Whitco Top Question

[007]

Bought a Whitco soft top for my Jeep and have a question. I forget how the doors latch on a 77. Was there a metal flange that bolted to the tub or did the handle just latch onto and against the inside of the tub?

Any pics?

 

[Petescj]

Bought a Whitco soft top for my Jeep and have a question. I forget how the doors latch on a 77. Was there a metal flange that bolted to the tub or did the handle just latch onto and against the inside of the tub?

Any pics?

I'm Pretty sure there's a flange. Not easy to find either. Pm Elwood Blues. I think he has pictures of them. Did you get the one I sent you the link for?

 

[007]

I'm Pretty sure there's a flange. Not easy to find either. Pm Elwood Blues. I think he has pictures of them. Did you get the one I sent you the link for?

Thank you, I sent him a PM. Yes, that's the one. Horrible timing but could not pass it up, they're just not out there. Cannot thank you enough for that tip. I owe you!

 

[Petescj]

Thank you, I sent him a PM. Yes, that's the one. Horrible timing but could not pass it up, they're just not out there. Cannot thank you enough for that tip. I owe you!

Sorry about that but I hadn't seen one in that condition for a long time. I was just glad you grabbed it.

 

[007]

Ha! I really appreciate it though, I really do.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Yes to the metal flange for the 2 bows. The doors latch to a vertical bar that is part of the tops hardware.
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/cj-5-soft-top-whitco-hardware-15572/

See post #7
CJ7 Original Soft Top Hardware - JeepForum.com

LG

 

[007]

I found this pic and cut it up. Perhaps this is how it works?

Why do I remember this silly metal paddle that used to stick out near the edge of the seat from my dad's 79?


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[Lumpy Grits]

Never seen that-My OEM Whitco had a cut-out on the vertical post to clear the latch's 'paw'.
LG

 

[Petescj]

There's a member on here that had a bunch of tops and hardware. Pm or email Busted Knuckles. I'm Pretty sure he'll have it. If not let me know and I'll dig around.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

FWIW: The 2 'bows' are made from 1/2" EMT tubing, that you can buy anywhere.
The holy-grail is finding OEM replacement right and left side 'twist' handles/latches and springs.
LG

 

[007]

I think I'm even more confused now. Obviously the picture that I have was option at some point in time. Believe this orange jeep is a 76. My dad's jeep was a 79 and for some reason I remember it having some sort of a paddle right by the seats. I drew in what I remember in the picture below.

Does anyone else have any recollection of this? If not how else would original Whitco door latch?


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[Lumpy Grits]

007-IIRCThat plate was for hard tops and aftermarket doors/tops.
OEM, Whitco door latches were configured as in the exploded views I posted.
LG

 

[007]

Ah - well that makes some sense then...hadn't considered dad's Jeep having those paddles without a hardtop, but it makes sense they'd put them on all of them.

So what I'm seeing here is that my pics and your diagram and the pic below are accurate for soft door latching...

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[steve1973]

The original Whitco top on my 73 has the metal plate like in your picture.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

007-Yes.
That picture is what my Whitco and replacement Best-Top have.
LG