Correct Soft Top For ‘55 Cj5

What kind of soft top would the original early cj5 come with, utilizing the poll socket looking things on the body, there are four of them. I would like one that is factory original it can be reproduction, but One that works correct though

 

The bow sockets are for the canvas half and full cabs. The canvas is sort of "different" for better or worse.

 

Do you where to find a canvas full cab by any chance?

 

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Here is the thread you would want to review.
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/150242/

 

What color top are you wanting to have for your jeep?

 

Kaiser willys has some canvas tops that are made to order.

 

OMG Thats awesome!!!!!!!

 

Welcome from Michigan, Hella. You have Just opened a big Door, Besttop is the best for our Jeeps, they made tops for the Jeep Factory. Another Option is a good Marine Boat Shop. Here in Michigan Marine Shops are everywhere, it is not hard to find a guy that does Jeep stuff. Take your time and do the research, what you want and how much you want to spend. Besttop's work as far is I am concerned, but are not Cheap, but mine is old and still reliable. If that's your Jeep, it is Nice, and being a retired Biker I don't care if I get a little Wet. Good Luck, Rick.

 

The original soft tops were made by Whitco, and are very hard to find now! Like Rick mentions, Bestop is the top that so many of us use. No problems for fitment, many options to use it (doors off, windows removed, etc.)

 

This thread has got me thinking about how awesome a full length canvas bikini top would look on original style top bows.

 

The flatfenders I wheel with all have this style.

Not my video but that is me in the last 5 min.

 

I use this top a lot when caught in a rain.

 

On my ‘56 a PO had removed the wheel well pockets when they added a roll bar so my daughter and I made this full length bikini top at home with some WalMart or Hobby Lobby (I forget which) canvas and her sewing machine. We used a scrap after market bow for the rear pockets. It’s not fancy but it’s functional. If I had all the original mounts, hardware and corresponding dollars i’d get a period correct multi piece canvas top from New Life or another vendor.

 

I got the Bestop Supertop for my ‘58. It does work and does fit and good quality, but expensive (right at $1,000 back in 2017). BUT as I’ve posted here before, it’s a pain to put on. The side windows are a bear, but you do get better the more you do it. I like having the jeep open when possible so like to take it off. However, being at our mountain cabin, it is on most of late fall to early spring. I love driving with the windshield down which is a real pain with this top. I mean a real pain. Then if it starts to rain, forget getting it on quickly. And stowing the bows is a pain and they fall apart as I try to get them past my roll bar. And those foam over bar tubes fall apart after a few years and shed everywhere. So I bought one of their bikini tops. It is quick and easy, but minimal rain protection on sides if raining and zero protection from sun or rain for rear passengers/items. But I can get it on and off quickly and easy to get windshield down. Since I have kids in back seat, it is not really workable.

So, I have decided to move to one of the military bows and summer tops. I watched many a video and they look like they will come down easy, not interfere with my roll bar and stow easily. Having said that, I have not gotten the jeep back home to install. I did get all the rods, etc. Once I see that it all works fine, I will order one of the canvas military style, probably a full side and all. If all works, will probably sell the Bestop. But it’s a process

 

I also have the Bestop Supertop on mine, and I love it! It's much more practical and easy to use than the old Kaylines & Whitcos we had back inthe day. I use mine differently than you do, and I think that may be part of the difference in opinion. I have the full top on in the winter, of course. Come spring, I remove the zip out back & sides & stow them in the garage. The top gets folded down & rolled up, I made a couple of short lengths of webbing to keep it rolled tightly. The lower doors stay on, and the upper doors get stowed behind the rear seat, inside a couple of old flannel pillowcases for protection. This way if it rains I can quickly fold the top up and put the upper doors on & stay dry.
I never run with the windshield down but I don't see how that would make a big difference....fold windshield up and put top up

 

I have a Bestop Super top on my 69, no complaints.
For summer time I completely remove the top and run a full length bikini top.
You can have one made at a local canvas/upholstery shop. My bikini top attaches to the factory windshield channel and has snaps to attach it to the roll cage for windshield down wheeling.
Once you have ridden the back roads with the windshield down, you never want to fold it up.

 

I got the 90's fastback I have from Grant, Because the top bow and hardware are the same as the canvas half cab. I use it like a bikini with the rear window rolled up, kids in the sun but it's just a matter of placing the dors in the sockets, two zippers and a few buttons for it to be storm ready.

The plan is to copy the sections for a vinyl canvas style top. Add some pop-up tent style rear side windows with two layers of window and bug screen.