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Identifying CJ5 Hard Top

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4.6K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  bob4703  
#1 ·
Hi guys and gals, I just finished restoring a 76 CJ5. It had a fiberglass hard top and doors with it, and I'd like to restore them to their former glory as well; and so I won't get rained on. I've done some research, but I can't seem to find the brand of it. At first I thought it was ACME, but it doesn't have the glass in the lower section the doors, and the rear doesn't match either. Above the rear glass is says "CLASSIC". Any help in identifying the brand would be much appreciated. I believe it was bought in the early 80s.
 

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#5 ·
Still a nice looking top.

As with any top for the cj5, the original manufacturer is probably out of business or no one remembers manufacturing them. You are going to have to do your best at restoring what parts you have on there.
What are you looking for? Hinges for the rear hatch?

Looks to be in very good shape though. Should be easy to fix up.
 
#6 ·
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Got your PM @Coltonator22, but unfortunately I do not have any additional info on this top; however, I have definitely seen the 'Classic' badge and this door/window style before.

Good luck and please share your progress in the 'Acme Hardtop' thread, as it is the largest collection of CJ-5 hardtop info on the web.

.
 
#7 ·
#8 ·
I have nearly identical top & doors the PO bought for the rig (81 CJ5), but found the top is not correct as the CJ5 is supposed to have the door latch on the top and not body? And doors look the same too (shaped to fit body contour), but wrong latch location as I would need to add latch pin on the body, about where your hip slides out of the seat to get in/out. Not doing that :/
So, looking to sell my current top & doors, and find correct setup like in pic 1 example (not mine). I remember reading my '81 should have "Murphy" latches? The same as most farm implements with enclosed cabs used to use back in the day, before modern enclosures? The rest of the pics are my rig showing top & doors that do not match, and doors do not latch (tarp strap only for driveway use)
 

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#10 ·
Other pics.....timed out writing response :/
 

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#20 ·
Such a nice top but why put a latch right were your butt slides over the hump.

I’d rather use rare earth magnets to keep the door shut than put a latch there.

Those “ Murphy” latches are still available from Eberhard.
When we first acquired the 74 CJ5 a friend described a CJ5 as a "wallet grabber." I've since learned the dual meaning of that phrase.

A Jeep friend has a repair/restoration shop and a hillside of old Jeeps that are a source for used parts and projects. The last time I was there he showed me a FG top with a Jeep/AMC sticker with a part number. It was a dealer option. It was very close to the ACME top and the doors didn't have the lower window. Is there a or has there been a label on the passenger side bottom rear next to the liftgate?
 
#12 ·
And my top does not have any identification anywhere on it!
 
#13 ·
If you look close at the doors I have, the latch is down where the hump is, and not up by the top. Doors fit something else but not this body/top combo.
 
#14 ·
And I would need to modify the doors & top to fit the Murphy latches. Hate to bugger things together, and would rather sell these and find the correct setup, so it is right the first time :)
 
#17 ·
Yuuuup.....nooooo.....trouble enough sliding in/out, and all I need is get belt/belt loop caught...then hanging most literally by the seat of my pants off the side of the truck with no hope of rescue :/
Also, body is so narrow, not even sure I could mount a latch pin on that body, where the door would need to line up and latch. If it would mount, not sure it would last long as body would take a beating and fear it would bust the little metal that is there for support.
 
#18 ·
Possibly true, and that is what I do not have, a top with a latch strike on it for the door. On the one pic of my rig showing the top on drivers side, and compare it with the 1st pic as an example, that little hole is an anchor point for the top to mount on the truck. My current top does not have that, and I don't think there again is enough support to even mount a latch plate that would receive the door properly, without breaking the fiberglass away after awhile!