prototype fastback storm fly for my 61 CJ5

I had some old softtop components I bought on craigslist last fall. The only things I could salvage were the doors and the door surround panels. everything else was toast. I was toying with the idea of making something modular in an old 60/70s fastback style top. Something I could put on or strip down easily. This is what I came up with so far.

I surprised myself with my meager seamstress skills and my wife's Kenmore sewing machine! ? Window turned out terrific!
The digi camo 1000 denier cordura is military spec surplus and is waterproofed from the inside and DWR treated on the outside. Bought it on ebay cheap! The configuration utilizes my bikini top. It isn't completely waterproof because of the mating surfaces and the button holes for the bikini straps but in a pinch it will button it up a little.

What do you think! I was thinking I would go back and do this in a black cordura fabric.....but this digi camo is funky and it is growing on me

 

Here is a quick view through the front windshield and out the back window in the storm fly. You can see how the bikini straps lend some structure to the fastback fly.

I always liked the look of the old fast back tops.......I'll take this buggy out this weekend and get some better photos.

 

Looks good. It would be great if your jeep was OD. Black would be better.

 

Love that color.

The top looks great. I will have to make my own at some point. You give me confidence.

 

Yep the digi camo does not go with the Willys "Jade Tint" for sure! Ha..... someone is either going to love it or hate it. But it allowed me to figure out a pattern without going to the bank. These digi military surplus fabrics in this weight use to sell for +$30 a linier yard (54" to 60" wide off the roll) Now with the sequestration and the two wars finishing up there is a glut of this fabric around. I think I paid $5.75 per linier yard and its polyurethane waterproofed from the back and DWR treated from the facing. Gosh......you pay more for bologna. This was some cheap hobby tinkering over the last snow bound months And I didn't put a needle through a finger and I am still married

 

Great job! That cordura fabric is good stuff. That's what I use for my Willys sun shade; snaps to the roll cage. What is the window material and where did you source it? I'd like to make some snap on side panels for my Jeep for when the wind picks up and starts throwing dirt in our faces. The cordura sells for about $17/yard (x 5' wide) at my local fabric shop. It's probably available online somewhere, but I haven't looked.

 

Hi Mike.......the window is made from a Marine grade UV treated clear vinyl. You can buy that online from many Marine supply places or sail makers. It comes in several gauges. I bought the 20 Gauge for I think about $11 or $12 a linier yard. It is a common gauge used in canvas dodgers for sail boats and awnings etc. It is very flexible and easy to sew. I ordered this vinyl from DEFENDER in Connecticut.
There are a few Youtube videos that instruct how to sew in a vinyl window into a canvas fabric and what tapes to use which were extremely helpful. They use the same stuff in replacement convertible tops for classic cars.

 

Thanks!

 

Very nice. The window looks good. Did you have to use any specific needle for sewing either the fabric or window?

 

Great job on the mock up top. I really like the color of your jeep. Seems to be very close to Parkway green on tuxedo parks. Just a thought, you could add some velcro to your straps and to the fastback to prevent flapping...

 

That is neat. fb

 

Just a heavy duty #16 needle you can get from Walmart. I looked for a Heavier #18 that you could use on leather but could not find any....and it may have been overkill for this work.

 

Dauntless4me.....I have this thing so tensioned you could bounce a baby off of it. I was engineering as I go......got it to a point that going down a bouncy road as fast as this Hurricane engine could comfortably push it (about 50) nothing flew off or fluttered. I suppose if it was on a vehicle that could do 70 then that would require a whole different design. But you can add Velcro or additional stainless steel snaps where you need them. I tried to keep it so I could easily strip the fastback fly from under the Bikini top when not needed. Top edge of the fly is attached to the top tube of the roll bar with 5 Velcro straps I fabricated.....

The color is actually an original Willys color from 1961 used on their Station Wagon and trucks but never on the CJ5. The previous owner liked this Willys Jade Tint and used it when it had a complete restore +10 years ago. I like it....it is a bit richer and darker than the pale Foam Green they were using on the CJs.

 

Yes......a good outdoor/camping retailer will carry a product to seal the stitches and seams in tents called K-Kote or some similar product. It dries clear. Thought about using some on this project. I tried to keep the amount of seams to zero by wrapping with one piece of fabric ...and the window vinyl is secured with double sided "basting tape" or what some nautical people called "sealing tape" then it is finished by stitching through the fabric/basting tape/ clear vinyl and bias tape sandwich. That part seems to be pretty water tight

 

Cool. I always liked the fastback look.

 

I have a similar one on a Suzuki in my driveway. Loved the top...

 

aalison.....post some pictures so we can compare notes on these fastback designs

 

Here is mine on the old body. Still haven't put it back on yet, so if anyone needs any measurements let me know.