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Summer Top For My Cj6

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by jwmckenzie, Jul 27, 2021.

  1. Jul 27, 2021
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    I have been doing some research on summer tops for my CJ6. I would buy a Tiger Top if it were available in white (me and many others). So I am thinking I will procure a set of bows and have a top made.

    Here is my Jeep, so a white top to match my doors would be too cool....

    [​IMG]

    In several threads here I have settled on a couple of options. I am bringing forward some pics from previous threads by members here.

    First up is a set of bows from a Tiger top on 'ojgrsoi' CJ6. I believe he said his wife made the cover.

    [​IMG]

    Big question is: Are the bows for a CJ6 the same as a CJ5?

    I really like the look of a M38A1 top on a CJ5. Here is a pic from '57Willys'

    [​IMG]

    Has any one fitted the M38A1 Bows to a CJ6. I like the way the bows are mounted on the back of the jeep.

    Thoughts?
     
    melvinm likes this.
  2. Jul 27, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I'm sorry but with that paint scheme you're pretty much mandated to this-

    [​IMG]

    Hey- it was good enough for The King :D
     
    Hellion and Beach66Bum like this.
  3. Jul 27, 2021
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    I would love to have a Surry Jeep.

    My first Jeep, '61 CJ5, was a painted purple with pink grill and wheels. It was an original color scheme.

    Tropical Rose with Coral Mist grill and wheels

    Here is a pic of the front.

    [​IMG]

    Wish I could find a better pic. and the jeep. Was sold in Dallas in 1980 to someone around Redbird TX
     
  4. Jul 29, 2021
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
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    I think a good marine place could make a top fairly easily.
     
  5. Jul 29, 2021
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
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    Check with beachwood canvas online

    Beachwood Canvas Store CJ6 summer top didn't see any for the M170 (CJ6) So it doesn't use the M38a1 style supports but check with them about options they have the patterns seems like they should be able to give you what you want
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2021
  6. Jul 29, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I see no reason the bows wouldn't fit. The bow pockets just bolt on in the tub recesses.

    However, the canvas would need to be lengthened, and the unsupported area directly over the front seats would probably sag enough to touch the driver's head unless additional support is provided.

    That said, I really like the military "summer top."
     
  7. Jul 29, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Agreed. We live on dusty gravel roads. The '71 has a SuperTop that's in "Summer Top" mode all summer long. No sides, but the back window is in place. The '69 has a normal Bikini top.

    The '71 with summer top sees a tiny fraction of dust in the passenger compartment compared to the bikini top. I'm considering rigging up some bows and making a summer top for the '69.
     
  8. Jul 29, 2021
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    Yep. Found guys to make the top... Just need to settle on the bows.
     
    Hellion likes this.
  9. Jul 29, 2021
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    That is my major concern. I have been thinking about a vertical front bow, in addition to the M38A1 Bows, in the pockets provided just behind the front seat for that support.
     
  10. Jul 29, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    The military top could accommodate a horizontal bar from bow to windshield, above each door when closed in for the winter. Possibly you could build from that concept.
     
    jwmckenzie likes this.
  11. Aug 3, 2021
    jeepsrbetter

    jeepsrbetter New Member

    Lafayette, CA
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    http://classicjeeptops.com/half-cabs/

    You could check with this place



     
  12. Aug 4, 2021
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    I’ve been looking for a white CJ6 top as well..

    group buy!!!
     
  13. Aug 8, 2021
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    The bows on my CJ6 were indeed Tiger Top. They use the same components as a CJ5 Tiger Top. There is an extension on the rear bow shown below.

    [​IMG]

    The mounting bracket for both CJ5 & 6 tops mount about the same location over the rear tire. The rods from the windshield to the front bow are obviously longer. If a you found CJ5 bows I think you could either lengthen the rear bow with a piece of conduit or make your own rear bow from conduit. The rods along the top of the door area are just steel and could be fabricated with a vise.

    If you don't have the windshield brackets you could make those. Mine were made from eye bolts. Slightly stronger than original. The rods have a 90 on the end that goes through the eye. I drilled a small hole for a retainer pin. Looking at this photo I'm seeing the eyes look big. I am guessing I used what was laying around or what HD had in stock.

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Sep 21, 2021
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    I'll have to keep an eye on this thread. I'm planning on doing a bikini top from Beachwood for mine (they have the template and make one). I just need to get the right bows. I want original ones or as close and I can get. Spending the money on ones from Beachwood is tough to justify knowing what they are. If someone wanted to go in on a set we (several of us) could probably get repops done for less and kick into the original purchaser. Seems like they would be cheap to make if you had a set to work off of.
     
  15. Sep 22, 2021
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    Jon, I just ordered a set of bows from Quadratec they are for a CJ2A and are OMIX product. For $150 bucks I decided to start with that kit and see how it goes. I know I will have to make modifications. Will start a build thread when I get the bows.

    I reached out to Beachwood a month ago about the bows and haven't heard back. At that time he said he had to see if he had any. Tried to call a couple of times no answer.... So Moving on......

    Jon.
     
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