Focker's '71 CJ5 Drivable Build

What's the condition of the body and paint? If it's in need of repair or paint, plug them with welds, skim with puddy and paint.

 

Getting back to the hard top.

What do you guys say to replacing the missing glass with Plexi glass? I could avoid the glass shop(s) and do it myself.

 

Good point Ryan, I considered the fading, but not the scratching. I've used Nu Finish for repairing scratches on plastic motorcycle tanks & pieces (Dual Sport days).

 

In the meantime I thought I would figure out the glass size needed. I don't want to remove the glass from the other piece in fear of breaking it. After installing the gasket in the window opening, I cut a cardboard strip down until it fit just right from top to bottom (16-7/16"). The measurement of the glass is 3/8" smaller in perimeter than the opening.

I traced the opening onto the cardboard. Then was going to draw another line 3/8" inside of the outer line...But...


This is stupid, but cool. I took a AAA battery and used the nipple of it to run along the window frame. The nipple to the pencil tip was 3/8"...It was too easy (AA = 1/2" BTW).


Here's another cheesy measuring device I threw together to determine the thickness of the glass.


3/16" thick...Now I can have a piece of glass cut or try the Plexi idea.

 

Yeah...That too.

 

I went with the Lexan...Thanks 1957Willys. It's really strong and states it won't yellow...We'll see.

A local shop that sells nothing but plastic sold me a piece for $26.


I used a jig saw. I'm glad I went this route vs glass because I had to trim it down after the initial cut.


The Trim Lok gasket is pretty cool. This was my first time using that style. I replaced the front split windows on my VW bus using the cord method.

Hard to tell there's anything there. I hope I can get the rest of the glass looking this good.

 

It came with the top when I got it. You can get it by the foot online.

 

Dug the Jeep out and assembled the top. I bought "C" clamps from HF, but I don't trust that type of mounting. I ended up drilling into the Jeep and bolting it down.

It was a pain...So I'll probably just paint it while it's mounted on the Jeep.


I made a strap mount to avoid drilling any new holes in the windshield frame.

 

I got the glass and rubber molding super clean...Now getting ready for rattle can black.

I'd be further along if I didn't stop to do the cross word puzzle on the right rear window.