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Soft Half Top

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jim warren, Feb 26, 2015.

  1. Feb 26, 2015
    jim warren

    jim warren Member

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    I recently saw a picture of a cj5 with a half soft top with side doors. I remember seeing these tops many years ago. I searched the net and could not locate any soft half top other than the bikini type. Is anyone aware if there is any like this that is commercially available?
     
  2. Feb 26, 2015
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
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    There are a couple small companies that still make canvas half tops.
    Be warned they can be very expensive. I'm not well versed in them.

    Beachwood canvas comes to mind. Forum member Garage Gnome, along with others I believe have used another company who's name I cannot remember.
     
  3. Feb 26, 2015
    1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    Boise, Idaho
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    I have two Beachwood Canvas tops/enclosures..one CJ-5 and one CJ-3a....excellent quality but not inexpensive..

    New Life Canvas also makes tops/enclosures.

    The doors in this picture are the old originals...

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Feb 26, 2015
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
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    New life canvas, that was the company.
     
  5. Feb 26, 2015
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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    I have an original canvas half top for my 59 cj5. It's showing it's age but still functions well and I think looks pretty cool.
     
  6. Feb 26, 2015
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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    I half the complete half top including doors all framework and the rear wall. But I rarely use the doors.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Feb 27, 2015
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
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    I know this is off topic but are there any good sources for M38A1 door frames?
     
  8. Feb 27, 2015
    jim warren

    jim warren Member

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    Thats what I am looking for. When i was a kid, the neighbor had one on his 2A plow rig.
     
  9. Feb 28, 2015
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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  10. Feb 28, 2015
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
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  11. Feb 28, 2015
    teach

    teach New Member

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    Love that look WorkInProgress! Unfortunately, it doesn't look like either Beachwood, or New Life Canvas makes a 1/2 top for a cj5 or m38a1. I even emailed them to ask them if they wood make one for my m38a1 (can't remember which one, its been a while) and they never even responded to my email. Luckily I found a metal 1/2 top that needed some work, and fit that to my 38a1, but I actually like the look of the canvas one better on yours WorkInProgress.
     
  12. Feb 28, 2015
    1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    Boise, Idaho
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    New Life canvas also has door frames....then you need to buy the latches, striker plate and escutcheon separately... the thing is, they need the frames to sew on the skins, so if you buy the frames in one place you just need to ship them to the other to have the skins sewn on...

    Do you have a top frame? They are extra of course..

    for what it's worth the Beachwood door frames come with all the parts ready to install, and they are powder coated....you still need the skins though..

    I searched and searched for an original half or full top....no luck, yet..!
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2015
  13. Feb 28, 2015
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
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    I have a M38A1 top from Weebee webbing I'm going to buy the side curtains and door skins for a M38A1 from them. The M38A1 door skins just clip on I have just been hunting for a set of door frames.
     
  14. Feb 28, 2015
    jim warren

    jim warren Member

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    boy I better look from the set of door frames I threw in the shed. Dont know what brand they are,however
     
  15. Feb 28, 2015
    1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    Boise, Idaho
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    What year is your CJ-5? My experience is only with the 1955....There may be other/different suppliers for later model -5's..

    If you search Beachwood look for an "enclosure" instead of a top....they have the 1/2 listed on their web site...
     
  16. Feb 28, 2015
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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    Like he said. I was sure I saw half top for sale on their site.
     
  17. Feb 28, 2015
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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    There is a guy on craigslist in spokane Washington that's selling soft top door frames for $30 pair but he's not sure what old jeep they are for. If someone nearby wants them
     
  18. Mar 1, 2015
    teach

    teach New Member

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    I stand corrected! Indeed, Beachwood does list them if you search "enclosure". Be aware the rear curtain and doors are extras. It seems they have both a half top and a full top that converts to half top.[​IMG][​IMG]
     
  19. Mar 1, 2015
    dauntless4me

    dauntless4me New Member

    Sandpoint, Idaho
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    Those doors on Craigslist are for 2a, 3a, 3b. Won't fit the cj5.
     
  20. Mar 2, 2015
    jim warren

    jim warren Member

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    I put a post on the WTB section of the forum. As I said there two college tuition's will preclude me from buying the Beechwood setup. A bit pricey right now. Thinking out loud here, I wonder if I could pickup a good used Best Top and have an upholstery guy cut it down and sew in a back. Just thinking. It will be likely a lot cheaper. If anyone has or knows of a used half top, ring me up.
     
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