Hard Top Cowl Gasket question.

I found this top on Craigslist last month for $250.00 and was wondering if anyone can tell me about this Jeep Universal Factory top. The windshield has to lean forward to accommodate the top and now there is a huge gap under the windshield, see photos, is there or was there a special cowl gasket that goes there? Any information about this top would be appreciated. Thanks Bob

 

No special cowl gasket - same as any other Jeep.

It's not a factory top. It's the wrong maker. All the factory tops (ie delivered in place on the Jeep) are Meyer AFAIK, and this is a Koenig or Kelly, I think.

 

Some one from this site sent me this Jeep Universal "Special Equipment" Group 35 from the catalog so I assume it's a factory top, this is the top I have.

The windshield needs to lean forward so the top will fit and a normal gasket won't fill that gap, look at the photo. There had to be a different windshield or a special gasket. The W/S latches won't even hold down even after being adjusted, too large of a gap.

 

Well, shoot, I learned something. I thought Jeep only used the Meyer Cabs in all years of the CJ-5, but apparently they could supply this cab (Koenig? Kelly? Definitely not Meyer) in the early years.

There's no special cowl seal that I know of. I presume the fitment of the top is screwed up somehow. The CJ-5 tubs are supposed to be all the same from 1955-75. You have a M38A1, but it's supposed to be the same tub. If everything were lined up, it should fit.

 

There was a post on here a few weeks back about the same top. They were talking about a filler plate that goes in at the top of the windshield may be your missing that peace it would let the windshield sit back and not have a gap.

 

IIRC, there's a filler plate that goes up by the wipers. Do you have this piece installed? Or are you tilting the w/s to close this gap? Looks like you have to slide the top to the rear to allow the w/s to come back. You may have more overhang of the top on the rear of the vehicle as you have no tailgate. Most tops have the rear liftgate made to accommodate the Jeep tailgate, which sits out furthest on the rear of the vehicle. If you've snugged up the rear overhang to eliminate gaps, you've got it too far forward. That's my best guess from where I sit..................

 

try positioning the doors and see what the angle needs to do. if it absolutely needs to lean forward you could add weatherstrip. hardware stores have all shapes and sizes.

 

Check out this Thread you might find out some more info here

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35865

 

I've installed the over hang piece under the soft top channel and it fits fine. The back of the top lines up with the bed of the Jeep but it pushes the W/S forward. The top sits flat on the bed and it looks like it fits.

I don't have the doors, they didn't come with the top, that would answer the question.

 

reading thu the manual that the picture came from, I see no listing for a cowl to frame w/strip.
There is an "angled panel, windshield to roof"; maybe you already have that.
I see seals and weatherstripping to go around the body and door openings.

 

lists of items used in the install kit and serviceable items.
as usual for that period, no good detailed photos of anything.
you're left to your imagination.

 

I've taken a few more photos.

One shot confirms that the top is flush with the back bed of the Jeep

The side shot shows that the "angled panel, windshield to roof" is installed under the soft top rail but you can see that the W/S is leaned forward but it is sitting in the groove provided.....

If I push the top backward to allow the W/S to seat down it pushes the top off the back of the Jeep 3".

I was hoping that maybe someone may have this same top and have dealt with this before.

Howard here are the close up photo's of the hinge.

 

Howard, that's exactly what seems to be the problem, like the hinges are sitting to high. How do you lower them?

 

Jim, thanks for the part list, I will keep that and it does help with replacement of nuts and bolts... now I know what needs washers etc.

Howard, I am new to the Jeep World and just want to point out something I've noticed, look at my "avatar" of my Jeep, the W/S sits back much further than your White Jeep "avatar", I've noticed this before, is it possible to adjust the W/S forward, backward, up or down? I can't find any adjustments.

 

Bob, is your Jeep swayback? It looks like it might be buckling a little at the door openings. If so, this will bring the hind end up and push the front edge of the top forward.

 

No.... that's just a rust spot where the dirt collected up behind the body support on the inside kick panel and it rusted through. It's solid, things aren't that rusty out here in California.
I believe my problem is in the W/S.

 

Looks to me like the hinges are bent back on the windshield the angle of the frame should fallow the lines on the cowl .

 

I think the hinges inside the frame (upper hinges) are bent.
Could you do a closeup shot of one of your last that show the upper hinges where they go into the frame ?
hinges have to be bent in my opinion.

 

Take a look up in the thread, I just posted a close up of the hinge six postings up. I can take more if you need.