1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

New to Early CJ5 Meyer's Hard Top question.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by CableBob, Jan 4, 2009.

  1. CableBob

    CableBob Member

    [​IMG]

    Greetings to all,
    Been reading the information on this site for the past year and found out much about my Jeep but now I have a question and hoping someone can help.

    I own a 53' M38a1 and I found a hard top for it on Craigslist here in Santa Rosa, CA. My problem is the windshield doesn't fit. Can someone enlighten me on what windshield I'll need for the top to work? What I can gather is I need an early CJ 55-68 windshield. Or does someone have the instructions for this top? I have posted a photo of the top and my Jeep. Thanks Bob

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
    CableBob, Jan 4, 2009
    #1
  2. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Re: New to Earyl CJ5 Meyer's Hard Top question.

    Welcome ! I moved this to the proper section for ya.
    Someone with some experience with the hard tops will chime in I'm sure, but it looks to me like that top fits the W/S frame like it's supposed to. Fit and finish aren't strong points with these vehicles.;)
     
    Patrick, Jan 4, 2009
    #2
  3. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    sparky, Jan 4, 2009
    #3
  4. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    It's not a Meyer cab - I don't recognize it. Is it steel? Maybe we could say more if we had a few more pictures with a little more distant perspective.

    There's some info on the CJ-3B page, with a few pictures of the Meyer cab: http://www.film.queensu.ca/cJ3B/Hardtop.html
     
    timgr, Jan 4, 2009
    #4
  5. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    The big thing would be to see how the doors line up. I seem to remember at least one hartop model that had an overhang like the one shown in your pics.
     
    w3srl, Jan 4, 2009
    #5
  6. CableBob

    CableBob Member

    Thanks Patrick, Here is the top on another Jeep, this is an ad I found on-line, mine is in a garage and can not get a full shot but this is the exact one. It has a plastic top (fiberglass I assume) and the rest is metal. It fits every where but it hits the lip on the windshield. I understand I have a ex-military Jeep so there was no consideration for Hard Tops back then. There are no doors, have to find them later.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
    CableBob, Jan 4, 2009
    #6
  7. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I had the same top originally on my 5. You will need the metal plate to cover the overhang. Mine was rotted good when i had it and was a Pain to fix, or rather at the time it was. That is my favorite top available for the CJ5 :)
     
    DanStew, Jan 4, 2009
    #7
  8. CableBob

    CableBob Member

    I took a couple more images, the top doesn't seat down onto the bed, and the windshield needs to be leaned forward (had to unlatch the hold downs) to fit the top better which allow a gap between the dash and w/s see the light coming through? I just figure if the front lip seats down further the rest will seat down as well. Any input will help. I know there is a solution but not that familiar with this top. I can take more photos if needed. Thanks Bob
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    CableBob, Jan 4, 2009
    #8
  9. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Looks like you need to replace your cowl seal perhaps.

    Those are frequently in disrepair...
     
    sparky, Jan 4, 2009
    #9
  10. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Looking at the pic in the factory parts manual shows that the bumpers covering the wiper arms aren't installed-

    [​IMG]

    It's hard to see but it looks like the soft top channel is either missing as well or covered by the filler panel. There may also be some hardware on the inside specific to the military that is preventing the top from dropping all the way down.

    It's not an install manual but here's the relevant pages from the the parts manual, think of the endless hours of enjoyment you'll have identifying all the screws :twisted:

    http://tantel.ca/Images/Holder/factoy top parts_1.GIF

    http://tantel.ca/Images/Holder/factoy top parts_2.GIF

    http://tantel.ca/Images/Holder/factoy top parts_3.GIF

    http://tantel.ca/Images/Holder/factoy top parts_4.GIF

    http://tantel.ca/Images/Holder/factoy top parts_5.GIF

    http://tantel.ca/Images/Holder/factoy top parts_6.GIF

    http://tantel.ca/Images/Holder/factoy top parts_7.GIF


    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jan 4, 2009
    #10
  11. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Yeah looking at it now I'm wondering if the soft top channel and/ or the windshield rests are interfering. Can't tell in the pics.
     
    Patrick, Jan 4, 2009
    #11
  12. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Yea, it looks to me, from all the pics, like the wiper guards need to come off and the filler panel should be below the soft top channel. The channel would then actually be inside the cab. Appears that the hardtop is cut out for the wipers on the filler panel.
     
    wheelie, Jan 4, 2009
    #12
  13. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    By Golly, you're right, I never noticed the cutouts there. Looking at it further I'm guessing the hood latch will have to go as well, but it wouldn't work with the top on anyhow.

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jan 4, 2009
    #13
  14. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Cookie?????!!!!!!R)
     
    wheelie, Jan 4, 2009
    #14
  15. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    With Sprinkles on it R)

    H.:)
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jan 4, 2009
    #15
  16. CableBob

    CableBob Member

    Thanks Howard I'll take a look at all of this and put some thought in to it.... it looked cool when I bought it! Never thought about all the stuff that was missing... Bob
     
    CableBob, Jan 4, 2009
    #16
  17. CableBob

    CableBob Member

    Okay I think I got it... I need to take the hood latch off, remove the wiper guards and lean the top forward over the soft top channel and lower it back down so the channels is now under the top.... I'll give it a shot in the day light and let you know what happens... now need to find a few people that can help. It probably weighs 300 lbs.!

    OR, remove the windshield secure it to the top and then place the top with attached windshield on to the Jeep... I will let you know. Thanks for your help.
    Bob
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
    CableBob, Jan 4, 2009
    #17
  18. kiowamtp

    kiowamtp Member

    I think this is the strip you need


    [​IMG]
     
    kiowamtp, Jan 5, 2009
    #18
  19. CableBob

    CableBob Member

    Yep I think you are right! I took a better look at the top this morning. I think that piece is still on the top and all I need to do is take out all of the bolts,once I remove the w/s guards and the hood latch, so it will allow the top to seat down. Then put that piece back on and bolt it back in place.
    Thanks Kevin will let you know how it works out... Little too cold today!
    Bob
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2009
    CableBob, Jan 5, 2009
    #19