Measuring for a Soft top

OK, so I have a '67 CJ, the windshield is from a YJ, so it leans back.

I was fully expecting to get a measurement for a soft top, which is back of windshield to rear of tub of 67.5", which is for a '76-83 CJ5. Low and behold, mine measures at 69.5" which is for a 55-75 CJ5. Shouldn't my leaned back windshield mean I need a later version top?


This confounds me, as my hard top is not for an early CJ5, but a later version......

Early CJ5 have a nearly vertical windshield right?

So, I can't quite figure this out, how does a later steel top fit, but the measurement for a soft tip means an earlier top will fit? I'm cornfused?

Here' some pics of the Jeep to show the windshield lean...





The windshield is clearly not vertical like I've seen in most early CJ5's.......

 

Early CJ windshields aren't vertical, the windshield is at an angle matching the body line on the cowl just below the windshield.
Later CJ's lean back at a greater angle.
Do a google image search and you'll see what I mean.
The interesting thing about yours is it appears to be a late model windshield frame (bottom wipers with the motor on the inside)
but it's at the angle of an early....

BTW, Nice looking CJ!

 

How about some close up pics of the sides of your windshield frame and also the inside.
I think you might have a late windshield that's been modified to work with an early top...

 

Not to get off subject, but is that a embossed "Jeep" on the side of the hood?

 

Doug gave the answer about the correct rake of the windshield on an Early CJ5. , at least up through the mid '70s.
The windshield frame should be at exactly the same angle as the base hinge on the cowl. It looks like yours is very close, if not correct.
-Donny

 

The windshield frame is off a YJ ('87-95).

Well I'm betting based on the comments regarding the angle, the set up matches that of an early CJ5, and that I was told incorrectly regarding the hard top, that it is for an ECJ5, and not a later CJ5. Add with that the measurement set at 69.5" matches what should be that for a ECJ5. (windshield frame to rear lip of tub.

So, it looks like I'll be picking up a soft top some time soon, and I know what to look for.

Thanks for everyone's input, its appreciated.

 

yes, yes it is, after some fab work...

 

Does your windshield frame base rest flush against the body on the inside, where the W/S frame meets the body? Just wondering as the frame could be held up at the angle of an ECJ5 by being bolted to the top and not resting flush against the body.

 

good looking jeep....

 

Yep its sitting flush on the inside.

 

Isn't the top of the w/frame too narrow for the ecj5 soft top? Will probably make the door flap hang too low..

 

That's why I wanted to see a close up of the sides of the windshield frame. Looks like metal has been added to make up the difference.
Notice the different angles between the vertical side of the frame and the glass?

 

Top = Late
Bottom = Early

Trim Panels:

 

See that's my original point, my Meyer top has the later windshield filler pieces.....

At the end of the day, it looks like measuring for the top all comes down to length from the top of the windshield frame to the rear of the tub. Later CJ5's measure 67.5", early ones measure 69.5"

My measurement is 69.5" which means early top. At least that what Bestop tells me.....

 

Well, I'll remove the hard top filler pieces. The soft top comes with a channel that screws to the top of the windshield frame. I'm assuming the width will be close enough, all these tubs, are the same width, CJ5, CJ7, and YJ.