Windshield Swap Flat Top To Curved Top.

This might be a far stretch but is there any way to swap the windshield and frame from a later/curved top version with the flat top windshield version thats currently on my 64 cj5?

The reason why I ask is I'm constantly hunched over while driving in order to see ANY stop lights/signage/and even oncoming traffic. I'm 5'10" and have removed the sliders and spacers from under my seat but I still have to slouch in order to get a good view out my windshield. It's the equivalent of driving around with the sun visors straight down on my truck.

I was thinking the extra few inches of windshield height on the later/curved top glass might be all I need.

 

Yes, the windshield frame with bottom mount wipers will interchange. Not exactly sure when this was introduced but the reproduction frames are listed for 69-75

 

Having Jeeps with both types ('69 and '71 shown below), the curved-top windshield is much easier to see out of.

Note It's not just the windshield that changed. There are some differences to the hood too.

The flat top windshield has two footman loops:


The short one is for the strap that holds the windshield to the hood when the windshield is down:


The tall one clamps to the latch on the windshield to keep the hood up when it's open:


The curved top windshield hoods have three footman loops two tall and one short (with a Varg photo bomb):


There isn't any room for standoffs above the glass on the windshield so the two tall footman loops are the standoffs when the windshield is down:


The short footman loop still has the role of tying the windshield to the hood when it is down.

Since there isn't room for the latch to hold the hood open on the curved top windshield, they added a prop rod:

 

YESSSSSS! Thx for the info! I imagine there were NO high up signage or stop lights in until the late 60's hahaha. Looks like I'll have to source a new rear view mirror too.

Awesome! Is the total height and width of the frame the same? The reason I ask is I just wanna make sure the besttop setup I have will still work.

 

You need a frame from a late '69-'75. They are physically the same on outside as the flat-top windshields. The '76 and up are narrower at the top and tilt back further so tops/doors are not compatible.

 

If your current windshield is in decent shape you can probably sell it for enough to cover most or all of the price of the later style.

 

Does your current windshield have top mount wipers? If so you'll need to source a wiper motor and linkage for bottom mount wipers. It's all different than the top mount stuff.

 

‘68ish had flat top glass but bottom mount wipers. I cannot remember if it had the latch above the glass. Been way too many years since I had one but I vaguely recall it “may” have had one. Fireball pretty much nailed it otherwise. My ‘59 hood I was able to tweak the hood rest for the windshield (‘68-‘75) to lay against but never pursued further a hold down.

 

Yes, the flat top bottom wiper glass had the latch and hood rests like the earlier models. Mine was rotted beyond saving. Nobody reproduces that frame so I had to convert to curved top glass. I converted the hood footman loop setup to late style also.

 

Nick,

I have heard rumors about a windshield produced with the flat top glass and bottom wipers, but have never seen one. Seems 68 would be a logical year for a transitional piece, and on such I would expect to see the latch, and standoffs at top. Very interesting, and I hope someone out there can come up with a picture of one.

 

I've got a '68 with top wipers and flat top windshield:


And an early '69 with a flat top windshield and bottom wipers:


I know some of the later '69s with side markers and the like had the curved top windshield.

If I had to guess, the flat-top bottom-wiper windshield started sometime in mid '68 and ended some time in mid '69.

I have to say even with a flat top windhield, the bottom wiper one is much better because the wipers are out of you line of sight when parked.

 

My dad's 69 (all original) has the curve top glass and the side markers.
Must have been a mid year change.

 

I am 6'1" but don't have any problem seeing out of the windshield on my 67, as some others report, so never wanted to swap it out for the later curved glass version. Thanks for the pictures Fireball, now I want one of those 69 windshields with the electric wipers on bottom and the standoffs and latch at top.

 

As near as I can tell, the frame is the same stamping with some new holes cut into it. If you could find all the wiper mechanism in an otherwise shot frame it wouldn't be hard to convert the frame you have.

 

Question about the 69 with the botto wipers and the flat top glass... Does the glass actually sit higher? Or would it be the same issue seeing out the top?

I dont care about wiper replacement as I;m only running a modified single hand manual wiper on the drivers side and nothing on the passengers side.

My current windshield frame is in PERFECT condition. The glass needs replacement though as there are a couple rock chips etc. The seals are all still great condition I think they're less than 10 yrs old and not warped or cracked.

 

No it is in the same place. As noted above, the basic window frame for the top or bottom wiper flat-topped windshields look the same with different holes punched in them. Same glass, same glass location.

For reference:

Top wiper (Note the hood latch is missing. I have it and need to install it one of these days):


Bottom wiper:


And curved top:


No difference on the flat-tops but a big difference on the curved top.

 

Fireball has one one a ‘69 but the last one I had came off a ‘68 which I sold to someone doing a correct restoration on a ‘68. He had the same windshield but his was rusted beyond realistically repairing. I have little doubt Jeep used what was readily available on the assembly line at that particular moment so there are variations, especially in transition years. Ask member Daryl. He and I have discussed this several times and he’s seen it too.

 

Ok I have a 69 frame and windshield in my "wishlist" cart on a couple sites lol.
Now just gotta get up the gall to pull the trigger! I'll keep you posted when I do.

 

AWESOME! Question about the curved top in regards to the windshield being down.... Would I need to just roll up something soft to keep it from banging or are there bumpers on the hood for those years originally?

 

Oops just reread your post from earlier. I'll probably just need to have a rolled up soft towel handy etc until I decide I want to drill more holes in my hood haha.