Two colors, two personalities
Our full soft tops come in just two colors: tan and black. That's on purpose. These are the two colors that look right on a vintage Land Cruiser, and between them they cover almost every build, from a concours-style restoration to a daily-driven trail rig.
- Tan is the closest thing to Toyota's original canvas. It gives the truck a warm, vintage, unmistakably 1970s look.
- Black is cleaner and more contemporary. It sharpens the silhouette, goes with nearly any paint and forgives dust.
Both colors are available for the short wheelbase top (FJ40, BJ40, BJ41, BJ42) and for the 70 Series top (BJ73, BJ74, HZJ73, KZJ73 and more). So the question is the same whatever Land Cruiser you drive.
A tan FJ40 soft top: the factory spirit
If you're restoring an FJ40 to look the way it did when it left the dealer, tan almost picks itself. It's the color that best recalls the canvas tops you see in period photos of 40 Series trucks. For the backstory, read our FJ40 history.
One important detail: our tan top is made of UV-treated vinyl, not cotton canvas. It keeps the original look and shade, with the advantages of a modern material: waterproof, tough and easy to clean.
Why owners choose tan:
- the most authentic look, a favorite with purists and at shows and meets;
- a light shade that generally stays cooler in the sun than a dark one;
- a bright, cheerful look on light paint colors.
What to keep in mind:
- trail dust, mud and water spots show more;
- it needs a rinse a little more often to stay sharp.
A black soft top: clean, modern, practical
A black top appeals to owners who drive their Land Cruiser every week, take it camping or wheel it hard. It gives the truck a more rugged, tool-like attitude and blends with almost any style.
Why owners choose black:
- it works with practically any paint color;
- it hides dirt and trail dust better;
- it gives the truck a more modern, aggressive stance.
What to keep in mind:
- like any dark color, it can run hotter in direct sun, on the roof and in the cabin;
- it's a little less period-correct for a strict factory restoration.
Matching the top to your paint
Paint color is often what settles it. A few pointers, not hard rules:
| Paint color | Tan top | Black top |
|---|---|---|
| White, cream | Classy, factory look | Crisp contrast, more modern |
| Light green, sage | Classic, very harmonious | Subtler, bolder |
| Sky blue | Bright vintage look | Clean, contrasted |
| Bold colors (red, orange, yellow) | Warm, retro feel | Makes the paint pop |
| Dark colors | Strong contrast | Tone on tone, very clean |
| Project truck, paint not chosen yet | Safe bet for a stock look | Safe bet for versatility |
Look at the details too: seat color, wheels, bumpers and any hard top you put back on in winter. A tan top pairs well with a light interior; black works best with a dark one.
Heat, dirt and aging: how you use the truck matters
If your FJ40 lives outside in the sun, a light color generally stays cooler. But whatever the color, UV is what really wears a top out. Our vinyl is UV-treated, which slows that aging down; a vinyl-specific UV protectant and a carport or garage whenever possible do the rest.
If you spend a lot of time on dirt roads, black stays presentable longer between washes. Tan just needs a more regular rinse, nothing difficult: water, mild soap and a soft brush. The full routine is in our FJ40 soft top care and cleaning guide.
If the truck mostly comes out for weekend drives and cars and coffee, tan is hard to beat for charm.
What about the windows?
Window choice is separate from the top color. The soft windows come clear or lightly tinted:
- clear for the best visibility when parking and at night;
- lightly tinted for a bit more comfort if you drive a lot under strong sun.
With a black top, lightly tinted windows give a very uniform look. With tan, clear windows stay truest to the original.
Tan or black on a 70 Series
On a BJ73, HZJ73 or KZJ73, the question plays out a little differently. Many of these trucks were imported for overlanding and long trips, and plenty of owners switch between a hard top and a soft top.
- Tan looks great on a light-colored 70 Series and recalls the working Land Cruisers of the era.
- Black is the go-anywhere option: discreet and practical on a truck that eats dirt roads.
Everything about that top is in our Land Cruiser 70 Series soft top article and on the 70 Series soft top page.
Common mistakes when choosing a color
A few mistakes come up again and again:
- Trusting a single photo on a screen. Screens and lighting change colors: a tan can look lighter or darker than it really is. Look at several photos taken in different light.
- Picking the top before the paint. If your FJ40 is mid-restoration, settle the paint first. The top comes after and completes the look.
- Forgetting the hard top. If you swap between hard top and soft top with the seasons, picture the truck both ways.
- Ignoring how you really use the truck. A tan top on a rig that hits the trail every weekend will need more washing. Not a problem, just something to know.
Changed your mind when it arrives? You have 14 days to change your mind, as long as the top hasn't been installed; return shipping is on you. So take your time choosing before you order, and write to us if you have any doubt.
Our advice in a nutshell
- Faithful restoration, weekend drives, shows: tan top, clear windows.
- Daily driver, trails, overlanding: black top, clear or lightly tinted windows.
- Light paint: both work, tan for the factory look, black for contrast.
- Dark paint: black for a clean tone-on-tone look, tan for strong contrast.
- Still can't decide: send us a side photo of your truck through our contact page.
Once you've picked a color, you still need the right rear closure and sound bows. Our drop tailgate vs barn doors guide helps with the first, and the FJ40 soft top buying guide covers the rest. Our FJ40 / BJ40 / BJ42 full soft top, in tan or black, ships without bows, with free tracked shipping in 1 to 4 weeks.
FAQ
Which soft top color is closest to original on an FJ40?
Tan. It's the closest match to Toyota's original canvas. Our tan top is made of UV-treated vinyl, so it keeps the period look with a tougher, waterproof material.
Does a black soft top get hotter than a tan one?
In direct sun, a dark color generally runs hotter than a light one. If your truck often sits outside in the sun, tan may be more comfortable. Either way, UV exposure is the main cause of aging.
Which color hides dirt better?
Black hides trail dust and water spots better. Tan needs a rinse a little more often to stay sharp, using just water, mild soap and a soft brush.
Are both colors available for the 70 Series?
Yes. Our 70 Series soft top (BJ70, BJ73, BJ74, HZJ73, KZJ73 and more) comes in tan or black, just like the FJ40 / BJ40 / BJ42 short wheelbase top.
Not sure which top fits your truck? Send us a photo of your Land Cruiser and we'll get back to you quickly.
