Soft Top Woes

[Jason S]

I have to preface this with a little back ground first:

My 76 CJ5 needs a top. The tub only has the hardware installed for the bestop bikini. I was all set to buy a bestop supertop for it. While shopping around for the best price, I happened across an ebay auction for the front half (w/ doors and hardware) of whitco's jeep poncho/fastback soft top. Instantly I was sold, why be the same when you can be different. Right? So began my search for the fastback part of the setup. To shorten what will undoubtedly be a long story, I found the piece in the same color as the top, Nutmeg. I like nutmeg and yellow combination. Knowing that the fastback piece was available outside of an ebay auction, I proceed to bid on and win the front half. Last night the auction finished and I won (it's easy when no one else bids). Today I gave Mike over at AustinJeeps.com a call. He had the back and I intended to finalize the purchase of that piece. This is where the woe starts and my problems begin. The nutmeg colored piece that Mike had thought was for a CJ5 was actually for a 7. All he has for a 5 is in white.

After several hours searching the internet, I realize that my options are somewhat Limited and are:
1. find a drawing with measurements
2. find one to use as a pattern
3. approximate measurements after installing the front
4. let a marine upholstry shop approximate measurements

Honestly though, all options end at some sort of upholstry shop making a custom fastback piece for this top. I think options 1 and 2 will save me some time and maybe money getting this piece made. I thought about modifying a windjammer to work with the front section until I can get the back piece.

If any one has this piece and can make a drawing with measurements for me, or can point me in the direction of someone who can or a shop who has replicated this piece before, I would really appreciate it. I would also be grateful for any thoughts on things I might have overlooked.

I know the road to different can be rocky. I sometimes forget just how rocky it can be, and I know this is far from its worst.

 

[Old Dog]

Maybe a good die shop could die the white one to match.:dunno:

 

[SrBeaver]

Most parts store carry vinyl paint, I just did my tan uppers in flat black and turned out excellent. I'll put some pics up when I get home. Not sure if they have the right color for what you need thought. But It's a cheap fix if they do.

 

[IOPort51]

I think the white would grow on you after a while.

I have to preface this with a little back ground first:

My 76 CJ5 needs a top. The tub only has the hardware installed for the bestop bikini. I was all set to buy a bestop supertop for it. While shopping around for the best price, I happened across an ebay auction for the front half (w/ doors and hardware) of whitco's jeep poncho/fastback soft top. Instantly I was sold, why be the same when you can be different. Right? So began my search for the fastback part of the setup. To shorten what will undoubtedly be a long story, I found the piece in the same color as the top, Nutmeg. I like nutmeg and yellow combination. Knowing that the fastback piece was available outside of an ebay auction, I proceed to bid on and win the front half. Last night the auction finished and I won (it's easy when no one else bids). Today I gave Mike over at AustinJeeps.com a call. He had the back and I intended to finalize the purchase of that piece. This is where the woe starts and my problems begin. The nutmeg colored piece that Mike had thought was for a CJ5 was actually for a 7. All he has for a 5 is in white.

After several hours searching the internet, I realize that my options are somewhat Limited and are:
1. find a drawing with measurements
2. find one to use as a pattern
3. approximate measurements after installing the front
4. let a marine upholstry shop approximate measurements

Honestly though, all options end at some sort of upholstry shop making a custom fastback piece for this top. I think options 1 and 2 will save me some time and maybe money getting this piece made. I thought about modifying a windjammer to work with the front section until I can get the back piece.

If any one has this piece and can make a drawing with measurements for me, or can point me in the direction of someone who can or a shop who has replicated this piece before, I would really appreciate it. I would also be grateful for any thoughts on things I might have overlooked.

I know the road to different can be rocky. I sometimes forget just how rocky it can be, and I know this is far from its worst.

 

[Jason S]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, re-coloring the white piece never crossed my mind. Though, I had considered purchasing it and using it to make a pattern, and selling it after I was done.

IO: I'm not against white as a top color, I'm just not too keen on a combination white and tan top.

 

[Jason S]

Well, just thought I'd share an update. Actually there isn't much to update. I've spent countless hours searching forums and websites trying to find a lead. So far I've found nothing but dead ends. I've decided to wait until the half I bought arrives and I can get it installed befreo I make a decision on how I will proceed. I anticipate that I will make or have made a set of patterns for both the front and the back, just in case I need to replace one or the other.

I haven't had too much time to stay bummed about how the deal worked out because I identified a leaky brake master cylinder and before I could get that straightened out, I lost a couple days due to a fever causing me to feel a bit under the weather. The fever is gone now and I've gone to sea feeling worse (though many of those instances were alcohol induced:booze, so it's time got get back to work on the jeep and get her butttoned up and back on the road. The biggest obstacle to that is the front axle, but only because I haven't touched it yet.

Time to get back to work. It's funny how a 30 y/o bucket of bolts that is based on 60 or 70 y/o tech can motivate me more than a 2 y/o car with some far more recent tech. :grinjeep: