Soft Top Extension?

Hello and thanks for taking time to read this.

I just bought a 1970 CJ5, it had been in a barn for decades, am going through the mechanicals, body is rusty, the top had been off it for who knows how long, a mouse ate a hole through the roof of the top.

My question is, while a new top is the solution, that's not at the top of my list of things to do, it is winter, and I have the Jeep running, and would like ( when it warms up outside a bit ) to take the Jeep out and see how it drives. I cleaned the soft top, applied mineral oil to it, and have it on the Jeep in the garage, no surprise the top is well short of snapping to the body.
Does anyone make an extension? A band that has the snap grommets in the correct locations with the snaps male and female so that I could fill in the gap between the body and top?

Again, a new top is the solution, so is assembling on a warm sunny day, I'm just trying to make a "Cooter" repair right now.

PS any other suggestions for an interim remedy welcomed!

 

If it's black, there is nothing like the sun to get it to go. Without that, I recently got my white top on in a cold garage by putting a propane buddy heater inside (carefully), moving it around, side to side, and after it was about 130 degress in there, it snapped on. I don't know of anyone besides a custom upholsterer that would make extensions. I have had some minor holes fixed and windows replaced by a local boat canvas guy with a big sewing machine.

 

Thanks Tim-
It's 2"-2.5" short, that top is decades old, I had the garage 75+ degrees which I know could have been warmer but it was minus 5 outside. This top is past it's useful life, I just want to fill in the gap for some test drives, I think I might just try to make something myself, was just curious to see if there was an already made solution.

Merry Christmas!

 

I wouldn't write off getting the old top to pull down. Try to get the temp up on the inside to the 80-90 degree range. A couple of milk house heaters will probably get that job done if you are already in a warm garage.

 

My last soft top on the ‘59-5 would shrink a little more each year. Along with heat I resorted to making two cinches made from clothesline rope, one on each side on the rear. I’d cinch them down from the rear top bow to the bikini top footman’s loops nice and tight. Let it sit in the warmth, come back a while later, carefully cinch them some more, rinse and repeat until I could snap the top in place. Did this for probably 12 years with success. I always left the cinches in place. Very few people noticed them.
It saved a top that otherwise would not be able to be installed.

 

Another idea if it's just temporary, you could make extensions with male and female snaps. Then no sewing required. And you could do it with canvas (easy to source). The bottom female snaps would mate with the body snaps, the top male snaps would go to the female snaps on the top. I have always wanted a top similar to an A1 top with the cinch straps on the outside. And I am thinking that once I stretch my 3B body, and a stock top no longer fits, I may make one, and use this system for cinching. I also like the removable sides.

 

After having a canvas military top, I would never go back to vinyl. And with the sides and doors removed it makes a great summer top. YMMV.

 

Welcome from Michigan, Just take your time, The Sun is your best help, just keep stretching it a little at a time, lay it on warm cement in the sun until it gets hot enough to work with, and keep pulling it into shape. Snap it on the frame and keep putting pressure on it to go into shape. I don't know how old my top is, but my Jeep has been in my friends and family for over 30 years. Good Luck.

 

"Another idea if it's just temporary, you could make extensions with male and female snaps. Then no sewing required. And you could do it with canvas (easy to source). The bottom female snaps would mate with the body snaps, the top male snaps would go to the female snaps on the top. I have always wanted a top similar to an A1 top with the cinch straps on the outside. And I am thinking that once I stretch my 3B body, and a stock top no longer fits, I may make one, and use this system for cinching. I also like the removable sides."

Thanks Tim, that's what I had in mind, no stitching, just reciprocal snaps on the extension. This top is pretty far gone, mouse hole in roof, side curtains yellow and split, I just want to get through the winter with it.

Do you happen to know the snap callout? The male side mic's at .400" at engagement. I can see if McmasterCarr or another hardware site has them, the upcharge at a Jeep source is substantial.

 

I get all my canvas (military and civilian) hardware from Northwest Tarp and Canvas. Great ebay store. They have everything you will ever need, very reasonable. And I don't recall needing a snap size, I think a snap is a snap, and the ones they sell are the same size we all use and will mate to your existing ones. And I even got the fantastic Hoover Press and Snap tool from them. It will change your life.
https://www.ebay.com/str/northwesttarpandcanvas?_trksid=p2380057.m570.l113337

 

i believe they are 3/8 snaps. I have used these with good results Amazon.com: Canvas Snap Kit,CENOZ Marine Grade Stainless Steel Snaps,Screw Snaps,Boat Cover Snaps,Carpet snap kit with Setting Tool for Boat Cover Furniture (black-354PCS) : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

 

Thank you timsresort and sterlclan!

 

Ayuh,.... Alittle off topic, but this, ^^^, is how I make my summer pants, fit my winter body,...... button extenders,cut outa worn out pants,.....

 

If you do decide to go the heater route, buy some tarp clips, put them on the end you want to stretch, and tie them to something nearby under tension, Keep taking out the slack as the material creeps out.

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Tarp...1_5?keywords=Tarp+Clips&qid=1672157635&sr=8-5