Supertop Install Question

Thanks ahead for helping . Just bought a new Supertop for the '63 . Of course Bestop does not have a video
on this one for installation . Intructions to me are not clear on positioning side rails forward , or back .
It seems to me that this would be critical , because door strikers mount to front of rails . All I can get for info
from Bestop is to leave about 1/4 inch clearance between the side rail , and the corner section . Does this position
the side rail "close enough " , or is there an exact position I need to shoot for ? Thanks

 

I just installed one about 5 months ago on my 67. If you would like I can get some pictures tonight when I get home.

 

I would reall appreciate that . Thank You !

 

Here are some pics of mine. I installed a Supertop about a month ago.
I would recommend a 1/4" gap between rails. I have about 1/16" gap and I had problems with the door striker aligning.
In order for my door to latch I had to "adjust" the door hinge brackets. (hammer and block of wood).
All pics are on driver side.









Also, since we are discussing this top, I would like to know what the group has experienced with the vertical side rail.
This is the rail near the door striker that helps hold the side window in place. My issue is how the bottom of the vertical rail just sits in place. No actual
bolt or screw to hold it in place.



This is where the passenger side wants to stay. Without anything to secure it in place it falls back from its intended position.

 

That tab that sticks up behind the striker holds the vertical piece in place. There are actually two tabs. The vertical goes over the one in front and the rear tab fits behind that ridge in the vertical piece. The most annoying thing about the Supertop is that after all these years Bestop still has the angle of the front part of the door wrong in relation to the windshield frame. Their "fix" is to shim the windshield forward to make it fit the angle of the door. I can't do that because I am using the AA windshield latches.

 

Thanks, John! Problem solved on my end.

 

I am not sure what is up with mine I have about a 1" gap between the two rails.
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The side of the top fits great and the B Piller is in proper position to fit the door.
I am thinking all Jeeps and tops are not created equal.

 

When I installed my Supertop I measured carefully (top of windshield to back of tub) according to the instruction and when I installed the top - the tension in the top push back my windshield and I ended up with the angle of the door not fitting the angle of the windshield. This year - I shim my windshield some more and now the door angle match.

I also had issue with the door striker not latching

 

It seems to me that this is not an exact science . It almost seems I have to work from the door hinges back , instead of from the rear corner to forward .
I knew this was the place to go to figure this out

 

This is so true. You cannot be afraid to bend, grind, hammer or do adjustments on a older Jeep. I had to bend the hinges and grind almost 1/4" off of the latch to get the doors to work.

 

:iagree: