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M38a1 Top Bows On A Cj?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 71CJ54WD, Oct 21, 2018.

  1. Oct 21, 2018
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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  2. Oct 21, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Yes, I've done it, using the military mount pockets in the vestigal tub indentations.

    The windshield channel is slightly different, in that the GI channel has more "arch".
     
  3. Oct 21, 2018
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    Does it end up sealing well or is this a futile project. Would you do it again?
     
  4. Oct 21, 2018
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Just out of curiosity, why are you looking to do this? Personally I think it looks better and the one thing I just hate about the Besttops is that extension bar the goes to the front windshield. I'm for ever bumping it with my head as I get in and out. I don't have that issue with just the bikini top. From pics I've looked at, it doesn't seem to have that bracket.
     
  5. Oct 22, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I couldn't say about sealing - I just used the upper section as a summer top.
    However I do have the parts from an old winter top and it seems the design was quite well planned for severe weather.

    As for the canvas and the use in summer, I'd definitely do it again, in preference to vinyl.

    When the full winter top is installed with doors, there is a bar above the door opening.
     
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  6. Oct 22, 2018
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

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    Do you notice that the fit on the windshield isn't as good as it is intended to be on an M38A1?


    I want to do this because I don't particularly appreciate the look of the Bestop. Maybe over time it will grow on me and I'll go that route but as of now I think I am going to be ordering the parts needed to run the military top. The Bestop seems awfully "JK" to me and that just seems wrong on my Jeep...with that said the original tops were basically a hard to use Super Top so being realistic tells me the Bestop is the way to go.
     
  7. Oct 22, 2018
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I'm kind me of with you on the look just doesn't seem right. The military tops just seem right to me. But mine is red, so I don't think olive on red would look right.
     
  8. Oct 23, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I can't answer this precisely, it was many years ago, but I don't recall it being an issue.

    Comparing with my M38A1-C doesn't help because the slotted windshield for the 155mm gun had no channel for a top. I had to add one myself.
     
  9. Oct 23, 2018
    TonyM

    TonyM Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Middle Tennessee
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    I did a similar thing on my 3A years ago using an M38 top (from OD Cloth/weebee webbing - top quality stuff) and M38 bows, rods and door frames - Like the CJ5 and M38A1, the bodies of the 3A and M38 are nearly identical and the placement of the bow pockets was easy. It looked great (the reason I did it) and functioned fairly well. I will say that here in TN i didn't use the doors and side curtains too much, probably not enough to justify the extra expense of getting them. In a downpour the full enclosure was OK and kept you pretty dry but water still got in here and there. During the winter the full enclosure w/doors was certainly good at keeping the wind out but my heater wasn't powerful enough to heat the cabin in a way where I could say that the top was noticeable for heat retention. I don't think a new Best Top would have been any better in this regard. Stopping the wind was/is key.

    If I were to go this route again with my 56 CJ5, I would buy the A1 military winter top (with all the hardware snaps, etc attached) in case I wanted to add the curtains and doors later as they're pretty expensive.

    BUT...I think my 12 year old daughter and I are going to make a custom summer top/extended bikini top (no doors or side curtains) over the winter. We'll use canvas from Walmart (lots of colors to choose from) and clear marine vinyl that you can get online for a rear window and use her sewing machine to put it all together. Using the roll bar on the "5" and some bows from a scrap Best Top set in the original rear corner top bow pockets I estimate my investment will be about $60 + the time with my daughter, which is priceless.
     
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  10. Oct 24, 2018
    Mike C

    Mike C Member

    Austin, TX
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    My A1 has the plastic window in the summer top, but my MB has just a trimmed opening. If you are running it as a bikini top or safari top, I'd think about just trimming the opening and leave it open.

    I can think of no better way to spend time with a kid. Bonding and learning.
     
  11. Oct 24, 2018
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
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    Do the classic CJ-5 or M38A1 canvas tops and framework work amicably with the factory roll bar?

    The thing about Bestop is they're ridiculously expensive ($900 after shipping and taxes, maybe more) and only come in black vinyl or their "proprietary wonder material", PVC or some such. But the last time I priced some canvas tops on one of the military canvas vendor sites, the prices were on a scale according to what setup you wanted and cheaper.

    Anyone ever waxed, oiled or treated a canvas top to prolong its longevity or make it water repellent (3M Scotchgard?)?

    CJ5 Canvas Top.JPG

    NICE... :drool;
     
  12. Oct 24, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    DO NOT use any of the modern silicone containing crap. "Top Dressing" is the old name for what you need.

    Canvak was a brand I've used, it is still made.
    Canvak - Chicago Canvas & Supply


    They did with my '74 CJ5
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2018
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  13. Oct 25, 2018
    TonyM

    TonyM Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    A good new original style military/civilian top should come pre treated. The top I got from OD Cloth/WeeBee years ago literally stank with repellant for years. PeteL is right - use Top Dressing for these tops if needed.

    Now...on another previous homemade bikini top I made using Walmart canvas I did use a spray on repellant, but the canvas was lighter weight and the cost of replacement was so minimal that I didn't care.

    Regarding the factory roll bar and original style tops - I do not know. I didn't have roll bars on my previous jeeps. My current CJ5 does, though, and that's part of the reason why I'm going to make my extended bikini top. That, and somewhere along the line the factory top bow pockets on the wheel wells were removed to add the roll bar so i'm not sure if I'm dealing with a factory bar or something else.

    It should be easy to get the measurements on line for the original civilian bows (or military if you're going that way) and see if they'll clear a roll bar.

    Lots of info and great products here: WEEBEE WEBBING Products Page

    M38A1 windshield to bow rod work measurements (if your going to use the military bow set up on your CJ5 and fab some parts) can be found here: Top Bow and Side Curtain Rodwork Details

    Sorry for the rambling...
     
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  14. Oct 25, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I used the summer top without any. The top had sleeves to wrap the front bow, and that worked to position it well enough for me.
     
  15. Oct 25, 2018
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

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