73 Windshield Frame Upgrade To 76

Okay, I know this has been discussed previously, but I never found anyone who had went through the entire process and posted all the steps and pitfalls. I have a 73 cj5. My top is shot, and (while I'm in there) I decided I wanted a later model frame and top. So, I ordered an after market 76 frame. The frames are definitely different, my original is square.. the new one tapered at the top. You will have to replace the hinges. Most of the holes lined up for me without mods, but the door side lower did not line up at all and I had little room to re-drill, tap, and put a new screw in. So, it remains open. The old wiper motor is a keeper and can be re-used, but the cover and the wiper linkage is different. Since you are moving the motor to the inside, the mount is a little different and has an extra plate that is riveted to the frame (I think for the purpose of additional support and as a possible support for the later model dash pad. My original dashpad will no longer fit (and I loved my black simulated emu cover). The newer frame is held to the tub via two large (like small boulders) sized screw in knobs that you will have to purchase. I got two chrome ones from Rugged Ridge and they are super heavy duty. You will be removing your dash clamps and using these instead. The problem, our Jeeps do not have a screw in mount for these huge knobs. It's easily fixed, you just need some weld nuts in the size of (3/8-16) I think. Just put the frame in the hinges and pull it back until the frame is tight against the cowl/dash top and mark the holes. Mine lined up nearly parallel with the holes for the dash panel. Drill the holes, weld in the nuts and you are good to go. I had an after market tach mounted on my steering column... so I had to push it closer to the steering wheel in order for it to clear the wiper motor cover. The frame is differently shaped, so you will need new glass, a new glass seal, and a new cowl gasket. Of course my top won't fit correctly now. So that is next on my list. Remember, the newer frame is narrower at the top, as opposed to being a square like on my 73. Also, the new frame now has a much more leaned back angle, which also affects the top fitment. I've been told that once you do all this, you are now free to purchase a 76 or later top and hardware and all will fit perfectly. I haven't purchased the new top yet, so the jury is still out on whether this is true or not. Hope this helps for anyone attempting to do this modification.

-Troy

 

Oh yeah... my old rear view mirror didn't fit either, so I had to get another. The sun visors were pretty close. Three of the four holes lined up perfectly on each, but I did have to drill one extra in order to put all four screws in.

 

And, to finish this up... I purchased a new SuperTop for a 76+ and it fit my 73 with new 76+ windshield frame like a champ. I did have to toss my old light bar because it was designed for a square frame. So, I welded up a new one to hold my 52" light bar. Overall, I'm happy with the whole project. The windshield looks much cleaner with the wiper motor on the inside now.

-Troy

 

my '75 windshield & frame had already been converted when i bought the jeep back in the early 90s. thus, it already had the later hinges, knobs, wiper linkage, sunvisors, etc. i replaced the tigertop with a 55-75 supertop, and i adjusted the w/s frame angle by using a wooden shim the width of the frame to get close to the correct angle for the intermediates.

i did have to massage the supertop door uppers to fit, and they served well for over 20 years. in fact, all of the windows are still pretty clear; no cloudiness, but with a few scratches. i consider it good service, especially since it never saw garage time for storage. always in the driveway in winter. i like the "half-door" feature of the supertops.