Hard top search ?

Hi all, newb here. I'm searching for a hard top for my 61 Willys and am somewhat confused by what years fit what. Any help with body style's or any links would be appreciated. I'd prefer a steel model but it seems there are fiberglass as well? I think.

Thanks for any help

 

Maybe I'm just looking for cj5 ?

 

'55-'75 CJ-5 interchange. '76-'83 CJ-5 hard top can be used if you convert to the '76 and up CJ windshield.
This is assuming you have a CJ-5. All you said was "Willys" which does not specify what model you have.

 

There is a early 5 hard top and doors here in my town on craiglist for 300 or 500 cant remember which. If you want to look for it, its under "craigslist Cincinnati". The top is located in Amelia

 

I have a Koenig and a Meyers right now if you want to drive 1500 miles to get one...

 

There is no source for hard tops for CJ-5s other than used. The steel cabs were produced for decades before any fiberglass tops were sold, and the fiberglass tops are a very small fraction of what's out there. As Nick wrote, the windshield changes shape and angle for 1976, and all tops for CJ-5s are the same except for whether it fits the older or newer windshield.

You sure you want a hard top? Do you have any top for your Jeep now? If not, I'd suggest you buy a new soft top rather than a hard top ... unless you have experience with the hard top and know that's what you want. Have you driven a CJ-5 with a hard top? Not only are they top heavy, they rattle and aren't any quieter or warmer than a sort top. Their main advantage is that they can be locked. If you need security, how about a locking compartment in the back of the Jeep?

If you really really wqnt a steel cab, the best and newest ones were made by Meyer. Look for a Meyer cab, and be sure to get everything - there are pieces like hinges and brackets that are often missing, and if missing there is no ready source other than to make replacements.

These cabs are heavy and bulky, so you're pretty much limited to a local sale. There is not much supply, but there is also not much demand ... so to get a good price, you will need to be patient and a good negotiator. Remember that just because something is rare does not make it valuable. Figure out what you want, what you are willing to pay, and keep looking.

 

current sources for CJ5 hardtops but they are expensive and both require late model windshield frames -

http://www.hardtopdepot.com/cj5-fulltop-doors/
http://www.rallytops.com/jeep/cj5-intermediate-model.html

Both are fiberglass, I don't know of anyone making metal ones.

I would sale my fiberglass one right now for around $800. I agree the tops make some noise but they are about 20 decibels quiter than a softop and the temperature is no where close. The hard top is far superior and if it is fiberglass the weight is not much of a problem - mine weighs about 200 lbs. Well that is true for my fiberglass one - Timgr has far more experience than me with CJ's in general and I am sure the hard tops also.

 

Thanks for the info everyone and Happy Easter. I'm thinking I want a steel cab as the Willys will hardly ever see the road other than plowing out myself and the neighbors. I'm ditching my Polaris Ranger in favor of my grandpas jeep. Ranger has been fun but just want something different and legal on road.

Heading to CL now, thanks for the tips

This is my Willys:

 

For the Meyer tops, the tops are relatively light, the heavy pieces are the doors.

 

Nice Jeep . I would look on Craigslist or even put a wanted Ad on there. just be sure to get the top with the doors because it wont be easy to find one or the other. and the hardware to atatch the doors is also pretty important but not the end of the world if it doesnt come with it. lots of different brands of steel tops out there. youll probrobly have to ditch that high roll bar

 

If you are going to look for the one I posted in Amelia, and cant find it, let me know. I live in Amelia and have been in touch with the guy via email, I know he posted his add too soon and was holding off for a month before selling to dig out other parts, that was about a month ago so if you cant find it or get ahold of him let me know and Ill give you his email address.

 

Well, light compared to what? The main issue with steel cabs is that the steel is up high, above your head, and that makes a significant lever arm that you can feel when you drive the Jeep. By design, all the steel is as far from the center as possible. If you drive the same Jeep with and without the cab, the difference in sway is very noticeable (simply a higher angular inertia, significantly more pitch as well as roll). The overall weight of the cab is not an issue - the Jeep can easily carry it.

If it were mine, and I were going to plow with the Jeep, I'd go with a soft top and focus on an aftermarket heater. The factory heater is known here as the "placebo heater" and IMO you'd be much better off with a soft top and a better heater. Supposedly the aftermarket heaters are blast furnaces compared to the factory heater. This would be a much better all-season combination than a steel cab, IMO.

Carpet and insulation on the floors would help too, making the Jeep both quieter and warmer. However, many owners don't like carpets because they hold water and promote rust. Just depends on the climate and whether you are willing to remove and dry out the carpet when/if it gets wet.

 

Jeepcj...yea , I looked but did not find the ad. I'll let you know and appreciate the offer.

I did find one in Flint Mi with a freaky flame job though. I'm going to check my local JY tomorrow before driving 4 hours.

I'm sure my leafs are shot and I was thinking that I could have National make me a set that would handle the extra weight of the top and also handle the plow a bit better.

 

I just don't understand all the negatives . that having a jeep with a steel top .yes it will handle different . than driving without it . but a jeep doesn't drive like any car or truck . so don't drive it that way . yes it might seem top heavy . but only when making turns . so show a little respect to the habits of the old jeep and turning . other that that I am quite happy with my hard top .and I don't think it makes the interior any louder . plus no drafts and roll up windows and would never go back to a soft top top has been on jeep for more than 20 years and only been off once . just so I could make body and floor repairs

 

I was looking for a 1/2 cab and found it on the Willy's parts board. I had to drive out Albany from Eastern MA. It was $125, had rollup windows, rusty on the inside ( still haven't painted yet ) and the outside paint even matched my jeep. Keep looking!

 

Today was a great day. I remembered a row of Jeeps at my local JY and ,welp, found a 99% rust free half cab with great glass and all hardware. I snagged the whole body as the yard won't sell entire vehicles. I got what appears to be a decent stock fuel tank along with a spare tank in the bed. It has what appears to be a complete aluminum body panel set although one of the lower rocker pieces got a little maimed during removal.

Oh yeah!!!!

 

lucky find

 

dang i need to plan my next road trip that way.
don't get "Heavy Duty" Springs with 10+ leaves. having a full steel cab and a snow plow mine was very firm. and still is 8+ years later

 

I have had a half dozen Jeeps with hardtops and actually prefer them to softops. They are considerably quieter then a ragtop. You run the risk on a forum of getting someone with knowledge of ONE Jeep. They are an expert in that ONE Jeep but don't have any knowledge relating to the millions of other Jeeps out there. If you read it enough times on the internet it must be true right?

 

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night after reading some of the posts in this thread, so I waited a day.
I've been using a Koenig steel full hard top for over 25 years on my CJ3B. Winters only.
I've only had one handleing issue, the RR tire was going flat so that LH corner was a bit strange.
If your Jeep has decent springs, shocks and tires, the extra weight shouldn't cause any problems unless the driver isn't paying attention.