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Top Support Attachment To Body

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by Wirework, Nov 10, 2016.

  1. Nov 24, 2016
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    Both my 71 and 67 had multiple snap holes in the body from different tops. When I installed a new top on the CJ 6 I had to add a couple more because they just didn't line up. I found this odd because I was replacing a tiger top with another tiger top..

    I would drill the boles when you install the top.
     
  2. Nov 24, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
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    542
    Gotcha. Thanks.
     
  3. Nov 24, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
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    542
    Oldoriginal86 sent me the bracket photos to help me get a clear picture of how his Whitco top tied into his windshield (thanks!) so this is the right place to host them.

    This first photo of the upper left inside windshield shows the door hinge, and the triangular bracket which receives the horizontal upper door jamb, and the flange of the long channeled aluminum extrusion which the upper door edge slips into.

    [​IMG]

    This second photo is focused on the way the horizontal support bracket receives the rod end.

    [​IMG]

    This third photo is focused on the hinge:

    [​IMG]

    I see now how the door hinge layers on top of the flange of the upper door edge channel piece.

    I continue to be impressed how so many of you go out of your way to patiently help a complete stranger with sometimes trivial little questions.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2021
    ojgrsoi likes this.
  4. Nov 25, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
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    I bought my 1969 cj5 without a top and with no top hardware.

    I learned a few days ago that the forward bow gets a dog leg to the outside to align it's outside edge with the outside edge of the body. This week I learned (in theCJ2page) that the 1" ID well (or pocket, or socket) in the top forward tub edge (for supporting the front standard bow), likely has a 3-4 degree lean towards the rear. I'm traveling and unable to check my old tub, but if true, this means I need to adjust the wells we just welded into my MD JUAN body.

    Can anyone tell me the installed height of each the standard bows from the center of the floor to the top of the curve at the center of each installed bow? I understand they are each a little different on the cj2 (water run off?) I'm wondering if they are designed to be just as high above the rear floor as the windshield top is above the front floor.
     
  5. Nov 25, 2016
    Framer Mike P

    Framer Mike P Member

    Hopkinton, NH
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    Jan 4, 2016
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    Are you familiar with Beechwood Canvas Works? They show a bow kit (expensive) on their website - small picture but I do not see an offset in the bow. I would have thought that the bow would fit into the pocket loosely enough that it would be unnecessary to tilt the pocket if indeed the bow is not vertical. Looking forward to seeing how your top turns out!
     
  6. Nov 26, 2016
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,506
    Older Whitco parts diagram.
    May or may not help you.
    Does show the plastic horizontal rod mounting bracket at w/s fame.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Nov 26, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
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    Thanks jpflat2a.
    This is especially helpful coupled with Mark's diagram and oldoriginal's photos. My brackets will not arrive for a few days so I have to wait to check on those, but my handles and "V" tube supports exactly match those in your literature. And my top has zippers, and your literature brackets match oldoriginal's whitco bracket photos, so we've surrounded this thing pretty good...err, pretty well.

    Nice.

    I just had a "duh" moment... That jpflat literature says Group 40... my Jeep parts book is divided into Groups... I never thought to look in my Jeep parts book. Duh, duh, duh... I feel really dumb. Sorry. It just didn' occur to me that this ratty used top i just acquired would be in my Jeep parts book.... but I only recently learned Whitco made them for jeep, or that mine is likely a whitco... But still... duh, duh, duh.

    I just ripped 7 brown and cloudy plastic windows (heat sealed to the vinyl) out of my Whitco top and asked my brother (auto upholstery business) to help me source replacement uv resistant PVC (?) in the right thickness to let me roll the rear or sides up. I thought to make them a bit bigger for better visibility. I have access to an industrial sewing machine so I'll get the right thread, put an appropriate binding on them, and sew them back in. I never sewed before, so this should be a little warm up for the all-hand-made military style top I'm planning. The Whitco I'm repairing is a temporary solution.

    My brother was a bit concerned about my sewing them in vs heat seal because of the possibility of a leak... :) I had to remind him... Leak!?! Hey, Dan, it's a "JEEP"! Too funny.
     
  8. Nov 26, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
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    542
    Hey, Mike;

    I'm not with my original CJ5 this week so I have not confirmed the 3-4 degree rake to the rear of the forward tube socket. I only have the info from "thecj2page" to go by, and they confirmed it over and over for their models, and even re-specified their in-forum support tube design, and build-your-own-top design to accommodate it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2016
  9. Nov 27, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
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    542
    Fresh disappointment... My used top seller called today to report that his expected 1971 cj5 soft top door frame support brackets don't exist. He reports holes in the lower door threshold forward top edge, and in the windshield frame both with b
    rittle plastic bushings which fractured when he tried to remove them.

    I guess I'll be fabbing some door frame rod brackets... :(.

    But all these great references you guys delivered will make it relatively easy...

    Thanks!
     
  10. Nov 28, 2016
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    On my CJ6 one of the rods was fabricated from a piece of reinforcing rod. It will all work and you will enjoy the satisfaction of getting it there.
     
  11. Dec 7, 2016
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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  12. Dec 7, 2016
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    From the factory parts manual (y)
     
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  13. Dec 7, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
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    How do you like the 2x4 running down the middle? Or is that a 2x6? :D
     
  14. Dec 7, 2016
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    It looks more like a 1x3.
     
  15. Dec 7, 2016
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    That is a lot of parts. It's no wonder that top was not popular. Might as well have a hard top. Would take 4 hours to remove it then it would rain.
     
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  16. Dec 8, 2016
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    I would never remove it. I'd just take the side and rear panels off and use it as a duster. Also, with this type of top (if your canvas is seven piece), you can use it as a half cab, which looks great. The only issue is the use of a roll bar. It kind of ruins the look of the half cab.
     
  17. Dec 8, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
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    Yea, for this stule you see, "a LOT of parts," and "a long time to assemble," and "erector set" comments everywhere on line. Still the 7 piece (10? piece, if military style) style/look appeals to me... 'Certainly it is less efficient, but it feels more to me like that era.

    I expect to incorporate some zippers to help the half cab/full cab conversion, larger windows everywhere, and to make the rear wall fit as a half cab or full cab back.
     
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  18. Dec 8, 2016
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    For your build this is the ticket. For the daily driver, top on then off in the afternoon then back on for evening and semi secure when parked on the street , no. I'd get a big tarp if that was the only option. Guessing this is why so many aftermarket top builders came popping out of the woodwork. Jeep is looking good by the way.
     
  19. Dec 8, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
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    :) Thanks! I never dreamed I"d find something so personally rewarding in retirement as rebuilding a Jeep.
     
  20. Dec 9, 2016
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    I found this photo CJ 5 with Original Top.jpg on my computer from a long ago research session:
     
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