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Arctic Top?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by djcj3a, Aug 17, 2010.

  1. djcj3a

    djcj3a Member

    I was browsing craigslist, and ran into this top near me. It appears as though the jeep in the picture is a flatty, but they're claiming this top is for an m38. Isn't an m38 the military version of an ECJ5? Also, as shown in one of the pictures, the windshield frame that comes with it is off of a 3a. I've been wanting a top, do you think that this might possibly fit my 3a?

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pts/1902872850.html

    Please save me from my confusion,
    Thanks
     
  2. Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    The m38 is the military version of the cj3a. The m38a1 was the predecessor to the cj5
     
  3. djcj3a

    djcj3a Member

    Oh,
    Okay, that makes more sense. So would this fit my 3a?

    Thanks Again
     
  4. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Maybe Bill F can confirm or deny this but all the flatty arctic tops I've seen used a ws frame that bolted solid to the tub and was vertical, not angled back. Maybe the M-38 was different from the earlier ones I've seen...
     
  5. djcj3a

    djcj3a Member

    If that is the case, and this will in fact fit, is that a decent price for this? It obviously needs some TLC, but it does look usable.
     
  6. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    M38 Arctic top-

    [​IMG]

    H.
     
  7. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    An M-38 arctic top will fit any flatfender except a CJ-3B, I ran one like Howard posted for years on a CJ-2A.

    While they do keep things nice and toasty inside with a good heater installed, they also increase the noise level inside the cab exponentially. I couldn't believe how quite my Jeep was when I put my first soft-top on the Jeep!
     
  8. mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    There's some pictures on the CJ3B page where someone used a standard windshield and just moved the pivot points. One of them is a 3B.
     
  9. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    That is probably doable, depending on the installed distance between the top of the cowl and the bottom of the hardtop. For that kind of money I'd hope that all the parts were there, including the correct windshield frame. The W/S frame in the ad is for a soft top.

    I know that price is largely dependant on the seller's area, but I had two of these tops at one point and I had a heckuva time giving them away. I can't imagine that they are highly sought after in the San Francisco area.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2010
  10. djcj3a

    djcj3a Member

    Thanks for all of your advice. I think I'm just gonna hold of until I can afford a soft top. Seeing one actually installed on the 3a in the pics, not so sure I like the look of it. Plus, I don't think it will fit without some mods to my windshield frame that I just re-painted over the winter.
     
  11. electricontr

    electricontr Member

    There was also a post here probably a year ago where a fella used the std. 3a windshield and cut the top back to fit it. He also put the door hinges on the rear of the doors so it was a suicide door setup. His jeep was bright yellow. I have one of these tops but I always hated the look of a vertical windshield. They are definitely warmer than a cloth top and yes it's noisy inside. If you could figure out the windshield issue, you could have the insulated top in the winter and cloth in the summer. Yippie!!
     
  12. Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Arctic tops in good shape with glass intact, doors and a windshield with glass can bring close to a grand out here. Just the windshield can bring 200. Of course a beat up one with no glass and no windshield can be $50 of aluminum scrap also.
     
  13. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    I pass by a M38 every morning with a decent looking Artic top installed on it.
    can't get used to that straight-up-and-down windshield frame look and the short or straight windshield mounting arms.
     
  14. Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    I have never seen an m38 artic top sell for $1000. I had one and it took forever to sell for anything worth more than scrap. The most I have seen a good one go for is $400.
     
  15. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    <shrug>

    Depends entirely on the market I guess.
     
  16. Kman

    Kman Member

    Was that the one I bought, Bill :( Yes I paid $400. for our Arctic hardtop and I searched for a while for one and found another tree guy in the next town over with one and bought it. I need to do work on the doors but overall I am happy with it. It is missing the aluminum filler plates that went between the tub and W/S frame. The guy I bought it from swears they weren't on the M38 he bought at auction.
     
  17. Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    I know I sold one for about $400 to someone in VT. Most m38 guys hate them, if they get one with a jeep would gladly sell it for whatever is offered.
     
  18. Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    It's the market, but also condition. With a new soft top now at $800, it isn't a stretch to get up there with a hardtop that is really nice. I get $300 just for a nice windshield with glass.