I just reinstalled windshield, what angle should it be?

I know its important so the top will fit right. any thoughts would be great....tks.

 

Do you have a photo of the windshield type?

 

its a 71 cj5,,sorry about thatIts the frame, the glass is still in-da-box.

 

army grunt

Rather than looking for a specific angle to set your windshield at. it is better to set the distance from the back of the windshield to the rear edge of the body, then adjust your windshield to this distance. Measure about 20 inches from centerline on each side of windshield and set the distance at 69 1/2 inches. This is for a Kayline top, so these measurements might be a little different from the tops made today, but they should be close.

Fltfndr

 

That sounds easy enough. Tks,

 

do a search on the manufacture of your top, go to that site and download the install instructions.

 

Hi,

When I did my BestTop Supertop - I measured the distance to the rear of the tub. I had to shim mine to get it at the correct distance. To do that, I took the rubber seal out and added an extra piece of rubber underneath the seal that I cut out of a (appx 1/8 or 3/16) rubber mat.

I was happy with the result - the distance was perfect and the clip that were originally loose were nice and tight. Once the top was install the clip ended up loose again because the top pulled the windshield back. The top was really difficult to install - specially the side windows. It was in the 70's degree F when I did the job so I'll know better this summer as to how easy to get it on and off.

The biggest issue is that - with the windshield pulled back a little - the angle of the upper soft door no longer quite match the angle of the windshield. so the soft door are a bit off. This summer, I intend to shim the windshield again so that the measurement is correct with a bit of tension applied on the windshield and I will also insure that the upper door angle (once install) match the windshield angle for best fit.


Hope this help

 

PierreDnepr
I was thinking about using my new top to set it up also. I have issues with a frunt hoop that seames to be to tall making the top really tight an the zipper not linning up right.. you have any problems with this?

 

after getting the specs and exact measurements, I glued an old fanbelt cut in half on top of the windshield gasket. The main problem I had was the alignment of the top front edge of the soft doors.

 

Army Grunt,

"I have issues with a frunt hoop that seames to be to tall making the top really tight an the zipper not linning up right.. you have any problems with this?"

Yes, when I flip the top over the jeep and started attaching the side windows, I found the top extremely thigh and the zipper were very hard to close... to the point that I had to ask a neighbor for help to pull the fabric down enough so I could zip the side and flip the bottom lip of the top onto the side rail. At the time I assume the problem was due to 1) the temperature and 2) the fact that the top was new. It's still too cold to take the top off in Canada (snowing today grr...) I'm hoping that the top stretched enough by now to allow for easy removal and re-installation. That said, I think I read on this forum that someone had to cut the hardware down for the same problem I had with the top.

I also had an issue with the door latch - I inserted a 1/2" strip of hard maple between the striker plate and the L shape bracket so that the door latch properly.

Don't get me wrong, I'm actually happy with my top... It kept me warm and dry the odd days I took the jeep out this winter when the pavement wasn't full of salt, slush or brine, which was big improvement over riding my motorbike with the sidecar.

Pierre

PS> I did follow the instruction posted by noalong above. The windshield measurement was correct when I started but the tension in the top pull the windshield back.

 

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This sure looks not right to me.

 

Hi,

I have the same thing on my jeep...




And just to show you the striker plate "fix" (sorry the door is open)...





And the problem with the windshield angle... as I said the measurement was perfect before the tension in the top pull the windshield back.



Pierre

 

army grunt

It appears to me from your pictures, there are two issues. 1. I think you need to shim the windshield so that it cannot rotate backwards when you snap the top in the rear. Do you have a tension relief device on the rear hoop? That might help. 2. Please don't take offense but why are you trying to put a new top on in the winter? Installation of jeep tops occurs only in the summer months or when the jeep can be parked inside and a temperature of at least 75 degrees can be obtained.

I installed hundreds of Kayline tops in my shop back in the 70's and your distance issue and the proper adjustment of the windshield along with a warm environment were the only issues we faced.

What brand of top do you have, Is it the correct model? Do you have a tailgate on the jeep and a provision for one on the top?

Fltfndr

 

[/URL][/IMG]Ihave had the top on already, I had a few issues that I was trying to work out, an the fellow from up north has the same issues. Also my latches missed like his. an yes its a best top for my year 71 cj5..any advice is greatly apreaced..Its in a heated shop...I am in ga. hell it was 81 here yesterday

 

i use a sliver of an oak 2x4 off of the 1 1/2 side cut about 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch on the taper placed along the rear of the cowl to get the right measurement on the top, added a strip of closed cell foam weatherstrip along the front edge of the cowl to help with water...

 

When I did my top last fall, I did have a 1 1/2 inch wide aluminium by 1/8 thick piece ready for a shim - I tried it the distance was too long - so I opted out and use the rubber instead which gave me the correct distance. BestTop should really specify on the instruction sheet that on an early CJ the distance should be measured with some tension pulling back on the windshield. Once its summer in Canada - I will redo my shim, taking into account the anticipated tension from the top and the angle of the windshield vs the upper door.

I like the color of your top Army grunt!

 

Going to revive this thread.

Install/fitting soft top on my CJ5. Jeep is in my garage and the temp in the garage is about 90 degrees. Shimmed the windshield with some washers ( thats all I had at the time) to get the correct distance. The passenger door is fitting like the one shown in Post # 13.

If I shimmed with a strip of metal, would this help?

Should I live with what I got and as the top ages things will get better?

I have a extra windshield, should I take the hinges out, cut and weld them to change the angle of the windshield?