67 cj5 bestop supertop installation help

i am wondering if anyone has installed one of these? the question i have is about the dimension from top of windshield frame to back of body, it is supposed to be 69 1/2 inches this is not all that easy to achieve. how critical have you guys found this measurement to be? thanks in advance

 

When I did mine, I only got it within about a half in. and it worked fine. I did have to adjust the the windshield clamps a little bit to get it about 69 ins.

 

did you have to use shims? was there a gap between your windshield frame and body?

 

it's brand new rubber from 4wd hardware, i also thought that would do the trick but no luck. i had a big gap and a loose windshield, ended up using the old and new rubber together, but it seems that shouldn't be necessary to get the height...kinda not sure about this whole thing.

 

Bestop does say to use wedges if you're too short. But if you're w/in an inch it's probably allright. I got mine to w/in a 1/2" and called it good. Even w/ the extra slack it still took a huge effort to get to the first hole on the bracket. After a couple of weeks I could make the second hole but no more.:v6:

 

I had the opposite problem. I had a new gasket under my windshiel and my distance was too long, from the top of the windshield to the back, so I had to adjust the clamps to pull the windshield down more to shorten the distance.

 

thanks for all the help, it sounds like everyone has had the same type of issues.

 

Sounds like a bad fitting top:evil: Kayline ware are you?

 

just out of curiosity where would you get a kayline top? are they still available?

 

You can't, unless someone has old stock on a shelf some where.:evil: I got one for my 3b about 10 years ago and love it, still like new.

 

Yea, I just got a Bestop, used, and while it's been quite sometime since I had a top on my JEEP, I don't remember it being this difficult to install. Got a little yesterday while trying to get it on the JEEP and eventually had to walk away. I still have my old hardware from years ago and think I might try to use it instead of the new stuff. Don't know if it'll werk but I may try it. Much simplier though, not as pretty.

 

the most frustrating part for me was just trying to get the proper distance between windshield and body, and wondering if i was the only one that was having this problem. on the flip side of this it should make for a nice fitting top, just hoping it will warm up a little more so i can actually put the top on.

 

I did mine in the fall ... barely 60° and full cloud cover. My windshield-body distance was too short too but I didn't bother with it at all. I figured I wasn't going to be able to get the vinyl to stretch anyway. All that happens is that the doors will not sit behind the windshield frame and seal properly. I'll adjust when it gets warm but for now it's a whale of a lot better than no top.
As far as fit, finish, etc, I find the Supertop to be great in all respects.

 

just an update on my top progress, was putting the bows and stuff in and of the vertical rails by where the door strike is at is 1 1/4" shorter than the other side...... what a drag!

 

i got it on.R)