dualmatic top hardware |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
dandjeep
Member Joined: 11 June 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Status: Offline Points: 145 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 27 Sep. 2021 at 7:11pm |
Need some help! I recently acquired a new to me Bestop Dualmatic top in very good condition. The previous owner said it came off a '47 like mine. He sold the Jeep 20 some years ago and it has been accumulating dust in a corner of his garage ever since. I have had a Tiger top on mine before but it went the route by mistake years ago. Anyway, the problem is he couldn't find the hardware for the tub to bow brackets. I have the channels for the windshield and doors. It seems that the snaps are different locations also. The question is, does anyone have either pictures or dimensions for these brackets? I just need the angle bracket and the two straps that join the bows together. Also the bracket locations if different than a tiger top. Who knows. I called Bestop with no help whatsoever. If anyone can help with these it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! Dan
|
|
47 cj2a #136749 Warn O/D 03 Rubicon |
|
Fltfndr
Member Joined: 01 Nov. 2013 Location: Clive, IA Status: Offline Points: 793 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Dualamatic was a brand of Husky Products back in the 70s, competitor of Bestop. I am currently trying to install a Tiger top on my 2A with a 3A winshield and having nothing but problems. I previously had a Kayline on it. A great top but sadly no longer available
Fltfndr
|
|
Fltfndr
1948 CJ2A Restomod "Six Pac" The object of war is not to die for your country, but make the other bastard die for his. George S. Patton |
|
Rus Curtis
Member Joined: 25 Mar. 2010 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 1733 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Dan, Who knows, as deep as the experience is here, someone may have one of these. I googled and found out info I didn't know.
That merger discussed here until JohnnyC gets on and adds
details: Need
info on Bestop Dualmatic soft top??? | IH8MUD Forum
I found similar info on other forums but all
about the same. There was a merger and then it apparently it
dissolved. So is a BesTop Dualmatic and a BesTop the same or different?
Then Dave drops a large one back in 2019 that I
had not seen: Bestop
Manufacturing Company | eWillys
This took a while to read through - good links
to follow down the rabbit hole.
I noticed on the Husky and BesTop illustrations
that the tops were very square - like the canvas tops that would sit on the original
bows. The illustrations appear to
have "convertable" type bows but also display a replacement top for the original bows that would fit in the tub
sockets.
I have a BesTop from the late 70's (don't remember any mention of Dualmatic then). I'll add that by the time my '70's top was made, they'd simplified that patented front channel locking system to just a strip of plastic sewn into the fabric. I also eventually bought a used newer one (I believe this is the current one offered) to compare and they are different. So, depending on your newly acquired top, its shape (I'm thinking the side curtain and rear curtain mostly) may help figure out the bows you need measurements for. Also if you have the doors you can compare those to what's posted on those earliest tops as that may also help differentiate. My early BesTop (and the later one) both had lower windows on the bottom half of the door.
If your top has the typical soft top shape, the
early bows I have may be the same. If
your top has those older more classic shapes from the adds on ewillys, I'm sure
the rear bow will be longer.
On my older top (believe the same for the newer
top) the front bow rests under the midseam on the fabric and the rear is at the
rear seam.
I can't remember if there was ever a strap
between bows but I noticed that the front bow was pinned down from the fabric
tension and forced against the top door rod (connects to the w/s frame) so the front bow didn't move. It does have two short
straps w/ snaps that secured the fabric to the rear bow - so it kept the rear bow locked in place when the sides/rear were snapped to the tub. The only other straps I remember
were rear bow to the back of the tub (when sides/rear curtains are all rolled up)
to keep the top taut and in place. The pivot bracket may actually be the same dimensions for all of the convertible tops. I can't imagine the bows being much different in diameter which would determine the width of the pivot bracket. I haven't talked with BesTop for quite a while so have no idea if they even offer any hardware as replacement (installation instructions list all the hardware). I did a quick search for old bows and all I saw were very expensive bows for wranglers. Maybe making some would be a smart path. |
|
Rus Curtis
Alabama 1954 CJ3B Bantam T3-C |
|
Rich M.
Member Joined: 03 Oct. 2015 Location: 21757 Status: Offline Points: 185 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have an mid 80's Dualmatic on my 2A. I can snap some pictures when im home.
|
|
dandjeep
Member Joined: 11 June 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Status: Offline Points: 145 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Rus, I have all the hardware except for the mounting brackets to the tub. The windshield channels and door channels I have are from my old Tiger top, so I hope they work. I would think the Tiger top brackets and these would be very close to the same, but who knows. THis top is in very good shape and I'm sure it's an 80's era top. Door and windows are all good so I'm gonna make it work some how. Trial and error if nothing else. I remember that the tiger top brackets were just about a 1X2 angle with two holes in the short side for the tub mount and one hole in the long side for the short bow to bolt to. I believe the longer bow was attached to the short bow by two straps to pivot upward and lock the longer bow in place when the top was raised.
Rich, if you could shoot some pics that would be great! Nothing like some visual help. Thanks!
|
|
47 cj2a #136749 Warn O/D 03 Rubicon |
|
rocnroll
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: Tuscumbia, AL Status: Offline Points: 13562 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Is this what you are looking for?
|
|
'47 CJ2A PU
'48 CJ2A Lefty "Common sense is not that common" |
|
Rus Curtis
Member Joined: 25 Mar. 2010 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 1733 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Those are the brackets I was referring to. Hopefully, that's what Dan is after.
Notice the stagger on the pivot holes so the bows can lay down flat without binding.
|
|
Rus Curtis
Alabama 1954 CJ3B Bantam T3-C |
|
rocnroll
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: Tuscumbia, AL Status: Offline Points: 13562 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Found the other one, so I have two if that's what you are looking for.
|
|
'47 CJ2A PU
'48 CJ2A Lefty "Common sense is not that common" |
|
dandjeep
Member Joined: 11 June 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Status: Offline Points: 145 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I think that must be what I'm after! Don't really know since I haven't seen these before, but it looks right.
If you have extras I'll sure take them and make it right with you! Thanks! I'll PM you! By the way, are the windshield and door channels different than a Tiger top or do you know?
Edited by dandjeep - 28 Sep. 2021 at 5:55pm |
|
47 cj2a #136749 Warn O/D 03 Rubicon |
|
Rich M.
Member Joined: 03 Oct. 2015 Location: 21757 Status: Offline Points: 185 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
rocnroll
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: Tuscumbia, AL Status: Offline Points: 13562 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I'll see if I can get them in the mail tomorrow....so I can see what postage will be.
|
|
'47 CJ2A PU
'48 CJ2A Lefty "Common sense is not that common" |
|
dandjeep
Member Joined: 11 June 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Status: Offline Points: 145 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
rocnroll Thanks again! Really appreciate it!
And Rich, thanks for the pics and location! Edited by dandjeep - 28 Sep. 2021 at 10:08pm |
|
47 cj2a #136749 Warn O/D 03 Rubicon |
|
rocnroll
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: Tuscumbia, AL Status: Offline Points: 13562 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
PM sent.
Parts went out today. |
|
'47 CJ2A PU
'48 CJ2A Lefty "Common sense is not that common" |
|
dandjeep
Member Joined: 11 June 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Status: Offline Points: 145 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks much! Greatly appreciated! Dan
|
|
47 cj2a #136749 Warn O/D 03 Rubicon |
|
dandjeep
Member Joined: 11 June 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Status: Offline Points: 145 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Got 'em! Thanks!
|
|
47 cj2a #136749 Warn O/D 03 Rubicon |
|
dandjeep
Member Joined: 11 June 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Status: Offline Points: 145 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Rich M., just to make sure. This measurement is from a 2a and is from the back outside body for a Dualmatic top?. Correct? I'll have to relocate my roll bar to make this work, but no worries. Thanks.
|
|
47 cj2a #136749 Warn O/D 03 Rubicon |
|
bight
Member Sponsor Member x 2 Joined: 20 Aug. 2020 Location: mid coast maine Status: Offline Points: 1641 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
i do not know if this is at all helpful, but i removed an 80's BesTop and still have some of the parts and instructions. no doors and the top was damaged and converted into a bikini top. i do have 2 pieces of aluminum front track (each is 1/2 across windshield) also.
this is where the bracket was located: Edited by bight - 04 Oct. 2021 at 4:37pm |
|
CJ-2A 72586 tan (stock)
CJ-2A 197624 green (resto-mod) the wife abides (def: to bear patiently; TOLERATE) |
|
bight
Member Sponsor Member x 2 Joined: 20 Aug. 2020 Location: mid coast maine Status: Offline Points: 1641 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
and this little gem:
|
|
CJ-2A 72586 tan (stock)
CJ-2A 197624 green (resto-mod) the wife abides (def: to bear patiently; TOLERATE) |
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |