate, as close to the tub would be good, to get an idea, and pics of the canopy would be excellent also.

Thanks.

Hope these help