Americanmade Jeep bikini half tops

[chris989604]

Hello everyone,

I was so disgusted with my new bikini tops i just made one instead. I have a lot of request for CJ5s and I can not find anyone in las vegas to use as a test jeep for measurements.

If anyone is in vegas, and has a decent condition CJ5 pre76 and/or 76-83 I would like to offer you a free top if I can measure and test the fit on your jeep.

I have a CJ7 .




Here we go, step by step..

we are using an extruded plastic with a .250 bead and a .500 wing to insert into the windshield track. The fabric is double stitched, the plastic extends to the end of the fabric, the bead is trimmed back .500 to allow for the binding.


we then stitch a 2" section of polyester webbing onto the top to provide chafe against the windshield frame.








The front edge is folded back onto itself and stitched back until the webbing ends. This keeps the plastic windshield insert pointing in the correct direction all the time. the strip does not fall out of the track when installing the straps





We kept the fabric full width to the roll bar to provide as much shade as possible. This makes the gather at the roll bar more difficult to sew.
Making the strap to pull equal tension of the side as well as the side to side in the rear is a compromise. The shorter the side material, the easier it is to make tight. The older tops are 48 wide, new competitor tops are 52. Ours are 56". We can make them more narrow if requested but most wanted a little more on the sides.







This small gusset of fabric is sewn under the top where the webbing attaches. It will help spread the load.



We use a one inch polyester webbing with UV blockers added. It measure .075 in thickness. We are also using a metal ladder lock for the webbing. This may change to plastic. I will be testing a different weaved webbing this week. the metal is smooth but if pulled hard and hard on the side it frays the webbing slightly. the metal locks potentially have burrs from the stamping.












Thank you everyone for your help.

Chris

 

[GARGOYLEJEEPER]

That looks nice, to bad I do not have a 5 or in Vegas.
I have a NOS Steel Horse for my 1981 CJ7 Laredo .
I also have a 2A with ripped straps, my mom was supposed to fix.
Nice.

 

[elwood blues]

:rock: Great write-up!

If you've looking to make a prototype CJ7 top in tan, let me know, I'm fed up with having to replace my bikini top every couple of years

 

[PaRenegade]

If you ever find a source for slate blue material, or even the lighter blue like Bestop used to offer, you'll have cornered the market.

 

[chris989604]

If you ever find a source for slate blue material, or even the lighter blue like Bestop used to offer, you'll have cornered the market.

That blue is a hard one, I have access to other products like Sunbrella Supreme. I used some old sunbrella when first mocking up tops but i never drove it down the road. I am not sure how it would hold up?? But I am always on the hunt for nutmeg and that blue.

Fabric Showroom: Sunbrella fabrics

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

so are you making these? If so I would like a tan one. My bestop one blows out of the windshield channel if you sustain speeds of over 60 MPH

 

[chris989604]

so are you making these? If so I would like a tan one. My bestop one blows out of the windshield channel if you sustain speeds of over 60 MPH

Yes,, But I do not want to get flagged as a classified add. You can e-mail me at usatops@usa.com. I can give you more details.

We will have CJ5 and CJ7 tops this week and hopefully a saddle and buckskin soon. This just started out of frustration with what is available. Did really think so many felt the same way. I have a web site but it is not online just yet. maybe another week.


Chris

 

[Petescj]

Anyone who wants to buy simply pm or email the OP. That's all we ask. Looks like a nice quality top.

 

[GatorBate]

I don't suppose you could put a tinted sun roof in you bikini tops?

 

[Neuner]

Cool - email sent.

My bestop is hanging in there but I can't see it hanging in there much longer due to the amount of times I put it on and remove it.

 

[IOPort51]

when you get the CJ5 worked out I would like to talk to you about a white top.

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Chris I sent you a pm about a tan top for my 7

 

[chris989604]

when you get the CJ5 worked out I would like to talk to you about a white top.

I can not PM you, I have the 5 worked out, email me and i will give you my one number usatops@usa.com. we can talk about the white top.

 

[bokesjeep]

Are you making them for CJ3a ,s

 

[jzak]

Nice quality work. I've been also complaining about Bestop Bikini tops. On mine, the material has stretched to the point where the back flap is actually blocking my ability to see out my rearview mirror. I never had these issues on my last CJ5 Bikini top, so I have to assume Bestop has cut some corners somewhere. Really disappointed!

 

[chris989604]

Are you making them for CJ3a ,s

Not yet, but i can. I have all of the materials now in place to make any type of top. Finding the jeeps local to measure and test is the hard part.
Chris

 

[chris989604]

Nice quality work. I've been also complaining about Bestop Bikini tops. On mine, the material has stretched to the point where the back flap is actually blocking my ability to see out my rearview mirror. I never had these issues on my last CJ5 Bikini top, so I have to assume Bestop has cut some corners somewhere. Really disappointed!

I do not think this Haartz material will stretch like that. I tested other materials and understand what your are talking about. I do not have anymore of the tops i used for testing but i do have some made of the sailcloth for a CJ5 . I will have a vendor account here soon and you can keep in touch that way or our website when you are ready.

Chris

 

[jzak]

I do not think this Haartz material will stretch like that. I tested other materials and understand what your are talking about. I do not have anymore of the tops i used for testing but i do have some made of the sailcloth for a CJ5 . I will have a vendor account here soon and you can keep in touch that way or our website when you are ready.

Chris

Thanks for the reply. I think the main case of the stretching has to do with the rain. I originally had it in a garage, so it rarely left out in the rain. I started noticing the stretching when I moved into my new place where I had to keep the CJ outside. If it rained a lot, the bikini top would collect literally gallons of water. Every time I got the water out, I would notice that I had to retighten down the straps.

I still can't believe Bestop would use a material that stretches so easily. Never had any issues with their full-tops. I wonder if they are outsourcing the work to some second rate chinese supplier.

 

[gr8dain]

Thanks for the reply. I think the main case of the stretching has to do with the rain. I originally had it in a garage, so it rarely left out in the rain. I started noticing the stretching when I moved into my new place where I had to keep the CJ outside. If it rained a lot, the bikini top would collect literally gallons of water. Every time I got the water out, I would notice that I had to retighten down the straps.



I still can't believe Bestop would use a material that stretches so easily. Never had any issues with their full-tops. I wonder if they are outsourcing the work to some second rate chinese supplier.

Bestop is now made in Mexico if I remember correctly. And I had stretching issues with my full tiger top. It would pool up badly until I added a third bow. But the sailcloth supertop on my old YJ never had issues.