Hard top attachment to fiberglass tub?

[BabyHuey]

Hi,
Dec, 20,2015
I have a 1983 CJ7 with an aftermarket fiberglass tub (body) . It has an inner and outer shell.
There is only a small lip on the inside of the body ( 7/16 inch ).
I want to buy a hard top for the jeep and I am not sure how the hardtop is attached
To the body.
It would help me greatly if someone could share some closeup photos of the windshield
Attachment details and the body attachment details.
I have included a couple of photos of the inside lip area of the body
( only have around 7/16 inch lip available ).
I have seen pictures of rectangular nuts with an attachment bolt that clamps the top
In multiple locations.
I think the stock steel body has a large lip ( around 1 ½ inches ) that mates to the top.
I wanted to drive to the sellers location and fasten the top and drive it home but I do not
Have enough information how to prepare my fiberglass body ahead of time so I can bolt
The top on the day I pick it up.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Phil

 

[jzak]

Hi,
Dec, 20,2015
I have a 1983 CJ7 with an aftermarket fiberglass tub (body) . It has an inner and outer shell.
There is only a small lip on the inside of the body ( 7/16 inch ).
I want to buy a hard top for the jeep and I am not sure how the hardtop is attached
To the body.
It would help me greatly if someone could share some closeup photos of the windshield
Attachment details and the body attachment details.
I have included a couple of photos of the inside lip area of the body
( only have around 7/16 inch lip available ).
I have seen pictures of rectangular nuts with an attachment bolt that clamps the top
In multiple locations.
I think the stock steel body has a large lip ( around 1 ½ inches ) that mates to the top.
I wanted to drive to the sellers location and fasten the top and drive it home but I do not
Have enough information how to prepare my fiberglass body ahead of time so I can bolt
The top on the day I pick it up.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Phil

I'm not a expert, but if the tub meets factory size specs, you should be able to drop the hardtop right on the CJ, secure it with loading straps to get it home, then once there properly secure it to the tub.

Sorry to ask, but are you sure you want to get a Hardtop? I used to have one when I owned a Wrangler, and it was nothing but trouble. It weighs A TON! You need three guys to get the thing off, and when it's off it's going to take up half of your garage. From my experience people who need hardtops tend to live in states like Minnesota or Colorado, where winters justify the need for a hardtop. Florida just doesn't seems like a place where you would ever need one, or are you getting a hardtop for security?

 

[BabyHuey]

I'm not a expert, but if the tub meets factory size specs, you should be able to drop the hardtop right on the CJ, secure it with loading straps to get it home, then once there properly secure it to the tub.

Sorry to ask, but are you sure you want to get a Hardtop? I used to have one when I owned a Wrangler, and it was nothing but trouble. It weighs A TON! You need three guys to get the thing off, and when it's off it's going to take up half of your garage. From my experience people who need hardtops tend to live in states like Minnesota or Colorado, where winters justify the need for a hardtop. Florida just doesn't seems like a place where you would ever need one, or are you getting a hardtop for security?

Hi JZAK,
Thanks for your advice. I find it very valuable. I have a fiberglass hardtop on my
1956 Corvette. I think it is around 80 to 100 LBS. I am able to take it off myself
by getting inside the vette with the doors open and just lift it in the middle and walk it out.
I also have a very small manual block and tackle rigged to a small aluminum support frame.
I can just suspend it up at the ceiling out of the way if I am not using it.

Do you know how much a typical Jeep hardtop weighs?

I was going to use the hardtop with a luggage frame to support and hual a 9ft inflatable boat Dingy.
I now think a better way is to use a tiny Harbor Freight boat trailer.
I am looking at moving the Jeep to the Virgin Islands in the near future and the softtop
and doors and back bed cover fit that climate like Florida.
I had looked at the Jeep being more secure with the hardtop but if someone is serious about making off with it for parts. They would just winch it up on a flatbed and be gone.
For that reason, I have a GPS tracking module buried in the vehicle to report it’s location.
I am now going to take your advice and stay with the hardtop.
Thanks again, You saved me a lot of time and money.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Phil - Baby Huey’s ( He’s got BIG feet ) POP