[SoCalJK]

After reading all the posts about mesh tops and checking the prices I decided to try make my own as a weekend project. I already had some 80% shade cloth in the garage that I could use so purchased a pack of 10" ball-bungies - $3.88 and a grommet kit - $4.88. Shade cloth is around $25 for a 6" x 15" roll which could make 2 tops.

I then measured the JK to get the size. Length was 74", width at the front 44" and back 46". I allowed for double 2" seams all around and then got the wife to help cut, pin and teach me how to use her sewing machine. Once it was sewn I took it into the garage and added a grommet at each corner and one in the center front.

I then mounted it to check for fit and where the bungies should go on the sides. I used a short 3" bungie to connect to the windshield center front and then put the 2 front bungies on. To do this I removed the plastic pieces from the roll bars and then put the bungies under the plastic cover that extends from the A-pillar to the front of the roll bar. This allowed me to mount the mesh close to the windshield.

After that i put the bungies on the back and then measured the sides. Bungie over front seats is 19" from the front of the mesh. This puts it just in front of the speaker bar.Back is 25" forward from the back of the mesh which puts the bungie right behind the knob holding the back plastic.

It works great and held up fine on my highway trip to work this morning. Feels really good. No noticeable extra noise and does cut out a little of the wind.

I have some photos but forgot to bring my card reader to work. Will post pictures as soon as I can.

[mattman8706]

cool. I can't wait to see some pictures

[SoCalJK]

Here are some photos.





Red bungies are only because that is att htey had at the store. Plan to get black ones. I'll probably also reduce from 10" to 8" to get more tension in the top.

[mattman8706]

sweet

That looks good

[rballman]

wow that looks really good!

[Treeslam]

That has to be the best looking "homemade" product I have yet seen on JF.

[cuder]

I stay off of trampolines. I broke my back years ago. That is the highest one Iv'e ever seen.

[ctown67]

thanks for the idea! that helped me remember that i made a top for my boat that is about the right size with grommets already in it. It is yellow so that might look strange. i will check for fit tonight. you might have saved me some cash.

i hope that photo was on a weekend and you haven't laid everyone off.

[SoCalJK]

Originally Posted by ctown67

thanks for the idea! that helped me remember that i made a top for my boat that is about the right size with grommets already in it. It is yellow so that might look strange. i will check for fit tonight. you might have saved me some cash.

i hope that photo was on a weekend and you haven't laid everyone off.

Hope that it fits. I'm interested to see how much cooler it is driving home this afternoon.

The photos were taken in the parking lot at work at 6:00AM this morning. I like to start early but actual hours are from 8:00 to 5:00 so not too many people here yet.

[jerryjeeper]

Great looking sun-top and a terrific home-made project. I'm motivated to build one myself, so thanks for the idea and the pics.

[tkn1437]

Where did you get all of your material? I saw where someone said they got theirs from harbor freight.

[SoCalJK]

Grommet kit (grommets, punch and seater) and the ball bungies were from Wal-mart. I had the shade cloth but it can be purchased from and home improvement store - Lowes, Home Deport. Cost is around $20 per roll of 6' by 15'.

[KICKER32]

Very cool...Good job

[tkn1437]

Originally Posted by SoCalJK

Grommet kit (grommets, punch and seater) and the ball bungies were from Wal-mart. I had the shade cloth but it can be purchased from and home improvement store - Lowes, Home Deport. Cost is around $20 per roll of 6' by 15'.

Thanks. You did a great job. I plan on making one this weekend.

[SoCalJK]

Thanks for all the positive comments all.

The whole thing only took a couple of hours. Most difficult part is getting the seams pinned on the shade cloth.

One suggestion when cutting is to fold the cloth in half and then measure and cut. This way you get both sides matching