half hard top questions

[dak44312]

I've located a half hardtop a couple hours away. I have a full soft top now (STC, nutmeg, absolutely new condition, tinted plastic, may be for sale later), and I have no idea what to look for with these hard tops. From doing some research, it looks like there is no hardware. It bolts to the windshield frame and the bulkhead. Correct?

I want to get a sliding window for it (and I assume a new seal). I'm not sure what year the top is. Were there any changes in them over the course of the production run? Rear window sizes all the same?

I have the STC doors as well as the factory hard doors. Both compatible?

The seller told me there are no holes for the belt bolts? Holesaw OK, or will it shred the glass? What size holes? Oh, and what about the bushings that go between the top and the bar?

Any thing else I need to watch for?

Thanks for any input. I just bought an '83 two days ago after lurking here for more than a year. I'll post up some pics soon.

Dave.

 

[ag4ever]

The half hard top bolts to the rear bulkhead and should have a metal strip rivoted to it at the front. This metal strip is screwed to the windshield frame. I plan to do away with the metal srip and install some latches to sinch the hard top down.

The seat belt hole is just a 1/2" hole the bolt passes through. No need for a large hole from a hole saw.

I can't help with the rubber bushings as mine has a piece on angle iron that sits flush to the hard top wher the seat belts bolt.

 

[OnlyinaJeepCJ]

I plan to do away with the metal srip and install some latches to sinch the hard top down.

If your going to toss it, could you let me know. Even if you want a few bucks for it and of couse I'll pay shipping. I need one for one of the hardtops. Thanks.

 

[Bushmaster6]

dibs on the nutmeg top

seriously, if you're going to sell that full lenght nutmeg top, please PM me..

does the STC model snap to the tub or does it have a rail system like Bestop?

 

[dak44312]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to get the top today. Now I need a bulkhead. Any opinions on the glass ones? Anyone have a cheap OEM in good shape? Here are some pics. Sorry for the quality, its raining here.

Bushmaster- it uses the rails. I'm on the fence selling it because I know I won't find another one. I will let you know. I've had a couple other people ask about it, too.

 

[4miles]

I've located a half hardtop a couple hours away. I have a full soft top now (STC, nutmeg, absolutely new condition, tinted plastic, may be for sale later), and I have no idea what to look for with these hard tops. From doing some research, it looks like there is no hardware. It bolts to the windshield frame and the bulkhead. Correct?

It bolts through the bulkhead with I believe 4 5/16 bolts and uses 5 screws through the metal piece on the front. I would check where the bolts go for rusting or stripped and save you some work later.Also check for any fiberglass issues like delaminating. Check to see if it has been repainted. I have what I believe is a lap belt original finish and it had a little texture to it. The other I picked up was shoulder harness type and had been painted and smooth. I painted mine and was able to preserve the finish.

I want to get a sliding window for it (and I assume a new seal). I'm not sure what year the top is. Were there any changes in them over the course of the production run? Rear window sizes all the same?

I would purchase a slider and gasket from Matt at GRT8TOPS for a good product and good price. There are 2 different size rear window openings and he will make sure you get the right one. He has some sketches that he will get to you and it easy to tell the difference.

I have the STC doors as well as the factory hard doors. Both compatible?

If they are the same as the dimensions as the hard door it would work. Not sure on how well it would seal.

The seller told me there are no holes for the belt bolts? Holesaw OK, or will it shred the glass? What size holes? Oh, and what about the bushings that go between the top and the bar?

Any thing else I need to watch for?

Thanks for any input. I just bought an '83 two days ago after lurking here for more than a year. I'll post up some pics soon.

Dave.

On my lap belt one there are dimples where you could drill the holes. Not sure if this is on all.
Looks like everyone is using shock bushings for here and there are some threads on this already.

 

[Bushmaster6]

holy carp

.. those windows are dark! can you see out of them?

nice looking scram..

alright, if you're interested we can chat offline.. good luck with the new top..

David

 

[4miles]

STC top installation manual

Dave,

If you decide to sell and if needed, I do have the installation manual for the top in pdf format.

 

[dak44312]

.. those windows are dark! can you see out of them?

nice looking scram..

alright, if you're interested we can chat offline.. good luck with the new top..

David

Its the weirdest thing I've ever seen. They are super dark on the outside (you can't see in at all), but the vision from inside is really good, even at night. I would rank it right up there with the pyramids and the Loch Ness monster.

I'll be in touch if I decide to come off of it.

Thanks.

 

[dak44312]

Dave,

If you decide to sell and if needed, I do have the installation manual for the top in pdf format.

Thanks, I can see it being a pain for someone who is starting from zero and doesn't know how it gets assembled.

 

[ag4ever]

If your going to toss it, could you let me know. Even if you want a few bucks for it and of couse I'll pay shipping. I need one for one of the hardtops. Thanks.

I am not planning on tossing it. I will probably mount it on the wall as the previous owner's son wrote a prayer on it to keep him safe while working on the ranch. It add to the jeep's charm in my opinion.

For a bulkhead, I would keep an eye out on craigslist. They seem to become available every few months. Currently there is a guy trying to sell a top and bulkhead on the other side of town. He is asking $400.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1618715616.html

 

[dak44312]

OK, so who's the bum that bought the half hardtop in Pittsburgh

On a related note, does anybody have a black half hardtop (and a bulkhead, perhaps) in good shape within driving distance to NE Ohio?

 

[John N]

OK, so who's the bum that bought the half hardtop in Pittsburgh

On a related note, does anybody have a black half hardtop (and a bulkhead, perhaps) in good shape within driving distance to NE Ohio?

Try sending a PM to racinrudy on here. He probably has a few.

 

[dak44312]

Tried that. Thanks, though.

 

[Jeeperdd]

PM sent on bulkheads

 

[dak44312]

OK, so I found a top. Paid $150 for it, but it needs the rail that holds it to the windshield. Are these available somewhere, or does anyone have one?

 

[4miles]

Hard top strip

OK, so I found a top. Paid $150 for it, but it needs the rail that holds it to the windshield. Are these available somewhere, or does anyone have one?

Here is a recent thread that may help you out.
https://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24923

 

[ag4ever]

OK, so I found a top. Paid $150 for it, but it needs the rail that holds it to the windshield. Are these available somewhere, or does anyone have one?

I personally don't like the metal strip for securing the hard top. I am in the process of installing some draw latches from mcmaster-carr for securing the front of the top. i will post some pictures when I am done.

 

[dak44312]

Thanks for all the help, guys. Here's where I am:

Took off the soft top and hardware. PO used some RTV-based (but more permanent) stuff to bond the rails to the bed and the channel to the windshield. Not too excited about taking them off. Already removed the sections that sit under the half cab so I could trial fit it. I tweaked them slightly. The windshield channel is toast. Hopefully, Bestops rails work with this top so that when I sell it, its not a bummer for the buyer.

Power washed the half cab. It was a mess, but actually cleaned up pretty well. I did a little prepping and picked up some satin black Krylon Fusion, along with some satin white and satin "brown boots" color. I tested a spot on another piece of fiberglass I have...I'm not digging the satin black. Trying to find flat - nobody here carries it.

The white and brown are for the inside. Trying to match my nutmeg. If I can't (and "brown boots" doesn't very well), white will be the default. Satin looks pretty good for the interior.

I also removed the weatherstrips at the windshield and bulkhead mounting points. These look fairly easy to find. They seem to be a universal profile. If anyone has more specific info, I'll take it.

I've decided to just keep the fixed window. Where can I get a seal? GR8Tops? How the hell does one go about installing the window?

I've seen the Lange latch kits. Are they decent? Ag4ever- if you would pass on some MM-C part numbers once you've guinea pigged it, I'd appreciate it.

The guy gave me a bulkhead with the top. Its probably not going to be usable. It sits in there, but is just a little too far gone to use. A couple of you have PM'ed me about bulkheads and I'm going to take someone up on it here pretty soon.

 

[ag4ever]

Here is what I am doing for mounting my top:

The latches are from Mcmaster-Carr

(adjustable draw latch #1864A13)

http://www.mcmaster.com/#adjustable-draw-latches/=6f6xs9

The insert in the top is a Jack Nut #90186A311

http://www.mcmaster.com/#jack-nuts/=6f6ytn

To mount the lower catch, I drilled holes in the windshield frame and tapped the holes for the 6-32 stainless cap screws I bought at the local ACE Hardware.