thoughts on this top??

My wallet is empty, my charge cards filled, my '61 jeep CJ5 7/8 done!
Maybe kinda good, I can get a chance to step back and see where I want to go next, (why do I have to pay bills and buy presents when I'm in the middle of a project? It's so annouying).
All it needs is a heater and a top.
I just can't seem to deside hard top or rag?:?
I'd really like a 1/2 top, but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The "red bomber" has a full roll cage, and, I can't find a good 1/2 top.
So, not being a "idle hands" kinda guy, I thought about this.......
At the bone yard is a nice fiberglass top from a '80 CJ5.
All complete, solid,just dirty and lonely.
So,
If I cut the back off jjjuuusssstt past the doors, and bring the lift window up and fiberglass it together (just before the bend), and,
cut the top to stretch it to fit my '61 window frame, (I took some quick measurement a few weeks ago before winter set in. I BELIEVE the tub width is the same as my replacement tub, but the window frame is 2""? bigger).
I could reinforce the joins with strips? of almn. I saw at Lowes, riveted in place, maybe even a sun roof?
The doors should? just bolt in place.
I'm sure I could do the fiberglass work and make it look good to nice, (I've been a "cobblier" since I was a wet nose kid).
Have I missed anything?
Can this be done?
Am I just having a drug induced flash back?
Thoughts, ideas, jokes?
Joe
"No honey it's not a new fashion statement. The voices in my head told me to smear peanut butter in my hair, and run up and down the street in your underwear.
Yes, honey I'll wash my hair, but, can I wear your underwear to work"?

 

Anything can be done with enough time and patience. Whether it should, well, that's another story.
One other thing to look at is the angle of the windshield. The later w/s angles back farther than your original style. That would need addressing as would some way to fasten the top to the w/s frame, although that could be addressed several ways.
If you have plenty of time and patience, then I say give it a shot. If not, then please don't cut up a top that someone may be able to use.

 

I'd look for a 1/2 cab and cut to fit around your cage behind the seats. I "may" do that with the extra one I have lying around. I figured it'll be a steel bikini top most of the year, the doors pull right off and make the back w/quick release latches.

 

I didn't think about the windshield angle, (me thinks it'd be more a door than a top problem)
There's a few ways to secure to top to the winshield frame, if'n I'm gonna get "fiberglass happy".
I have looked @ for a 1/2 top.
Looked at 2, but it appears the doors are the problem.
If I had those junk yard doors and the top(s) home to see IF I could make something, but you know how it is, piece here, piece there, angles and measurements abound.
Well, it was A thought, like the Edsel, I thought I could make it work.
Joe
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people seem bright, til they open thier mouths!

 

I think it can be done. If you have any fiberglass experience at all I am sure you can cut and paste it together. The windshield angle can be remedied with a later windshield if need be rather than mess with the doors. It is a shame to chop up a cj5 fiberglass top as they are hard to find but if you don't use it it may well just get crushed anyway. Do you have any pictures of your cj5/7/8 hybrid body? I am curious how it all came out.
Greg

 

Don't make straight cuts. Make a few dovetail cuts, bevel the edges and fiber/resin them togehter. It will work if you have the patience to do it. Fiberglass is the same as metal, just worked different.

 

use the pieces you cut out of the top to make strips to back the seams and fill the gaps glass and bondo and your goooood