Soft Top Replacemnet Questions - Please Share

[arhdc]

Ok, before I get some not so nice reply's about searching the forum, PLEASE accept the following as true:

1. I have spent a lot of time on different forums and I do know how to search.
2. I have searched to no avail. My questions have not been answered by searching.

I have a 1996 2 door, 4WD tracker from of non-Californian USA origins that currently has a tan colored BestTop soft top with what appears to be a 1998 date code in the windows. This top is therefore somewhere between 10 and 12 years old and in need of replacement. This top has a nylonish texture and does not look like vinyl and has held up well considering. My tan top goes well with my girly red Tracker with Bronze graphics and wheel accents (I'm not crazy about this look) and a tan replacement would be nice but black is just fine if it is cheaper.

Here are my questions:
1. What brand replacement soft top is the best quality/value out there.
2. What fabrics can you recommend for a Trackick top.

I live in rural Pennsylvania (ice and snow) and I do see a fair bit of off road (even my Toyota Tercel sees a lot of off road). I don't mind the soft top or the noise and I really want to spend less than $400 (less than $300 but that seems unrealistic) so the "get a hardtop" answer is likely out due to price.

If any of you can offer recommendations, your experiences and/or a link to a thread that answers these questions I would appreciate it.

[Bex]

Well, most people here recommend Bestop for the replacement. I was able to get a top at really good value from someone on this forum who had put on a hardtop and was looking to get rid of it. The top, I believe, was not factory, as it appears to be more of a canvas type material than the original one that came with the car. That being said, it will probably wear better, as the original top had the tendency to crack, especially when you were putting it down at temps below 65F or so. If you are going for a used top, be aware that there were hardward and slight body changes to the Tracker in 95, so the newer tops attach at the front bow with snaps, while the older ones attach with clips. If you get a used top from 96-98, then you don't need any replacement hardware. The older tops will need the replacement front bow, and will not fit the tailgate of the car without some DIY repair (older tailgate an inch or two shorter than 95+). I believe that Bestop comes in different colors, as well.
Here's a link from here discussing pros/cons:
http://www.suzuki-forums.com/suzuki-...95-98-top.html
And a link for Bestop:
Replacement SOFT TOPS for Suzuki Sidekick & Geo Trackers