CJ5 windshield frame & windshield - hardtop

[65reissue]

Hi...I have a 77 CJ5 I bought a month or so ago. It came with one of those older Orrville (?? I believe) steel hardtop with doors. The top attaches with screws into the windshield frame...also has some pieces that attach to the side of the windshield frame to make up the gap. Anyway...I am not going the hardtop route (so will be looking to sell the top and doors). So...my question...with the windshield frame full of holes for the top, is it better to find a used windshield frame and get new windshield, seals, etc individually? ....or would it be smarter to just get one of the new windshield frames w/windshield, seals etc from Quadratec (part # 12501.0000)? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

how many holes are there? if there's not many and they don't go all the way through, i wouldn't worry about it, unless of course you care alot about the appearance. at any rate you could save your self some money and weld em up, if you have access to a mig welder.

that said if you find a used windshield frame, chances are it won't be in real good shape (rust is a pretty common thing on cj windshield frames), you might be better off buying the new combo from quadratec

 

[65reissue]

Thanks for the response...there are quite a few holes...and a patch behind one of the windshield wipers...not sure what is under there but I can imagine. So I figure I will need to get a difference frame...just didnt know if for the money it is smarter to get the new one from quadratec or mess with an older one. I am wanting to restore so good appearance will be part of the goal. I didn't know if anyone has got the frame combo from quadratec? I assume it is good quality? I've heard bad reviews regarding some of their sheetmetal body panels...didn't know if there was a concern with these frames at all either. thanks again for the response...I am really digging the information and help you can get off this site. thanks again...

 

[Cheepjeep85]

well most sheetmetal made for cjs these days is made overseas in china or somewhere, most all will need some sort of body work/modification to em. you gotta remember OEM hasn't stamped this stuff in almost 30 years, and the repop stuff is made and shipped from a third world country several thousand miles away. id say definitely buy new though, because most used stuff won't be any better than what you have.

 

[65reissue]

Ok...thanks Cheepjeep85. Thats the route I was thinking but was looking for some comfirmation. I appreciate your help. thanks again.

 

[OldC7]

Just a heads up.
I bought a new Taiwan repop job from Morris 4x4 for my CJ7 .
Windshield, Gasket , and Frame were all Taiwan.
Glass was really nice quality.
Took two of us about two hours to replace the glass and seal with the frame mounted on the jeep.
It was extremely tight fit. So tight there was no way to use any sealer.
I have put a half dozen windshields in and it was right on the edge of not working. With soap and some tools to push in the gasket it worked.
I would buy it all in a second if I needed to do it again.
With new hinges I had to wrangle the bolt holes some with pry bars but it all fits. I also had to hammer the corner tops in some to fit my hardtop correctly.

 

[65reissue]

I really bet that that is the same combo that Quadratec sells. Was the windshield fine without sealer?

 

[OldC7]

I havent seen any leaks. The jeep sets outside to. The glass was really nice then I saw the Taiwan sticker on it.
I have used Taiwan made seals on trucks before and had leaks.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

Just a heads up.
I bought a new Taiwan repop job from Morris 4x4 for my CJ7 .
Windshield, Gasket , and Frame were all Taiwan.
Glass was really nice quality.
Took two of us about two hours to replace the glass and seal with the frame mounted on the jeep.
It was extremely tight fit. So tight there was no way to use any sealer.
I have put a half dozen windshields in and it was right on the edge of not working. With soap and some tools to push in the gasket it worked.
I would buy it all in a second if I needed to do it again.
With new hinges I had to wrangle the bolt holes some with pry bars but it all fits. I also had to hammer the corner tops in some to fit my hardtop correctly.

thats what im saying its either tweak repopped asian parts, or fix rusty old parts, either way you are going to have to put a little work into them.

 

[65reissue]

Ok...I still think I'd rather start fresh. I figure I will go the new route.

 

[kadar]

You said you were thinking of selling the steel top off your 77. I'm looking for a top. Question is will it fit a 67? Let me know O.K.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Keep your eye out for stuff for sale locally. I grabbed a brand new frame, glass, cowl seal, glass seal and set of hinges for $200.

 

[65reissue]

You said you were thinking of selling the steel top off your 77. I'm looking for a top. Question is will it fit a 67? Let me know O.K.

I'm not sure...some of the others on here might be able to tell you. I believe they are definitely for older CJ's than my 77. It is the Orville Meyer I believe. I can get some pictures if you want me to. I put a link on here of a top just like mine except white. Mine is black. CJ5 Orville/Meyers Hardtop . If you notice there is a gap between the top and the sides of the windshield frame...there is supposed to be extra pieces, which I have. let me know. thanks.