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Meyers Hardtop On Cj5

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Paul Munson, Jan 30, 2020.

  1. Jan 30, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    Now that I have the body temporarily mounted in place I have gotten sidetracked on another task. A buddy put the bug in my ear on installing overdrive which led me on a hunt. I did happen to find a one on a jeep that a person was parting out. With it came a handful of other nice parts. One of the other perks was a hardtop that needs some work.
    The problem I am having is figuring out the hinges situation with the doors. It is a Meyers hardtop and I have found about 4 pictures of Jeeps that have this style but none with a closeup around the hinge. I have put up a couple pictures showing what I have in hopes that someone has this style and could share how the doors are mounted. 20200130_071758.jpg 20200130_071833.jpg 20200130_071853.jpg 20200130_071957.jpg 20200130_072010.jpg 20200130_072021.jpg
     
  2. Jan 30, 2020
    Bigdaddy13

    Bigdaddy13 Member

    So.Cal
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    The way you're holding the hinges up to the body seems pretty self-explanatory to me? I guess I'm wondering what your specific question is?
     
  3. Jan 30, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    When I hold that up to the jeep the hinge looks like it could go on the inner lip of the body but that seams to push the door back to far. Where I have it held against the jeep in the picture the return on the backside of the hinge in the 5th picture down does not wrap around anything. It looks like it might be meant to wrap around the inner lip of the door opening. It's not that I cannot figure out a way to make it work. It's more of the fact I would like to see one installed correctly before I go start drilling holes. there is something about the hinge that just don't look right to me, like it might have been modified or something. I have attached another photo of one I found off the net but again, looking at this one who knows what is right. img5.jpg
     
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  4. Jan 30, 2020
    Bigdaddy13

    Bigdaddy13 Member

    So.Cal
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    Got it, I see.
    For one thing, that's the first I've seen with hinges like that. My top had two large "door hinges" rather than the "piano hinge" that yours does.
     
  5. Jan 30, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I would attach the hinge to the door and hold the door in place where it should be. The windshield seems like it doesn't lean far enough back. Get someone to help you so you can eyeball what looks right. I think you're holding the hinge piece too far back maybe?
     
  6. Jan 30, 2020
    Bigdaddy13

    Bigdaddy13 Member

    So.Cal
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    Looking at your pictures again. could it be that the hinge you are holding is attached to a piece of Jeep? Meaning, can you separate the hinge from the chunk of metal that fits in the door pocket? Then just attach the hinge to the door, align with the striker and then drill your attachment holes into the jeep?
     
  7. Jan 30, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    You might be right. There is a slotted track on the window frame. You can just see a piece of it in the picture. That is holding me back for sure. What is strange to me is the hinge in the picture I found of the net doesn't seem to show any type of hing fastened to the outside of the body but then again it is hard to tell for sure. When I have held the door up to the opening it is telling me that I need to lean the window forward a little more if I were to keep the door recessed in to the second lip on the opening of the body. It is very confusing and as luck would have it the top I get doesn't seem to be a popular one. I think it was earlier than the more common style with the ribs on the door.

    I had the same situation with the overdrive that came from the same donor. Rather than Warn or Saturn it was the Husky which has very little information on the net. The only saving grace there is the fact that it is very similar to Warn.
     
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  8. Jan 30, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    You could be right as well. I though of that. This is where photo's of the real deal installed on another Jeep would clear up all confusion.
     
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  9. Jan 30, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Take that slotted part that you referred to off. It's for a soft top so you don't need it on there.
     
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  10. Jan 30, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    I will do that and see how well it fits if I just push it up as tight as the hinge will allow with me adjust the window angle to see what seems to look best.
     
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  11. Jan 31, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    After messing with it last night I think this is what I am going to have to go with. I think the reason the backside of the hinge returns is to hold a space that is needed for the dash panel which is about 1/4" or so thick. The only way the upper area of the door makes sense to me is if I lean the window forward for the top part of the door to clear. I seems like it would be held in place by screws at the front edge of the top. Now I need to work on the dents and bent metal on this thing. That and a little welding on the doors where they are tore up a little at the bottom. Hopefully I can bring this thing back to life. 20200130_183109.jpg 20200130_183120.jpg 20200130_183131.jpg
     
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  12. Jan 31, 2020
    Bigdaddy13

    Bigdaddy13 Member

    So.Cal
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    Nice work, Paul!
     
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  13. Jan 31, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It does look like it's pretty close to being correct, I think you're getting there! In case you don't know it, the screws for the windshield hinge frame should be flathead Phillips and not hex head bolts. As far as the door/windshield angle it seems to me the door should be mounted just a bit lower maybe? Or is that just how the hinge was already mounted going by previous screw holes?
     
  14. Jan 31, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    On this jeep there was no hardtop with it when I bought it but you would think that it must have at some time with all the different holes in the perimeter of the door and body. I am going to fine tune the location once I get some of the dings and dents out of the doors and top. This way I should be able to get everything a little tighter. It was out in a snowbank when I got it so it hasn't seen much love lately. The windshield that you see in the pictures was on my jeep when I bought it. I am getting to the point of taking a closer look at it to determine if it can be brought back to life or find a replacement. The rust might be too much along the bottom and around the window. For now it makes a good place holder for getting things lined up.
     
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  15. Feb 7, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    So the sides of the Meyers top are steel. The doors, top and rear gate are aluminum. With the steel being rusted out in some spots and channels coming loose I have decided that I will make the sides new. It is relatively easy considering all the angles and channels are added on. There is only a radius corner I need to form and a couple breaks on each end of the panel. I have attached some pictures of a small mockup I made to see if this was going to work for me.

    My question is this. Did they ever make fully aluminum tops? Meaning no steel on the side panels. I am considering going that route but in the back of my mind I think there must have been some reason for using steel in this location. There is a hat channel running horizontally under the window on the inside for a stiffener so I would not think it would be too flimsy if I used a good gauge aluminum. The side panel is only 26 3/4" tall. Any feedback is appreciated. 20200207_151045.jpg 20200207_151053.jpg
     
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  16. Feb 8, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    Just my input, if you use the correct gauge aluminium, it will be fine. I would suspect the steel was used to keep costs down.
     
  17. Feb 8, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I agree, maybe extra bracing too in certain areas that could be subject to stress from use, flexing, etc.
     
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  18. Feb 9, 2020
    BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    Northern Virginia
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    My hardtop is all aluminum and is similar in design to yours, but not identical. I say go for it. It should work fine.

    Mike
     
  19. Feb 9, 2020
    Paul Munson

    Paul Munson New Member

    Minnesota
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    I measured up the parts Friday. Soon as the sheet metal comes in I will start forming. I will post some pictures as I get these sides made up.
     
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