Making top bows,rods and rails

[oldtime]

First off let me say that the CJ3A and B original top parts are all identical excepting the two front top rails which are located above the doors.
They obviously require different door skins too.
Why do the front horizontal rails differ from A to B ?
Well I think it’s because the windshields are mounted at slightly different angles,
In other words they have a very slightly different bend up near the windshield.

I am currently fitting some top bows onto my 3B and making all of the various rods and rails by hand.
Here is my question for now…
If you look at the base of the front vertical door rod you will notice it has a small dogleg shape bend near the base. Is this bend supposed to be positioned inward as is barely noticeable in Lawrence Wade’s pics ? or outward ?
https://cj3b.info/Owners/WadeBows.html

[oldtime]

For those who do not know all rods and rails are fabricated from common 3/8’ rod material.
The term “rod” designated a vertical position and the term “rail” indicates horizontal in line with Willys nomenclature.
While the term “bow” basically  indicates any one of the tubes. They are further identified as front center bow, rear center bow, front left bow, rear left bow etc.

[Rus Curtis]

First off let me say that the CJ3A and B original top parts are all identical excepting the two front top rails which are located above the doors.
They obviously require different door skins too.
Why do the front horizontal rails differ from A to B ?
Well I think it’s because the windshields are mounted at slightly different angles,
In other words they have a very slightly different bend up near the windshield.

I am currently fitting some top bows onto my 3B and making all of the various rods and rails by hand.
Here is my question for now…
If you look at the base of the front vertical door rod you will notice it has a small dogleg shape bend near the base. Is this bend supposed to be positioned inward as is barely noticeable in Lawrence Wade’s pics ? or outward ?
https://cj3b.info/Owners/WadeBows.html

For those who do not know all rods and rails are fabricated from common 3/8’ rod material.
The term “rod” designated a vertical position and the term “rail” indicates horizontal in line with Willys nomenclature.
While the term “bow” basically  indicates any one of the tubes. They are further identified as front center bow, rear center bow, front left bow, rear left bow etc.

I copied (quoted) your posts so I could see them - in case others can't.

Ken,
I can't see from that image any more detail.  I don't have an original, my top is a BestTop (Tiger Top) and came with its own door frames.  When you describe the "dog leg" are you referring to the part that sticks down into the hinge (the pivot) vs. the framing for the fabric? 

I took some pictures of another unrestored CJ-3B at the Fall Reunion in 2003.  It belonged to Neal Rohrke.  I found an image of the cowl pillar from the inside but it also shows the door frame too.   Included a close up detail.

[oldtime]

Russ, thanks for responding but wrong part.
On an original canvas top there are 6 bow pieces.
Left front, right front, center front plus left rear, right rear and center rear.
There are 4 rails which included the left front, right front and the 2 identical rear rails.
There are 3 rods. This consists of a horizontal positioned front center spacer.
And finally 2 vertical front side curtain left and right.
Here is a pic of the “dogleg” bend .
Does this bend go in or out ?

[Rus Curtis]

Russ, thanks for responding but wrong part.
On an original canvas top there are 6 bow pieces.
Left front, right front, center front plus left rear, right rear and center rear.
There are 4 rails which included the left front, right front and the 2 identical rear rails.
There are 3 rods. This consists of a horizontal positioned front center spacer.
And finally 2 vertical front side curtain left and right.
Here is a pic of the “dogleg” bend .
Does this bend go in or out ?

Yep, I was off. Sorry.  Here's the same '54 jeep @ the '03 Fall Reunion but now looking at the vertical rod for the driver's door.  It appears to me that it matches the bend in your image (the rod seems to bend out away from the driver).

[SteveKfl]

Looking at OT's pic provided and the vertical line up with the outside of the tub, I would guess "facing out" like shown, as "facing inside" seems it would really pull the door too far passed the center-top-bow frame and 'tub's entrance opening'.

[oldtime]

Here’s a view showing how vertical door rod aligns relative to the bow.
Also shows how the vertical door rod attaches to the left front rail.