Which Top?

With the 70 windshield on my 67 CJ5, which top do I get? One for an early, or one for an intermediate? Also, I don’t have ANY top hardware. Is that all included in a top purchase? Lastly, what top company?

 

I don't think the 70 windshield has any effect on which top. I would be getting a Bestop Super Top. The instant conversion of the doors to half doors is hard to best.

 

I'm really happy with bestop, I sent them pictures of my 30yr old fastback when i got it from grant. They sent me some missing parts for free knowing it was 2nd hand.

 

My '67 CJ had a 51595 (Supertop Classic 55-75) installed when I bought it. They are pricey but really nice, IMO the best by far. It sat outside for many years and I was shocked at how good it stayed.

I drive mine with the doors, top installed and windows not installed. I did install the windows at one point and it did an excellent job of keeping the rain out. Make sure the passenger doesn't grab the support beams when they get in. The window frames have a little tab at the top edge that attaches to the cross beam. It's plastic and break but it's easy to make a little sheet metal replacement.

Make sure you get all the hardware because it's very hard to find second hand. I bought one used in very nice condition in tan. I'm looking for the belt rails and window frames. Hard to find. When people pull a top to sell they forget to unbolt these so they are usually missing from a used one.

I also have a Bestop bikini top on my other jeep. It's nice and affordable and keeps the sun off you.

 

What do you plan to use the top for?
If you really aren't going to use the doors often, I would have a full length bikini top made by a local canvas shop.
Both of these full length bikini tops keep 95% of the rain off you and only cost about $300 to have made.
I made the rear bow that attaches to the roll cage.
An added bonus to the Bikini top is you can have it attach to the windshield channel or add snaps to have it attach to the roll cage with the windshield folded down.

 

Kyle has a point.
Mine is basically bikini with doors. It gets zipped up just for inclement weather and when parked on the street. I do the trail rides with my (less expensive) bikini top.

If you have something made you have control over the headroom.

I have not used my hard top since getting the soft top. I plan on making a rear bow and making something to shade the kids and cargo.

 

I love your jeep! Especially the wheels! I’m looking for a set now. I was thinking of a top for rain, but one like you described and showed would be cheaper. Is that about a 2.5 inch lift?

 

What tire/wheel size is on your jeep. They look really tall.

 

I would estimate my jeep to have roughly 4" of lift between springs and shackles.
Steve's 71 is probably closer to 4.5" of lift due to the spring hangers being slightly taller.

 

They are 32" overall 7.50/16" bias 8 ply Trans Trac LT.

 

Here’s a Bestop Supertop. Absolutely love it! So many configurations you can run with, which creates a different driving experience each time!

 

Agreed 100%
It's also nice not having 1,000,000 snaps in your Jeep.

 

Another vote here for the Super Top. The advantages is has over the cheaper Tiger Top are:

• No snaps for the main top or doors, just for the rear window to tailgate.
• Being able to turn your doors to half doors in seconds.
• Being able to zip out and remove the rear and side windows. On the Tiger Top, they are permanent and you roll and strap them up.

In the winter, I run the full top:


When it gets a little warmer, the sides and tops of the doors come off. I have nets in the back to keep Bodie from falling out. He's not as athletic as he thinks he is:


If it's still a little cold, we'll run the full doors with the sides off and the heater going. This is fine down into the low 40s:


In the summer the whole doors come off. I always leave the back window in place because we live in the land of dust and it really helps keep the dust from rolling in the back:


If I'm running around in the Summer with the dogs and my wife isn't along, I'll be asymmetric and put the half door on the passenger side to help keep the dog sitting in front from falling out:

 

Great pics. If those dogs get hold of the keys, you're in trouble!

Dave

 

I run a top made out of a used sun shade. It has held up really well.

 

The sun shade blocks a lot of the sun. Not much rain to worry about here in Phoenix.

 

Thank you for the detailed description. I like the half doors. Beautiful country out your way! Nice jeep too! (And doggies!)

 

I have full soft tops for my CJ5, and two of my CJ2As (47 and 48). All three are the Tiger tops and you have to roll up the sides or rear panels if you want it open. I have removed these tops from both the CJ5 and the 47 and have been running "Bikini" tops on these Jeeps which for this part of the country are really all I need. The 48 is the only Jeep I have with a heater, so the 48 would be my choice for cold, or stormy weather, and for warm weather I remove the doors and roll up the sides.

Were I to buy a new top for any of these I would buy the super top for the reasons already mentioned.

Shade is the important thing in the Summer her in the Sunny South, which either a full top or a Bikini top provides. I prefer the openness of the Bikini tops, they will keep you fairly dry if caught out in the rain, and are a lot easier to remove and roll up than a full top when you want to go topless.