full cage and hard top clearance

[thescot]

My CJ has a full cage roll bar. The bars that run from the stock rear half to the front section have the typical bend to them, and the were welded in with the bend towards the windshield. Sounds weird but Ive seen them both ways and Im not sure what the actual install should have been. Regardless because the bend is up front and Im thinkin the hard top wont sit down because of the bend in the bars. Anybody using a hard top with a after market type front roll bar kit? Will the top fit.
I hate to take off the soft top, all that hardware,drag the hardtop outta storage only to find its a no go.

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

Not to be rude, what one person has you may not. Perhaps, measure the top and the top of cage in comparison to the top of windshield frame? Just a thought, I know the feeling.

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[tarry99]

My CJ has a full cage roll bar. The bars that run from the stock rear half to the front section have the typical bend to them, and the were welded in with the bend towards the windshield. Sounds weird but Ive seen them both ways and Im not sure what the actual install should have been. Regardless because the bend is up front and Im thinkin the hard top wont sit down because of the bend in the bars. Anybody using a hard top with a after market type front roll bar kit? Will the top fit.
I hate to take off the soft top, all that hardware,drag the hardtop outta storage only to find its a no go.

I think that really depends on a lot of things........and even measuring may not completely tell you what you need to know until you set it on there! .........if your bars come from the main hoop behind your head and then forward and bend down to the floor there is a good chance they will contact the top just in the front corner sides above the door about 6-8" away from the windshield............the other style front hoop looks more like the main hoop and offers better clearance for that.........If its a fiberglass top that has an insulated headliner there is a good chance that a little notching in those corners will get you the clearance you need.................to many variables though among installs.......Just got to try!.........Good Luck!

 

[thescot]

Not to be rude, what one person has you may not. Perhaps, measure the top and the top of cage in comparison to the top of windshield frame? Just a thought, I know the feeling.

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No worries, guess my basic question was which way the front to back bars should have been installed. But even then it depends somewhat on how wide they were welded in as well. Recon it times to do some diggin and do what my lazy butt was trying to avoid.
Thanks guys

 

[PaRenegade]

I've seen them both ways and still can't decide which looks better. And that's what it comes down to, the look you prefer. There is no right or wrong.
The kits for cages usually come with a couple extra inches in length so you can trim it to fit your needs so it's hard to base it off of others unless you have their dimensions and a similar tub.

 

[BajaEdition]

would be hard to say if it fit with so little information
best bet would be to try to fit the top on

 

[johnnyreb]

how about some pics while your at it.

 

[thescot]

I slipped on the stock steel doors and my thoughts of a hardtop/factory door install hit the wall. With the full cage the doors wont close as the door panels hit the front hoop. If there was clearance, then the windows would not be operable.
Im now thinking its time to part with the top and doors and a few other CJ parts I'll likely never use. The only way fit the doors and hardtop up is to take out the front roll cage. Im thinkin negatory on that one.

 

[gojeepgo]

It all depends upon how your cage was welded in. When I did mine the first time the front hoop was about a half inch taller than the windshield frame. Not enough to notice while it was being built but enough to notice when I put the soft top back on to drive home. The top touched the front hoop from side to side across the windshield. When I got home I decided to just sell my hard top at that point because I knew it would never fit. I never even tried the hard doors. They have been in my basement for almost 20 yrs but I just cant part with them for some reason. I just recently put an all new cage in the CJ and still have no idea if my hard doors fit but I know I will never own another hard top.

 

[440brew]

I too have a similar set up to what you described. the two center bars are high toward the center hoop. Just two days ago I tried to fit my newly purchased hardtop from the local junk yard and it did not fit. I decided to cut the bars out and re weld in new bars with less bend.