Randy,

Wow thanks for all the good information - you really went above and beyond to help me out. Looks like I may have some minor modifications to do in order to make my bows fit.

Thanks again -

George

Well George....

Here is my humble opinion..

I prefer driving the jeep either with no top (Don't we all!) or with what I think would be called a "trail top"...just a top with canvas corners in the back...

A full enclosure with doors is pretty confining but if it were really cold probably a good choice.

Side curtains are OK but they flap a lot..and they block your vision to the right

The rear removable panel keeps the exhaust out but it blocks your vision to the rear.......

So maybe you don't need those holes.....?

TW   Stumbling onto your treads both here and on the 2A page has me engaged in my project again. Do you know the correct distance from the inside top of the windshield to the back inside of the tub?  The Besttop instructions say 66½”.   Jpet listed this at 67.13” for the 2a. I have a repo tub with a second hand windshield so I don't have much to go by.

I tried to attach a picture but for some reason can't.

It was a sad day when manufacturing shifted QC to the buyer.

Well, George, that bites! 

Did it sound like they would address the mistakes?  If not, can you keep track of the modifications you're forced to do?  It may be helpful to the 3A folks.

Had to cut the rear top bow down to 47 1/2" and matched the length to the front cross bow. Prior to welding the rear cross bow I inserted a 2" long steel rod that I had to give support to the new weld. You can see a little hump in my weld but I am okay with it.

On the rear side curtain rods I had to cut 5" out of each rod and weld back together.

The side supports both driver and passenger I had to cut off the flat taps and weld a threaded rod to fit the windshield. (Lesson from garage gnome. - thanks)

I think everything is in place but feel free to comment. Since I will not be adding doors I think I can just leave the vertical door rods off at this time.

Just noticed the distortion of my iPad pictures.

Hi All,

Sorry to be late to the party.  I skimmed through the thread but forgive me if I'm posting something that's already been said here or on the 2A page.

The correct measurement for a 3A from inside of the windshield (very top center), to the inside of the tub is 66.7 .....



.... this is measured from the very top center of the windshield which is its highest point.  The correct tilt of the windshield is supposed to be 16 degrees.  (not 15).  All these dimensions come from original Willys documentation and drawings I have had access to and I have confirmed them against an M38.

IMO, $295 for a set of bows from Walcks is a very good deal.  When I was making top bows, I would not have been able to make a full set of bows, rod hardware and everything for $135.  I said this on the 2A page but I saw a set of MDJuan bows at the 2013 Spring Reunion.  They could not be assembled and it was clear that the engineer did not know how to assemble them.  The set I saw had the door handle assembly for the drivers side welded to the vertical door rod for the passenger side and vise versa.  A 3A set would not have the door handles on the vertical rods so I guess that's not an issue.  I spoke with Rommel Juan and the engineer.  I explained the errors and how to fix them.  I even provide a drawing.  I don't mean to flame MDJuan because i know Rommel and in the past he has been open to forum members for help but this was 2-1/2 years ago so it's actually a little disappointing that these bows are still being sold so much later.  I'd ask how old the stock is.

canopy:

I'd agree with 1955CJ-5 that a 2 piece canopy with the open back arch is all you need for any weather/sun conditions other than winter.  Some of you guys know that I drive my flattys year round with canvas tops.  I have driven in many a rain fall with a simple 2 piece top.  Leave the rear panel out so that it does not trap wind.  You won't get wet unless the rain is coming sideways.  If you don't want to get wet at all, a set of half doors would be nice.

HTH