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Best top (tiger top) install problem

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by offroad-dog, Jun 12, 2005.

  1. Jun 12, 2005
    offroad-dog

    offroad-dog Overworked and under paid

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2005
    Messages:
    8
    I Installed a new best tops "tiger top" on my 78 CJ5 today and the instructions were very clear and it went on fairly easy but after adjusting the windshield angle (as described) the upper door does not fit the angle of the windshield properly. To match the angle on the door it needs to go further forward...so I moved the top of the windshield as far forward as the adjusters allow and it is still not enough.

    The door still overlaps the windshield at the top by about 1/4 inch.

    The bottom fits good, both sides are the same...

    anyone have any experience with this top?
     
    offroad-dog, Jun 12, 2005
    #1
  2. Jun 12, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    6,197
    Yep.

    The fix is to shim your w/s up straighter yet, or tweak the door uppers to have more of an anble.
     
    Boyink, Jun 12, 2005
    #2
  3. Jun 13, 2005
    offroad-dog

    offroad-dog Overworked and under paid

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    It would be too much Tweaking for the doors I think so I best shim the w/s forward first.

    do I put washers under the bracket (the two bolts each side) where it adjusts or is there a better way, what works best?

    The instructions say 67 1/2 inches from w/s frame top to tub rear lip and is very clear about measuring points Is the dimension wrong?
     
    offroad-dog, Jun 13, 2005
    #3
  4. Jun 13, 2005
    Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    Alexandria, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2005
    Messages:
    34
    I also have a Besttop (tiger top) that I did not install. The '74 CJ5 windshield is nearly straight up and the top fits great. Only issue I have is that the door on the driver's side doesn't fit the best against the frame and the bottom snaps do not quite reach the frame at the bottom of the door.

    Has anyone tried bending these doors to fit? Ideas?

    Thanks from another Tigertop owner.
     
    Scott'sCJ, Jun 13, 2005
    #4
  5. Jun 13, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    What to use depends on how far you are off. What I ran into was by the time I shimmed up the w/s far enough, it didn't seal along the bottom edge anymore.

    Dennis (Speedbuggy) used a rubber stretchy strap that might work better than the pieces of flat stock I used.

    Not sure where the disconnect is....on the EarlyCJ's I note that Bestop thinks they have a straight verticle w/s (if you look at their model ID guide).
     
    Boyink, Jun 13, 2005
    #5
  6. Jun 13, 2005
    offroad-dog

    offroad-dog Overworked and under paid

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    Jun 4, 2005
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    The instructions say to bend/tweak the doors to fit snugly against the top and rear of the door, you can also adjust the door catch inward. I am just reluctant to start bending stuff before I try more conventional Ideas, once it is bent it will never be straight again and In my opinion I shouldn't have to bend or tweak it much at all and as far as it is off now I would have to bend it a bunch.

    the seal at the bottom of the windshield has a gap already, a new less squashed gasket may be in order.
     
    offroad-dog, Jun 13, 2005
    #6
  7. Jun 13, 2005
    offroad-dog

    offroad-dog Overworked and under paid

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    Jun 4, 2005
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    Ok it is finished, after a few false starts I finally got it to fit right. I have a gap at the w/s to dash seal but I can get a thicker seal.

    I had to bend the doors at the top rear to get them in closer so there was no gap but that was all the tweaking it required.

    I think now I will keep dry!

    Thanks for your input.
     
    offroad-dog, Jun 13, 2005
    #7
  8. Jul 23, 2005
    gonzojohn

    gonzojohn Banned

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    Jul 18, 2005
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    Rust never sleeps. Get that winshield/dash gap sealed up. That also contains your defroster channels.

    gj
     
    gonzojohn, Jul 23, 2005
    #8
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