Windshield frame swap

Quick Question, search yielded no answer.
Can an '81 CJ 5 windshield frame be fitted onto a '74 CJ 5?

 

Yes but it requires a later model top and hinges

 

I have the complete unit, sans glass but with mirrors and hinges.
My Jeep has no top-a replacement later model top (and doors) will otherwise fit?
I know my '74 CJ 5 windshield will not fit, need a '76 to '86 glass.

Second question, I want to obtain a hardtop. I'm guessing that the later ones are a better bet for availability?
Was there a factory ht available for the 3rd gen fivers?

 

No factory hard top. Approved ones yes. The top that would fit will be for a 76 and up. As is the glass

 

This topic has been covered again and again in earlier posts - https://www.google.com/search?q=site:earlycj5.net+late+windshield+on+early+CJ-5&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

NB it's not a bolt-on conversion ... but not difficult.

Re the hard top, I'd say there was a factory hard top - the Meyer steel cab could be delivered with the Jeep and included on the option list. "Jeep Approved Special Equipment." The dealership where I worked never ordered Jeeps with tops, because the factory was quite sloppy about installation. And I suppose it was easier to sell the Jeeps equipped with the type of top that the customer wanted.

You'd definitely need a cab for a '76 or later - a soft top would be a lot simpler.

 

Curious, my search yielded zip. Must've used wrong the terms...
btw are the hood hinges on a '74 repairable? The pin rusted through...took a grinder to the ends, noted a small tack weld in the groove, and tried to hammer the "loose" side with a punch. Might be rusted-but how to remove the fixed side of pin?

 

Grind the welded end and heat the hinge side use a bfh and a punch

 

I don't know of anyone that has repaired them.

Anything that was made can be repaired or duplicated with enough time, materials, equipment, skill and motivation.

Have a drill press? I'd try drilling the pin out... but replacement hinges should be easy to source. Hinges from a later model may be ok.

 

Yeah, looking at it it appears to be designed as throw away. I thought of simply drilling a quarter inch hole in center of both halves
and inserting tool steel pin...anyway, may be installing a replacement hood, which I'm told has good hinges, and less rust than mine.

Windshield installed easily, and the new rake looks good! Plus, two mirrors!
BTW does the intermediate w/s wiper motor and hardware work with the later model frame?

OK, tried to post image...apparently i either dont know how or dont have permission...any ideas?
Does one need to be a sponsor, or have certain number of posts?

 

The forum does not have any storage to host your pictures. Storage costs money, and this site is run entirely by volunteers and donations. So, you need to store your pictures on another host and hot link them to the site. Or just put a link to them that we can click through.

Here's a post on another forum about how to hot link from ImageShack - http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1152

 

Thanks! Im no longer a (picture) virgin LOL
No cowl gasket yet, so its a bit more raked.
I like the look of the narrower late frame which also permits more choices in tops and doors.
Trying to determine if the intermediate wiper hardware will reinstall...
The bottom door mount remains the same?

 

I believe the linkage lengths are different. I recall there was someone selling the later linkage that had been shortened and welded to work with the older windshield design. I used a replacement motor from a later windshield on my intermediate windshield... I recall I had to take it apart to remove a bracket, so missing the bracket you may not be able to go the other way.

Bottom door mount? You mean the hole in the body? Don't know.

 

There are actually far more hardtops available for the 55-75 windshield angle then the later from 76-81. Most of the hardtops from 76-81 are from Acme and have terrible fitment for the most part.