Roll Bar question

[steve1973]

Will a Whitco OEM Roll Bar from a 1976 CJ5 fit in a 1973 CJ5 ? IS the width the same? IS the Height ok? Is the best way to get it in to clamp both ends in a band clamp?

 

[73CJ]

Use a ratchet strap to pull it in. Not sure of the 76 in a 73 though. My 73 sits up straight.

The 76 below has the kickers welded lower, but still sits up straight.




The 81 is at a angle.

 

[steve1973]

Thanks for the info. The 1976 one I aquired is slanted like the 1981. I'm going to give it a shot. The width seems correct Only concern is if the origional Whiteco Softtop will clear it heaight wise.

 

[Jason S]

If you have the whitco top and the '76 roll bar, set the roll bar in place with out drilling holes and install the top. That tshould tell you what you want to know before you go through the pain of installing the rollbar only to find it doesn't fit your top.

 

[Jessica]

What year is my roll bar? It's not slanted but the side bars meet the main bar a bit lower. I'm trying to replace the pads and I see one's that look like they would probably fit but they are for 76-80's cj's

 

[CTRCM BAMA]

If you put on side of the roll-bar in place on wheel well, believe it or not there is some play in roll bars, if you just give it a good shove, it will go into place. Do the reverse on getting it out. Good luck!

 

[Jessica]

I already managed to get mine out so I could paint under it (although I'm replacing the torx bolts with hex bolts becase it took 3 days of wrestling to get them out...still one left to drill out). Just wondering what year it is so I can order the right padding for it.

 

[Sasquach]

I already managed to get mine out so I could paint under it (although I'm replacing the torx bolts with hex bolts becase it took 3 days of wrestling to get them out...still one left to drill out). Just wondering what year it is so I can order the right padding for it.

Wait till you get to try and put those (new) bolts and spacers back in.
Lot's of fun to be had, smaller fingers are helpful.

 

[Jessica]

Yeah....the spacers. I've noticed some are threaded and some aren't. I was hoping to replace them all with not threaded ones as they seemed easier to get out. Is there a trick to getting them in there? Everything I try to do takes 8 times longer than it should because all of those torx bolts are pretty stripped or rusted. I have to replace the windshield frame and I'm not looking forward to trying to get those bolts out. Although the current frame is so rusted I may be able to just break it off around the bolts.

 

[121Sully]

Roll Bar Padding question

I just recently bought a 1973 CJ5 . I'm new to Jeep's. I've always wanted wanted one of the older CJ's. They just look cool. I've found that there are just mountains of parts out there for '76 and newer Jeeps but nit so much for the '75 and older crowd. Right now, I'm trying to find some roll bar pads. Will the pads for a '76 CJ5 fit the roll bar on a '73? In general, where is the best place to find parts for a '73 or can parts and accesories for a '76 be modified to fit a '73.

Thanks!