Summer Top For My '67 Cj6

After much research, chin pulling, and head scratching I have decided to build a set of Bows for my CJ6 which will support a summer top. As a Guide I am going to use the Full Canvas top bows from the parts book.



I ordered a bow set from Quadratec, they are an MDJuan set, for a '45-'49 CJ2A. Price was right at ~$150 for a leg up on this project.

First up was the front bow. Using the offset uprights and the center section from the rear bow, I came pretty close to what I wanted. The bottom of the bow assembly, were it goes into the tub, measured 59" outside to outside. The top were the door frame mounts was 59 1/2.





It was an easy adjustment I simply took 1/4 inch out of each end of the v-groove in the center section.



I then fabricated the bracket that the wooden slats, front and back, mount to.



Welded it up and and now I have a Front bow.





Need to get some footman loops and the rear bow pockets for the next steps.

 

Reminds me of this:
Make Your Own Canvas Top

 

following this one for sure.

 

I have to add the rear bow pockets to my tub. Classified WTB add:

WTB - Rear Top Bow Pockets | ECJ5 (earlycj5.com)

Donny (@Keys5a ) pointed out the CJ5 pockets are different from the others. I just went out and noticed the front bows were not bottoming out on the front pocket stops. Anyone has a CJ3 or CJ2. I would be a great help if I could get a measurement from the top of the pocket to the stop. Thanks in Advance.

Jon.

 

Last week I attended the AACA Hershey Swap Meet. It is my go to Swap Meet for Model A parts, but I did make a great find on Jeep Bow tops.

On the way down I stopped at Walck's to pick up the rear bow pockets.



I found a bundle of top parts. which included a few pieces I can use for my build, the rods that go from the front windshield to the first bow and a center top bow that I can use for parts to make the rear bow.



Here is the rest of the bundle of parts.... will keep until I am done then they will be available to ECJ folks.

 

Can't wait to see more of this one.

 

so how was attendance . haven't been in years - was still mostly dirt and mud at that time

 

Well attended, It is now all on asphalt no dirt. It takes me 3 full days to walk the meet, I think I heard they sold 9000+ spaces. It is sponsored by the AACA, so mostly old car stuff. There are a few people with Jeep odds and ends but just found one guy with mostly CJ2/3 stuff.

 

Progress on the back bow today.

First I installed the bow pockets. Decided to bolt them on, as that would have been how a top would have been installed on my '67.



I wanted the width of top to be the same as the front so the pockets were attached so the bows measured 59" outside to outside.



Now the center section of the bow. I decided to use the one with the kit I purchased as then ones I picked up Hershey Swap Meet had a different arc. I needed to add 2 1/8 inch to the center section to get the 59" desired. As luck would have it the bracket from the donor bow was just at 2".





A little cutting and some welding I have a rear bow.



Next is to address the height of the of the bows. I had a CJ2 measured and the front bow pockets are 3" deep and the rear are 4" deep. The side arms from the kit bottom out on the top of the tub where the bend is in the upright, so will have to add on a bit. The pockets on my CJ6 are 3 3/4" on front and 4" on the rear. I want the front and back bows the same height off the tub, so will have to adjust the length of the arms or the depths of the pockets. Tomorrow's work.

 

Question for the Crowd. All the straps shown in the pic... seems like I read someplace they are for stowing the doors, and the top when taken off. I can't really see why I would need them. Will put two straps on the back to hold the top down in the rear. Thoughts?

 

Today I did get the bows to the height I wanted. I added 3/4" to the front and the backs needed 2 1/8" additional height. Work on the front windshield is next so I can get the rods from the windshield to the front bow attached. I also have add the track back that holds the front of a top.



I gotta get that scar from the gas runout painted. it looks bad.......

 

Interesting half doors. They look like vintage pieces?

 

They are.... Original Whitco doors. I was lucky to find them....

 

More progress on the Top Bows today. I found the bracket that goes on the windshield. Took a week of thinking where it might be and 20 mins of hunting to find it.



This is a lesson in not throwing away any part you take off your Jeep. I remember taking it off and didn't fill the holes. Here is where it mounts.



So got it installed, made the wooden bows out of some Ash I had laying around and they are good to go. Have to go to the hardware store tomorrow and get the proper hardware.



Next project are the rods. Any thoughts on how the rods are mounted between the front and rear bow?

I thinking about welding some washers to 1/4" rod to hold everything in place.

 

Looks like the rods are merely captured between the front and rear bow in holes made for that purpose. The parts manual photo set forth in Post #10 above (which was initially posted by me a while back) shows just that. The wood pieces should keep the bows from separating and, thus, releasing the rods.

 

Yes, however the holes go completely thru these bows , so I could weld up the holes I don't need as another solution, I am concerned that the rods will move forward or aft without anyway to contain them.

PS thanks for the post of the diagram, it's been a big help.

 

Weld up the unused holes and you will be good to go. Either that or weld a small washer onto each end of each rod stopping at the depth which you want the rod to insert into the bow.

 

This is looking good. I can't wait for you to work through all the issues.

Are you planning to run it with the half doors or make something else?

 

I am building a summer top only, so will run with the half doors. Top will match the doors.

 

Beautiful Jeep. Can't wait to see the finished top.