New Bikini Top

[Jimmy Fehr]

I have looked around the forums and have found a little information on Bikini tops for a CJ3A. Most of them are getting a custom top made, which any competent upholsterer can do, except the cost. I got an estimate of $650.00 using boat tarp material. 

So I decide to go a different route. I bought Bestop Traditional Bikini Top for a 1955-1975 CJ5, Part # 52505-01.
 
Since I already had a complete soft top system, the window channel was already there. So I put the top up and found that it stuck out by 2.750� per side. See 1950 CJ3A - Top Details - Issues with Top attachment.
 
From there it was a trip down to my friendly upholster (C&M Upholstery in Edmonton, Alberta;  http://www.cmupholstery.com/), where they cut the corners, and resew the top to make it wrap around the windshield.  They did an awesome job. I have had this top for two months and am very happy with it. See attached pictures. 

[MikeB]

I too used the cj5 bestop bikini, I have the tan version, it fits near perfect, however I mounted mine to the windshield frame slightly different. And didn't need to trim the top at all.�

I used the channels that came with the top, trimmed 1/2" of each piece at the flat end and mounted them to the top of the frame. The curves on the channel match the stock frame, just mounted the snap rivet a inch or so down the side of the frame, a little black silicone under the bestop channel made it water tight, had it mounted for three summers now, never leaked once, including this summers Wet season.

There are two sizes of tops for the CJ5 51 to 75, and 76 to 83, the later is the narrower top I believe. The windshield frames are different widths, I believe I have the narrower top, hence the better fit with no trimming , shame I didn't find your tread a few months ago, I could have pointed you in right direction and saved you a trip to the upholsters.  My whole set up cost $50 shipping included.

[Jimmy Fehr]

Mike, That looks really good. Do you have any pictures or sketches of how you attached the top to the windshield frame?

[MikeB]

Sure do, you need a windshield channel, I mistakenly said in my above post it came with the top, it did not you have to buy it separate. I believe it is bestop part 5120901. It's a two piece channel, you have to trim a bit of the inside end of each section to make it fit the narrower CJ3/M38 windshield frame.

Like I mentioned there were two widths of CJ5 windshield frames, you want the bikini top for the narrower one.

Hope the pictures help, my top isn't stretched tight as I was just working on a roll cage on the weekend.

[Jimmy Fehr]

Mike, Looks good. I didn't know the top could be mounted like that.

[terryb]

Thanks Mike,  I've been wanting to get a top and now I know which way im gonna go

[tow hook]

hey, i just wanted to up date this thread, 6 years later that top no longer fits into the "rope channel" ( that's what i'm told is it is called ) the top with the same part # now only fits a newer style channel
https://www.bestop.com/products/traditional-bikini-top-jeep-1955-1975-cj5-willys-1951-1962-m38a1-requires-51209-01-channel-black-crush/

 the new style channel
https://www.bestop.com/products/windshield-channel-jeep-1976-1986-cj7-1987-1995-wrangler-yj-toyota-1964-1984-land-cruiser-black/

i've been hunting a new bikini top with no luck, i'll start a new post