Newbie Help With Soft Tops and Doors?

So when is the majic day you sell this stuff?

 

The first project is just finding out what the heck I have and which goes to what. I'm very close to finishing this portion. Then, we'll be determining if these tops will be used to make templates for reproductions. After that, they'll go to eBay probably (and you guys will get the heads-up before they do).

 

Here's one of the two Whitco tops I took out to measure and take a look at. The windows have a sticky, waxy substance on them....I don't know if they'll clean up or not. The rest of the top is in very good shape. I'm sure I could get the windows replaced.

Not sure what model this is for.....any ideas. Best I can tell, this is a model 2100 top.













Do I understand correctly that the Whitco bows are one-piece instead of 2 pieces like the Kayline bows are? What other hardware would go with a top of this design?

 

Another question for you knowlegeable folks:

What model would have the soft top that actually goes OVER the front of the windshield frame? Here are some pics to illustrate what I'm talking about:







The sewn-in rope at the bottom of the "flap" that goes over the windshield frame looks like it would attach to the channel about 2 inches down from the top edge of the windshield frame. Any help?

 

IIRC the Whitco bows were 2 piece, and I think the CJ3A & CJ3B tops came over the windshield frame like that...but I'm relying on my memory of Jeeps I knew 30 years ago, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

Okay, last post for the night. Here's the 1/2 top that I have. There's no brand name on it anywhere that I can see. The width of the door openings indicate that it is probably for a flat fender model, but what do you guys think?







The rear panel is about 36" wide and has four snaps across it:



I just hosed it off to get the dust off.....haven't tried to clean it beyond that. One half of the window is pretty cloudy. It would be good enough to use as a template, though!

 

my Kayline 3A top is that way

 

I would agree with the 2100 assessment looking at the diagrams I have.
the 1200 model bows are different than the 2100 bows; the 2100 being full length and both mount down on the top of the body; the rear 1200 mounts to and half way up the 1200 front bow.
The Whitco bows were all one piece until later years....
the Whitco shipping boxes were much larger/bigger than Kayline because of this.

 

Okay, so looking at a million Google images of early flat fenders, I concur that the top with the forward edge that goes over the windshield frame is for the 3A and 3B models (2A's have the frame that is square at the edges and flat along the top).

Question: What would be the difference between a top for a 3A and a 3B. I know the 3B has the higher hood and different firewall, but is there anything that would make one top different from the other or would a 3A and 3B top be identical?

Question: The complete Kayline Luxair Top I have for the CJ5....what years will it fit. What year were there changes to the tub/windshield/door dimensions?

 

there's a good chance they are the same.
My instruction sheet lists for both 3A and 3B
I guess vehicles side by side and/or a tape measure may be the only way to know for sure...unless other proof materializes somewhere.

 

should fit years 1955-1975
bow pockets would have been provided for those Jeeps that had none.
the major vehicle design changes didn't occur till 1976 CJ models.
At that point, we stopped using Kayline for 76 and later as the Whitco design was superior, in our opinion. Didn't hurt that Whitco was factory choice as well.

 

Yes, the mounting hardware kit has the bow pockets that would bolt/screw to the outside of the tub at the rear corners....that's what you're referring to, right? Okay, good.....55-75.....

If the top for the 3A and 3B are the same, then I'm pretty confident that I have the complete top with the bows and rod assemblies for the Kayline Luxair. The box I have reads that it is for the 3B without doors.

Does anyone know if the doors for the 2A, 3A and 3B are interchangeable or not?

 

Bestop lists a different part # for CJ3A & CJ3B. I'd think the doors would be different due to the higher cowl & shorter windshield on the 3B.

 

The different part #'s.....that's for doors, not tops, right? You're right, different doors for the two would make sense.....

 

Update: I'll be sending my complete CJ5 Kayline Luxair top (with bows, doors and hardware) to my contact in SC for him to draw up templates and work out a feasible cost. We should have some rough numbers very soon.

On a related note, he said he has a client who would like a CJ6 top (a tan cavas one). I guess Bestop is the only company building this top and it only comes in black vinyl. He asked if I had a CJ6 top and I do not.

I did note, however, that the installation instructions for the CJ5 top are the same instructions for the CJ6 top. I assume that the only thing different between these two tops would be the additional length along the sides of the rear portion of the tub. Are there any other differences?

 

Can anyone confirm if there are other differences between the CJ5 and 6 other than the extended length?

 

Well, with lots of help from jpflat2a, FugginJim and Glenn (sorry, don't know your handle here), we determined a few things this morning over at the shop.

First thing is that the bow set that I thought went to the CJ5 Luxair top is actually for the Kayliner convertible top. This was determined by the presence of holes at the ends of the bows (where they bolt to the tensioning hinge/bracket "thingys" (the technical name) instead of having no holes in the bows for the Luxairs (because they either sat in bow pockets (rear) or over "pins" (front).

Second, we determined that the Whitco tops I have are the 1200 model, not the 2100 model based on the type of bows used.

Third, we determined that we need to do more research. jpflat2a took the (what we think is) Kayline Luxair 3B top, bows and rods home with him to see how it all compares to the one on his rig at home (which already has a Luxair mounted on it). Glenn is going to look through more of his paperwork to see if he can determine more of "which goes to what."

The saga continues.....thanks for all your help!