Found New CJ3B Bikini Tops

[Scott Blystone]

 
Bikini Top for CJ3B, Black Vinyl
   415301-CJ3

Somar Motor, $75

I finally got around to dragging out the old best top that I was going to cut down for a bikini and cannot find it.  I decided to buy this and see what I think.  About 3 times what bikini tops used to cost in JC Whitney, but that's what you get.  I will report back in when it arrives. 

[Scott Blystone]

OK.  Only 6 days for delivery via USPS from San Juan PR.  Nice.

Top is specific to 3B, fits windshield channel perfectly, with one snap on either side at the top of the windshield side frame. The length would be just perfect for a vertical rollbar.  I have an old Morris bar that is rounded left-to-right (for rolling) and tips backwards more than normal ones.  As such the top just comes to the back edge of my rollbar, rather than a few inches over.  Straps for footman loops are pretty good, with a quick release buckle so you only ever adjust them once.  For taughtness, again I suffer from the rounded rollbar which I expected.  There is a dart in the fabric that would accommodate the squarer roll bars but makes the top a bit saggy on my jeep.  Fabric quality is hard to describe - different from the old vinyl canvas tops, but very sturdy and tough.  I would call it an upgrade over the old ones.  You do need footman loops in rear, windshield channel and two male snaps already on your jeep.  They do not come with the top.

For now, I will carry it on longer trips in case of hitting some rain.  Perhaps I will change rollbars when I put the new body on.

[Rus Curtis]

Scott,
Thanks for the report!  I may have to stop searching for CJ5 bikini tops on ebay that would need altering to fit.  If this actually fits, the hunt to get a top, find an upholstery/top shop to alter, go through several fittings including the time involved to get it right sounds like it would make this worth the price.  I did notice the supplier that Somar listed was in PR, so that's a bonus.

A few photos would really help with visualizing.  Also, what's the measurement to the back edge?  I don't have a roll bar and am planning to copy what others have done using the original front bows, but would like to see what the overhang would be.

Again, thanks for this.

[Scott Blystone]

Rus - I can get that measurement for you.  I have a bunch of pics, but they are high res and I cannot seem to get them to where they will post.  I can email them to you.

[Chuck W.]

I don't have a roll bar and am planning to copy what others have done using the original front bows,

Rus, would be interested to see how this works for you. I have my original top and doors, but really don't want to put them on.

[oldtime]

I just finished up my latest and final 3B build but it has no top.
I won’t be putting a roll bar on this Jeep but will definitely consider mounting a bikini onto the front bow.
I see that they seem to have several color and perhaps material options.
The silver grey might work well on one of my future jeeps.

What color did you get Scott ? Black denim ?

[Rus Curtis]

Rus - I can get that measurement for you.  I have a bunch of pics, but they are high res and I cannot seem to get them to where they will post.  I can email them to you.

Thanks for the help.  And PM sent for pics.

[Rus Curtis]

Rus, would be interested to see how this works for you. I have my original top and doors, but really don't want to put them on.

I just finished up my latest and final 3B build but it has no top.
I won’t be putting a roll bar on this Jeep but will definitely consider mounting a bikini onto the front bow.
I see that they seem to have several color and perhaps material options.
The silver grey might work well on one of my future jeeps.

What color did you get Scott ? Black denim ?

For me, it was the images posted where the front bows were being used that inspired me to go this route.  Below are some images of what has been discussed and done on the 2A forum.  Jpet makes full tops and bikinis.  He's offered plans as well as taken orders to construct items for members.  As you can see, the bikini looks quite sharp on the front bows.


photos on pg 13:
https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/bikini-tops-photos_topic8335_post67632.html#67632

photos on pg 3:
https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/bikini-tops-photos_topic8335_page3.html?KW=bikini+top+original+bows


I wonder what the black denim would look like?........

added:  once I get the images, I'll resize and post here

[tow hook]

there was a add in the https://www.dispatchermagazine.com/advertise that had a fella who made them, and a good price too. wish i had the book near me , to list the web site

[Scott Blystone]

Yes to whoever asked - I got the top in black.

Rus - did you get the pictures I emailed?  Feel free to post them on here is you can.

[Rus Curtis]

Sorry for the delay.  Timing gets in the way sometimes.  Here's the bikini top from Somar Motor.  Captions from Scott.

Side View.  Bikini Top.  Standing on rear bumper with measuring tape hooked on the top edge of the windshield frame.  From there to the back of the top, in the very center, was 41 inches.  Also, from the windshield edge back along both sides to the dart in the fabric where the support should be, was 36 inches. Visually, looking straight down from there was just behind the seat frame.

Front No Snap.  In windshield channel showing snap.

Front Snap.  Folded over and snapped.

Rear Strap Top and Rear Strap Bottom. Strap to footman loop.

[Rus Curtis]

there was a add in the https://www.dispatchermagazine.com/advertise that had a fella who made them, and a good price too. wish i had the book near me , to list the web site

towhook,
I believe you're referring to:

http://classicjeeptops.com/

That's jpet over on the CJ2A forum.  He's meticulously reverse engineered the original canvas top.  From there he's branched into other options including the bikini and summer tops.  I saw an announcement over there that he isn't taking any orders and his website confirms this.

[Rus Curtis]

Scott,
I've been wanting to circle back for days to ask some follow-on questions. Have you had time to "test-drive" with the top yet?

At first, I was confused about the front corner where the snap is.  Once I noticed no seam across the top of the w/s frame (typically seen on vinyl or canvas tops), I can imagine the manufacturer used this corner cut-out to avoid sewing that seam.  Have you noticed any flapping at that gap next to the snap?

I can't tell how thick the material is (I've seen some references to how canvas or vinyl is compared, using ounces but don't know how that translates).  Higher, i.e. 30 oz., is a heavier material than 10 oz.  Earlier you posted it was different from typical vinyl but sturdy and tough.  Not too thin?

How's the stitching (including how the piping is attached)?  Obviously, the dart doesn't sit on your roll bar (looks like it would sit over an OEM front bow, or vertical roll bar).  Are you thinking of moving the dart or adding something to the roll bar to fill that area or just "roll" with it?  (pun intended)

[Scott Blystone]

No flapping at all, even with my poor fit. Up to 50 mph.  I don't know how to judge thickness. It feels thinner but stronger than old style tops. Very strong fabric, but not something I have seen before. Stitching is very good quality. I am quite pleased. Long term I will probably go with a different, more vertical rollbar. As someone who has rolled jeeps, I would not like to go without. Let me know if better pictures are desired.

[Scott Blystone]

Missed something. There were two male screw in snaps in the box in a tiny ziploc.