Rusty Windshield Frame

Hello,

I just pried the Meyers hard top off my CJ-5 that had been on there since Nixon was president. The top and the jeep are in remarkably rust-free condition, but the top seems to have had an issue with condensation accumulating on the joint between the roof and the side panels, and between the roof and the windshield frame. The rust is super scary looking but does not seem to go through. Should I try grinding it down and saving it?

Also, I need the standoffs and latch for the windshield frame, if anyone has any of those lying around I'd like to get them used...

Thanks!!

Ian

Pics

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

That picture is so close I cant really tell. Hardtops in good shape don't grow on trees, and they don't make them anymore. Is that the only damage?

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

The hardtop is in unbelievably good shape, and it's a deluxe with the headliner, dome lamp and extra window. This is the only real rust on the Jeep itself. I think I'll try to grind it down. It won't show when the top is on anyway.

I added some more pics of the top to the link above. The little drip rail that is still half attached to the top... was that supposed to be screwed to the windshield frame? The only thing that appeared to be holding it on was sealant.

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

It's not really a drip rail. Instead, it's part of the windshield; a channel that the soft top fabric slides into that anchors the fabric top at the windshield. The hard top does not use it, except as a guide to position where the edge of the top lid should be. I suspect that it rusted out because the installer glued the hard top to the channel with caulk. You only need some strip caulk between the windshield and the top, as waterproofing.

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

I think the channel was welded to the frame. An RV center or awning shop can supply a screw-on replacement. It may be a round profile, but it will work

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

looking at picture of frame I would just replace it . c-channel was welded to windshield frame . as said the tops are getting harder to find with all the pieces

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

The channel for the softtop was welded from the factory, just spot welds.

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

OK. I just ordered a replacement windshield frame. Probably doesn't come with that soft top channel but I dont guess I need it since I'll be putting the hard top back on during the rainy season.

Thanks!

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

If you ordered a repro windshield frame, you'll probably find the fit & quality to be substandard compared to a factory windshield.

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

Yes, I think you'll be happier with the original windshield frame. Fix it up and use it.

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

Ugh. I hope the repros are not that bad...

 

Channel is handy for a bikini top in the summer.

 

If it's not rusted through I wouldn't grind it - wire brush the loose stuff off and paint it with POR 15 and it'll out last the rest of the jeep.

 

It did not look that bad to me in the pic. I would clean it up, paint it with a rust killer as suggested above, then color it to your preference and worry about the next thing

 

Re: Rusty Windshield Fram

I have a repro windshield frame on my Jeep. It is made of thinner gauge metal than a stock one, and the opening
for the glass is off just enough that the windshield guys had a hell of a time installing the windshield.
After fighting with it for several hours, their mobile installer gave up. I took the frame off the Jeep, and took
it to their shop, where they were able to install it on their workbench. IIRC they actually trimmed the glass a little bit to get it to fit.

 

Argh. Just so everyone knows, the repro windshield frames are windshield frames in the same way that this is an airplane.


.

Holes which are supposed to have threaded nutplates behind them are just holes. The shape of the glass is completely different, the place where you would attach standoffs and the hood catch are now glass. There is no way I can use this with my Meyers hard top, since the threaded holes are not threaded, and I can't imagine how to get a nut inside this tinfoil box.

I don't have the skills, materials, or tools to rebuild mine, or know anyone who does, so does anyone on this list have a legitimate 1969 windshield frame that is in reasonable condition that they would part with?

- Ian

 

The shape of the windshield glass changed in 68 or 69. The early CJ's have a windshield
with top mount wipers and the glass is straight across the top.Later ones have bottom mount wipers,
and a glass that's curved across the top. Somewhere in the transition they made some with bottom mount wipers and straight top glass. Sounds like you were expecting an early type frame, and got the later style.
Of course that in no way excuses some of the other defects you described.
Here's a pic of an all original 69