Replica Whitco soft top frame

[MadCJ95]

Would anyone here be interested in buying a Whitco Replica hardware kit?
While I mostly lurk on here while slowly collecting parts for my Cj, and the other day I scored a original Whitco frame and doors for a CJ7 . After getting the pieces home, I looked at how simple the frame really is and it got me thinking; why hasn't anyone replicated this hardware? Especially since factory-esque restorations seem popular, bestop has their heritage tops available in classic colors, and to get some these parts from Austin jeeps costs an arm and a leg
I've already modeled most of the pieces in CAD and looked into how to manufacture the bows, and the plastic windshield bits. I only need to finish modeling some other pieces to have a complete set.
What I'm looking for is some interest; I know some local machine shops and have enough tools here to complete a new replica set with 100% American made steel and parts. If I took the time to complete the modeling and put together a package, would anyone be interested? The finished product would include the bows, windshield rails, door frames, bow covers, rubber caps, body tub snaps and all other miscellaneous hardware. All you would need is one of the replace a top kits to complete the set, and BOOM! one Whitco replica top that classic Jeep Cj style!


Let me know who would be interested, and let me know what you think!
I greatly appreciate and input

 

[tinhorn]

I'm a half-cab guy myself, but I suggest going for it. Now if you come up with a ragtop half-cab, you'll have a new friend for life.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

What are you going to use for OEM like door handles?
LG

 

[MadCJ95]

What are you going to use for OEM like door handles?
LG

For the door handles I've been trying to devise a way to have then CNC'd, but this may be overkill. I will use the originals to make molds and form them out of fiberglass.

Once I get a bit more time, I will post views of some of the CAD stuff to try and gauge more interest...

 

[MadCJ95]

Here are the examples of the CAD drawings I have completed to date, by Monday I will start working with local machinists to see what it will cost to have theses made. I'm going to ask around on other boards as well, but this will be my "main" thread.





-J Maddy

 

[Lumpy Grits]

For the door handles I've been trying to devise a way to have then CNC'd, but this may be overkill. I will use the originals to make molds and form them out of fiberglass.

Once I get a bit more time, I will post views of some of the CAD stuff to try and gauge more interest...

You mean a f'glass filled polymer like some gunstocks are?
The bows are easy as they are made from 1/2" EMT tubing.

LG

 

[Petescj]

I see Whitco tops for sale alot. Its always the same old story , no harware included. Either that or its missing pieces. I think your on to something if you can do it for Scrambler 1/2 and full tops as well. People are always looking for pieces if not the full frames altogether. I hope its cost effective cause I believe the market is there. Good luck and I'll keep watching.

 

[007]

I'd be interested I think... I've never shopped for OEM tops because they never had frames. I've ran across a few by accident, but of course - no tops.

Door frames are everywhere, new and used though it seems.

 

[MadCJ95]

I see Whitco tops for sale alot. Its always the same old story , no harware included. Either that or its missing pieces. I think your on to something if you can do it for Scrambler 1/2 and full tops as well. People are always looking for pieces if not the full frames altogether. I hope its cost effective cause I believe the market is there. Good luck and I'll keep watching.

I did some searching and discovered from an old scrambler forum thread that the CJ7 and CJ8 bows had the same part number, so this may be feasible for the full top. For the half top, The hardware is very similar except for the bows; a frame from square tube is used instead of round ones. To complete this I would need to find someone nearby with an original half top so I could pull dimensions and take a copious amount of pictures.

For the door handles; after doing some research on this, I think the best method will be injection molding. I have found a few DIY sites with tutorials on how to build your own. However, most of these are for molding small items about the size of a matchbox car. To make the designs work for the handles would take some time since they have a much larger volume. The alternative is to make my own mold and get a quote from some local injection molding companies in Denver, but this will probably twice as expensive. The other option is to make something work from simplified metal handles that could be machined. This would take much less time to reverse engineer and would be more durable in the long run. But they wouldn't be true to the original. Still working on this one.

I should have some preliminary pricing soon, perhaps in a week or two. Working full time, going to college and keeping up with my Jeeps kicking my rear! haha

 

[Petescj]

I'd be interested I think... I've never shopped for OEM tops because they never had frames. I've ran across a few by accident, but of course - no tops.

Door frames are everywhere, new and used though it seems.

Your Cj would look great with an OEM top.

I did some searching and discovered from an old scrambler forum thread that the CJ7 and CJ8 bows had the same part number, so this may be feasible for the full top. For the half top, The hardware is very similar except for the bows; a frame from square tube is used instead of round ones. To complete this I would need to find someone nearby with an original half top so I could pull dimensions and take a copious amount of pictures.

For the door handles; after doing some research on this, I think the best method will be injection molding. I have found a few DIY sites with tutorials on how to build your own. However, most of these are for molding small items about the size of a matchbox car. To make the designs work for the handles would take some time since they have a much larger volume. The alternative is to make my own mold and get a quote from some local injection molding companies in Denver, but this will probably twice as expensive. The other option is to make something work from simplified metal handles that could be machined. This would take much less time to reverse engineer and would be more durable in the long run. But they wouldn't be true to the original. Still working on this one.

I should have some preliminary pricing soon, perhaps in a week or two. Working full time, going to college and keeping up with my Jeeps kicking my rear! haha

When you come up with a price for complete framework for a full CJ8 top pm me or post here.

 

[tljones210]

I know this is old, but thought I would see if anything ever came of this? I just got done restoring my first car, an 85 CJ7 Laredo . Almost all original, and now since I have spent so much, replacing the top doesn't seem so crazy. I put a supertop on when I first purchased at 15, when I was getting it drivable, and of course got rid of the hardware bc the top was shot. With a whitco replica tan "replace-a-top" at $860 from Collins, and $1100 for the hardware from Austin Jeeps, that just seems ridiculous. Especially bc it will prob have the top on a handful of days. SO, hoping someone else fixed my problem???

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Well-since the OP hasn't be 'on', in over 2+ yrs.
Don't bet on ever see'n anything new........
LG

 

[Belizean]

Well-since the OP hasn't be 'on', in over 2+ yrs.
Don't bet on ever see'n anything new........
LG

Maybe one of the moderators has the OPs contact info.

 

[shum8]

Maybe one of the moderators has the OPs contact info.

I'm bettin it wouldn't be a huge deal to fab up the replacement hardware. As for the door handle - there is a company selling molds and glass fill polymer resin to cast your own AR15 lower receivers. Make a silicone mold of the door handles, add resin, and boom - new door handles....

 

[Posi]

With a whitco replica tan "replace-a-top" at $860 from Collins, and $1100 for the hardware from Austin Jeeps, that just seems ridiculous. Especially bc it will prob have the top on a handful of days. SO, hoping someone else fixed my problem???

Hmmm, maybe I should put my original soft top hardware up for sale.

 

[007]

I’m astonished these aren’t available at every parts outlet for $AMC 150 or so.


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[shum8]

I’m astonished these aren’t available at every parts outlet for $AMC 150 or so.


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No kiddin. Some sheet steel and conduit would do in a pinch....


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