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Focker's '71 CJ5 Drivable Build

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Focker, Aug 19, 2014.

  1. Nov 3, 2016
    James Robbins

    James Robbins jrobb

    Atlanta
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    The only issue is if I remove them then I got holes to deal with....I agree and like the simplicity of just the fendor with no "junk"....
     
    73 cj5 likes this.
  2. Nov 3, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    What's the condition of the body and paint? If it's in need of repair or paint, plug them with welds, skim with puddy and paint.
     
  3. Nov 3, 2016
    James Robbins

    James Robbins jrobb

    Atlanta
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    Jul 1, 2016
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    121
    I will check after I remove the 1st one and see what it looks like...
     
  4. Feb 23, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Getting back to the hard top.

    What do you guys say to replacing the missing glass with Plexi glass? I could avoid the glass shop(s) and do it myself.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Feb 23, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Scratches are a real headache. It won't take long to be hazy. Maybe a modern scratch repair compound would make it worth it?
     
  6. Feb 23, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Good point Ryan, I considered the fading, but not the scratching. I've used Nu Finish for repairing scratches on plastic motorcycle tanks & pieces (Dual Sport days).
     
  7. Feb 23, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    In the meantime I thought I would figure out the glass size needed. I don't want to remove the glass from the other piece in fear of breaking it. After installing the gasket in the window opening, I cut a cardboard strip down until it fit just right from top to bottom (16-7/16"). The measurement of the glass is 3/8" smaller in perimeter than the opening.

    I traced the opening onto the cardboard. Then was going to draw another line 3/8" inside of the outer line...But...
    [​IMG]

    This is stupid, but cool. I took a AAA battery and used the nipple of it to run along the window frame. The nipple to the pencil tip was 3/8"...It was too easy (AA = 1/2" BTW).
    [​IMG]

    Here's another cheesy measuring device I threw together to determine the thickness of the glass.
    [​IMG]

    3/16" thick...Now I can have a piece of glass cut or try the Plexi idea.
    [​IMG]
     
    Wirework likes this.
  8. Feb 24, 2017
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
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    Mar 23, 2012
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    698
    What about lexan? I don't think that will yellow and fade overtime?
     
  9. Feb 24, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Yeah...That too.
     
  10. Feb 24, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I went with the Lexan...Thanks 1957Willys. It's really strong and states it won't yellow...We'll see.

    A local shop that sells nothing but plastic sold me a piece for $26.
    [​IMG]

    I used a jig saw. I'm glad I went this route vs glass because I had to trim it down after the initial cut.
    [​IMG]

    The Trim Lok gasket is pretty cool. This was my first time using that style. I replaced the front split windows on my VW bus using the cord method.

    Hard to tell there's anything there. I hope I can get the rest of the glass looking this good.
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Feb 24, 2017
    Framer Mike P

    Framer Mike P Member

    Hopkinton, NH
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    Jan 4, 2016
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    That looks great - Nice job! And I will remember the double a nipple scribe technique!
     
    Focker likes this.
  12. Feb 27, 2017
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    Where did you get the seal?
     
  13. Feb 27, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    It came with the top when I got it. You can get it by the foot online.
     
  14. Feb 27, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

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    Really cool!!

    Polycarbonate (Makrolon/Lexan are product names, like Kleenex) scratches really easily as well but shouldn't fade at all. We use it a lot for my high school robotics team, so it's hardly ever perfect. The good news that is that it shows much less, and easily replaceable. We've never tried to polish it to clear it up so that might be an option.

    Two cool side benefits: You can thermo-form it (carefully not to overheat it and bubble it) and it comes in some tinted colors, so you could get a smoke tinted piece for less light intrusion.
     
  15. Feb 27, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Nice work. I'll probably use glass whenever I get to my hardtop on the Tuxedo but, I've been wondering about the gasket. Thanks for sharing this.
     
  16. Feb 28, 2017
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
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    That looks good my top didn't have door glass so I cut two pieces windows out of a piece of lexan that I found hanging out of the top of a dumpster it's alittle scuffed up in some places but it works.
     
    Focker likes this.
  17. Mar 5, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Dug the Jeep out and assembled the top. I bought "C" clamps from HF, but I don't trust that type of mounting. I ended up drilling into the Jeep and bolting it down.

    It was a pain...So I'll probably just paint it while it's mounted on the Jeep.
    [​IMG]

    I made a strap mount to avoid drilling any new holes in the windshield frame.
    [​IMG]
     
    GraySkies and tymbom like this.
  18. Mar 6, 2017
    tymbom

    tymbom Member

    Siskiyou Co.
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    I like the look of the side windows on your hard top... I've been considering enlarging the windows on mine, that settles it.
     
  19. Mar 12, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I got the glass and rubber molding super clean...Now getting ready for rattle can black.

    I'd be further along if I didn't stop to do the cross word puzzle on the right rear window. :D
    [​IMG]
     
  20. Mar 13, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    That top looks good.

    We have a batch of baby chicks downstairs... it takes me a half hour to clean their pen every night because I get stuck reading the newspaper articles in their bedding. :rolleyes:
     
    Focker and 75 DJ like this.
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