Original Top Bow Storage

I may have asked this question years ago, but does anyone know how the original top bows were stored on the body when the canvas is off? I never have been able to find any pictures of cj5 bows. I have found cj3b photos which are similiar, but not the same. Any pictures or info would be great.

 

Back in the day, the tops were "convertable" where the top just folded back across the tailgate area, and a boot kept it neat and tidy. I remember lowering the top almost every morning, and closing it back up at night, or if rain threatened. The canvas stayed on the top frame.

If you remove your top canvas, some manufacturers had pull-pins for the bows on the pivot bracket where you simply detached the bows. Otherwise, unscrew the 1/4-20 bolts where the bows pivot, leaving the pivot bracket mounted on top of the body rail.
My comments apply to a mid-60s CJ5. Earlier, later, and military Jeeps used different top configurations, so it all depends on what you have.
-Donny

 

Probly should have mentioned that it is a 1960. Two bows, each three pieces of basically steel pipe. They fit into round brackets on the body when up. Thin rods run between windshield and bows. And a piece of wood running from the front bow to the windshield in the middle.

 

Isn't one option to remove the doors and roll up the side curtains? I ran like that many times with my CJ-5. Even though the top is "convertible," I would not fold it down. Instead I would remove it completely.

 

And getting the top canvas into that channel across the top of the windshield is a pain in the butt to do. Between fighting the standoff brackets and the hood up latch I’ve found it not any easy process and certainly not a quick "oh the rain is coming, let’s pull the top up" kind of thing. Been there tried that, got soaked. At least with the BestTop ones. Every time I do it, I think that the old MB with the little twist in the grommets would have been better. But then I've never live with that arrangement either.

 

And basically, that is what I did. I really like the bikini top (which avoids the damn support right at my left elbow) during summer but want doors, sides and back during winter and rain. Bought both, but it’s such a pain to change, I’ve just stayed with the regular and strip off doors and sides. But I miss the windshield down on trails. That channel is such a pain that I seldom do it now.

 

Just putting this back out there....1960 cj5 with original top bows and original style canvas....anyone know or have pictures of how these pieces are stored on the Jeep when not in use? Some old videos of jeeps on YouTube of the rubicon trail and etc look like the roof parts could be under the camping gear somewhere, there must be a somewhat “proper” way to mount them on the body. Cj2’s had bow pockets on the outside of the body...can’t see that the cj5 designers didn’t have a way.

 

Depends on the top design. Post a pic. Some can be left on the Jeep and hinged back to rest behind the back seat. That's what's described above. There were also 'Conestoga style' tops that could only be removed and stored off the Jeep. Typically those used the factory bow pockets.

 

Conestoga it is. I will figure something out.

 

Mine 71 did not come with a factory installed top but a dealer installed one ,not sure you could even get a factory installed top. Any how here is how mine was stored, behind the rear seat and in front of the spare tire. My pack is setting on the doors.
Mike

 

said above "I think that the old MB with the little twist in the grommets"

Actually it was CJ2A which had the little twist lock "curtain fasteners". The MB had what was called "capstan" buttons without any twist locks. I prefer the twist lock CJ2A fasteners and had the top for my MB clone made with the oval grommets for those.

I too have been curious about the top bows for the original CJ5 top. I have never seen one where I could look at it.

My CJ5 came to me with a very dirty old Bestop "Supertop", which is still usable but fairly ugly. I am considering having a canvas top made with removable or roll up side curtains, or may just use a military style "Summer top", keeping the Supertop for winter. Either way I have to come up with the bows.

 

M38A1 bows do stow nicely flat on the tub, with brackets for that purpose. Works well except they extend into the exact spot where the drivers funny-bone will make a direct hit on them. Not so funny.

Regarding the top channel on the w/s, my technique is to first lay the top upside down on the hood. Feed the welt into the channel then flip the canvas backwards over the w/s.