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How to install an ACME top?

Quixote Kid

Member
City
Terlingua
State
TX
Hey Y’all,
I have an ‘81 Scrambler that came with a soft top. I recently bought an ACME hard top and doors. I really like the top because it has a sun roof!

First I’m not sure if this was originally made for an 8 or not. It came off a 7 but has the right dimensions for an 8. The only thing that is throwing me off is that the back is hinged and opens. That’s what makes me think it might not be for an 8 because it would hit the roll bar when the back opens. I really don’t want to remove my roll bar.

So I guess my questions are, how does this thing mount to the cab? I didn’t get any mounting hardware. Is that hardware still available?

Thanks
Brad
 

Quixote Kid

Member
City
Terlingua
State
TX
Some pictures.
 

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ag4ever

Average Nut
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Richmond
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TX
Looks like a factory top that had a liftgate grafted into it. The sunroof and liftgate are not factory for a 7 or an 8.

Edit, after looking at it on a computer, not my phone: Looks like a CJ-7 top that has been cut and grafted together. You can see a line in the second photo of the joint and on the third you see the interior step of the graft.

Top1.JPG

Top2.JPG

Just run it like it is and know you have a very rare top.
 
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Kim Dawson

CJ-8 Member
Member
City
Molalla
State
Or
Very rare half hardtop. Only one I've ever seen. The hatch on my full Acme hardtop is 47 inches wide. Both Scrambler and CJ7 have 48 inches between the roll bars. If your hatch is less than 48" then maybe you can adjust the fit a little for clearance. Other wise, leave it closed and have a great conversation piece for a hardtop.
 

walkerhoundvm

Just trying to stay upright
Lifetime Member
City
Cave Creek
State
AZ
Looks like a factory top that had a liftgate grafted into it. The sunroof and liftgate are not factory for a 7 or an 8.

Maybe not factory, but dealers (and probably shops) put a ton of sunroofs on CJ8 half tops in the 80s. Mine had one I'm pretty sure no previous owner could have managed to install.

I agree that this particular one is a cut down of a CJ7 though.
 

Quixote Kid

Member
City
Terlingua
State
TX
I might be wrong, but think this is a solid top that has not been cut. When I said it might be for a 7 I was referring to the tops that Acme made for 7’a that turn then into a Scrambler like vehicle. I think what y’all are seeing is a stress crack. But I’m absolutely guessing.

Some more pictures.
 

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Quixote Kid

Member
City
Terlingua
State
TX
This looks like my top except the fact that mine has a sunroof and the back opens.
 

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Kim Dawson

CJ-8 Member
Member
City
Molalla
State
Or
If it were cut down, the inside of the top would probably show signs more than the outside. Are there holes on the underside of the top where it sits on the body? Or are there holes on the inside where a latch would have mounted? Above the windshield should be holes for latches or a string of holes for a sheet metal plate that would screw to the windshield frame. We need some inside pictures.
 

CJ7Pilot

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This looks like my top except the fact that mine has a sunroof and the back opens.

Here's the caption that goes with that photo: "This is my 1986 CJ-7 with a custom made Acme top modified to a half cab...."

It seems like yours may be a one-off, maybe a factory one-off. :shrug:

As far as mounting it, if there are no mounting holes on the side flanges, maybe some camper shell clamps would work.

Good luck! :cheers:
 

Quixote Kid

Member
City
Terlingua
State
TX
Here's the caption that goes with that photo: "This is my 1986 CJ-7 with a custom made Acme top modified to a half cab...."

It seems like yours may be a one-off, maybe a factory one-off. :shrug:

As far as mounting it, if there are no mounting holes on the side flanges, maybe some camper shell clamps would work.

Good luck! :cheers:

Thanks for appropriate caption. A friend texted me the photo without the caption.
 

Quixote Kid

Member
City
Terlingua
State
TX
Some inside pictures. If this was a modification job it is excellent. So good I cannot identify a seam.

Photos show inside, sunroof above and back hatch below.
 

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Quixote Kid

Member
City
Terlingua
State
TX
There are two latches that look like they attach to the inside windshield.

There is a hole on each side of the back hatch. Sorry this picture is turned sideways.

Any advice on how to mount it?
 

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Kim Dawson

CJ-8 Member
Member
City
Molalla
State
Or
Acme hardtops use a draw-catch like the ones on your top. McMaster-Carr sells this type of catch and some members have used them. On full hardtops they hook on the edge of the body and tighten down. Probably works the same way on the body on yours. For the windshield, either there needs to be slots in your windshield or most likely another piece screwed to the windshield that the catch hooks onto. Two sets from McMaster would give you the catches for the body and the clips for the windshield as long as your front catches are in good shape. What is the distance across the lower part of the hatch? Just curious if it will clear the roll bar's 48" opening. Looks like a rare possibly prototype top. Like you said, it doesn't look like it's been modified. Restore it, use it, and be thrilled that you have the (most likely) only one.
 
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