Top installation

I bought a NOS Whitco top for my 80 CJ-5. It's brand new with all the hardware, instructions, etc. It seems to have shrunken slightly and I'm having a hll of a time snapping it on. My windshield angle is at the correct measurement. Any suggestions? It's about 75 degrees here.

 

Can you snap it, then raise the rear bow?

 

You might need a warmer day or heated shop, say about 85 degrees, out in the warm sun will also help. It should stretch some once you get it on and drive it. You may still have to remember to put it up before it gets too cold in the evenings or you'll have to leave it down untill the next day. If you fit them loose enough to go back up in the cold, they will be loose and flappy on hot days.

 

Warm sunny days and a hairdryer helps.
Leave the two top bars limp, snap all the snaps, and then raise the top bars into final position.

 

i just put one on my 81 and had to put the upper part of the top on then let the sides hang. the next day i went back and made adjustments to the winshield and bow assembley. did this for two days and it fits like a glove. the temp here was about 70. patience was my key to success.

 

We had a nice sunny day today about 87 degrees. Let the Jeep sit out in the sun with the top on. Called a friend over and had him pull down on the rear center panel as I fastened the snaps. Lot easier with 2 people. Got the doors to do but that's not a problem.

 

Where did you find this top? I've never heard of this company.I just bought a Bestop, I thought they were the only company.

 

A fellow on Jeep forums.com ran a thread indicating that he had the top and had no idea what it was worth. I pm'd him immediately and settled on $450. Turns out his family runs a Jeep dealership in Massachusetts and the top was sitting in their parts dept. for a long time. It's a Whitco 5105 in denim tan and in brand new condition. I always liked the styling of the Whitco CJ-5 tops. I've been watching Ebay and other places for one of these for quite a while so I guess I lucked out.

 

Wow...wish I had good fortune like that

 

The guy that runs Austin Jeeps in Texas has an inventory of NOS Whitco tops and want's $1500 for them.

 

That would be wanting an original top really really bad.....

 

Sounds like good old American capitalism and supply & demand...If I am the only one that has someting that a defined segment of the population desires, I pretty much charge what I think the market will bear. If they dont sell, then I lower my price until they do sell or I get tired of looking at them, whichever comes first. If I am doing a full resto & that's what I need to finish the job, that's what I'll buy & that's what I'll pay. I was perusing a hotrod catalog at the barbershop the other day while I was getting the ears lowered & all I could say was "these prices are crazy...why would any fool pay this much for this stuff..." IT'S JUST THE AMERICAN WAY.

And please remember... no one is standing there with a gun making you buy it. Ain't America GREAT!!!

 

I had one of the tan Whitco Levis tops on my '73 CJ-5 - looks good and a nice top too!

 

Yeah well, I guess it's not a necessity so if you want it bad enough, you pay. As you say, no ones holding a gun to your head....

 

I'd send Collins Brothers a note saying too bad I found one cheaper.

$1500 is way too much. No wonder they still have the tops. No one will buy them.

 

It's not Collins Brothers. It's Austin Jeeps. The guy's a nice enough. He just feels that he has something exclusive.

I wonder how long something like a vinyl top can be held in storage before it starts to deteriorate. After having a close look at mine, I notice little white pin head dots forming in the plexiglas windows. Not a lot but a few here and there. Something I will be watching.

 

Here's a pic of my NOS Whitco top.

 

:iagree: