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Author Topic: Summer Top for a CJ3a with MB bows  (Read 1588 times)

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Offline Julian

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Summer Top for a CJ3a with MB bows
« on: April 15, 2015, 10:24:24 PM »
The sun gets awful hot here so my wife wants a summer top instead of driving with the windshield down and a big pair of shades.

The problem is the Willys is a bitsa so nothing is an automatic choice.

The windshield is a CJ3a, possibly on a Cj2a or 3a tub, and there are MB bows.

The look is military so it needs to be a military style (MB, M38) summer top rather than a Bestop. I could order a Bestop as it comes with its ow frame but the look would be wrong, it needs to be green canvas.

Now as far as I can make out the differences between a MB and CJ3a/M38 dimensionally would be:

The top of the windshield is 3" higher
The measurement from top of windshield to back of tub is 1" longer
The MB bows are mounted differently to the M38 bows, as well as being made a little differently.


The question is this, is it possible with the MB bows to order a top for an M38? Are there other off-the-shelf options? Are they even the same size when erected?

I had a quote of $650 to make a summer top from a reputable specialist in the US who knows his onions but this seems a little steep. I can go to $400 but beyond that and I am uncertain it is a wise buy.

Any thoughts?

Photos attached of the CJ.


 

Offline bretto

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Re: Summer Top for a CJ3a with MB bows
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2015, 10:53:46 PM »
I don't think it could be done.  For that price I bet you could almost buy a top and find the correct bows for a M38 which would fit better on a 3A.  Also sell the bows you have, if they are genuine MB/GPW's, I bet they would felt a good price by the G boys.  All their parts seem to have a vein of gold.

I'm biased to Wee Bee Webbing products.  A summer top will run bout $440 and their stuff is quality.