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Old soft top worth salvaging?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by ODBuffalo, Oct 21, 2014.

  1. Oct 21, 2014
    ODBuffalo

    ODBuffalo Member

    Fort Wayne, IN
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2014
    Messages:
    111
    As I am looking for a early 5, Im wondering if its worth trying to refurbish a original soft top?

    Maybe have the seams restitched and new plastic windows sewn in. Or will they be stretched and not worth the cost. Better to buy a new one?

    Thanks
     
    ODBuffalo, Oct 21, 2014
    #1
  2. Oct 21, 2014
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Might be worth saving. New tops are darned expensive.

    If you have an upholstery shop near you that works on boat canopies, ask them what it would cost. Look at the zippers. See if it will clean up.
     
    timgr, Oct 21, 2014
    #2
  3. Oct 21, 2014
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,128
    It depends on the material- vinyl shrinks over time & becomes a real pain to make fit. Eventually the volatiles evaporate out of it & it cracks/rips. The question is how long until your material reaches that point?

    We made a new top using the original as a pattern & that came out pretty well. X2 on Tim's suggestion for someplace that does boat tops.

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Oct 21, 2014
    #3
  4. Oct 21, 2014
    Jeff55cj5

    Jeff55cj5 Member

    Joliet, IL
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2010
    Messages:
    76
    When I bought mine it came with a Bestop Tiger top.

    I had no idea the top is like $900 to $1000 to buy a new one.

    Thankfully, mine is in pretty good shape. I will probably never use the top though, this is strictly a fair weather project.

    I would probably try to save any top that seemed like it could be, depending on how much money you had to put in it.

    When I see what how inexpensive a pretty nice early CJ5 sells for, it bites to have to spend $1000 on a top. I can think of much better Jeep things to spend that money on.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2014
    Jeff55cj5, Oct 21, 2014
    #4
  5. Oct 21, 2014
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    698
    Would it be possible to have a upholstery shop copy it and make it out of canvas? I was thinking about that the other day a civilian canvas top sounds pretty cool instead of a vinyl top.
     
    1957Willys, Oct 21, 2014
    #5
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