Hardtop question

[jagj52]

Hello all... had a quick question and am hoping to get some help. I was wondering if anyone might know where I might ba able to find a set of factory or aftermarket latches to attach the hardtop to the windshield frame. I have gone through my haynes and chilton manuals looking for pics of how it attaches but can find none. The previous owner has it attached with L brackets and screws and I do not like it... would like to get it back to as close to factory as possible. Thanks in advance for the help
Allen

 

[mtnwhlr]

My factory hardtop just has screws thru the top into the w/s frame. You may need to post some pics of what you have.

 

[NorthwestCJer]

My factory hardtop just has screws thru the top into the w/s frame. You may need to post some pics of what you have.

Both the ones I had were the same way. TJ's have latches. Real jeeps use screws

 

[Tinman22]

Not really sure but I think I remember my dad drilling out "these @&$;,?! Factory rivets" not that It really matters screws go back in anyway.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Yep the tops screw to the window frame from the inside. It doesn’t take long for them to strip out necessitating the next size up.

 

[jagj52]

Sorry it took so long to reply but I took a pic of what is connecting the hardtop to the windshield frame and will try to attach it... Like I said earlier, just a couple of "L brackets." They look bad and the bolts that go through the top LEAK!!! I will have to do some fiberglass work on the top to fill the holes and was thinking a newer connection method could be used.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Do you have a aftermarket hard top? That looks real cheesy.

 

[tjmons]

The factory installation uses a metal strip the whole length of the top and the windshield frame. It is around a inch wide with a hole for the to and the frame. As stated in a early post it uses screws. I think I see the holes in the middle of one of your pics. I can post a picture of mine if it will help

 

[jagj52]

No, not an aftermarket top... its an origional that the previous owner bastardized!

 

[jagj52]

That would be great! This way I will know what to look for.

 

[Vvajk]

Wow. The previous owner must have done that to make it faster maybe to take the top off. I don't know. Kinda sucks that you now have holes drilled through the top of your hardtop! Did anybody ever get you any pics of how it's supposed to look?

 

[tjmons]

Here is how my top is attached

 

[mtnwhlr]

Yep just like mine but without the flat head screws.