1971 FJ40 Hardtop alignment issues (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Aug 12, 2017
Threads
15
Messages
162
Location
Bellingham
I’ve tried searching but haven’t had much luck with troubleshooting the fit of the front of my hardtop. I purchased this 40 about 18 months ago and took the top immediately off and didn’t bother putting it back on until yesterday. I’m dealing with gaps and alignment issues at the top of the doors and the windshield. Any input would be appreciated.

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Where is your bracket ?
 
Do you have the small brackets that bolt to windshield frame and the door headers?
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The front door headers are 2 piece. You do have the other half, correct?

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I’ve tried searching but haven’t had much luck with troubleshooting the fit of the front of my hardtop. I purchased this 40 about 18 months ago and took the top immediately off and didn’t bother putting it back on until yesterday. I’m dealing with gaps and alignment issues at the top of the doors and the windshield. Any input would be appreciated.

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Last picture in your first post can see the headliner is between two pieces. That is not stock and with that rivot would say something has been modified on the top cap. That may be part of your problem.
 
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I have the brakes and these spacers. Should I just try pushing it into place and tightening it down?
 
what is your windscreen angle like and top front ends of the fiberglass roof where it bolts to the screen surround
 
Living in the past noticed the headliner was tucked under the lids cross brace. I wonder if the PO moved it?

Center of middle rivet to outer edge of lip is 5 1/16”
Measured in a straight line to lip
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2nd rivet in is just under 4 1/2” to lip
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If those “spacers” were there before you took the top off 18 months ago then something has been modified and/or your top doesn’t match the rest of the rig. You’ll need to post a set of pics of the complete top and rig to get adequate help.
 
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Living in the past noticed the headliner was tucked under the lids cross brace. I wonder if the PO moved it?

Center of middle rivet to outer edge of lip is 5 1/16”
Measured in a straight line to lip
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2nd rivet in is just under 4 1/2” to lipView attachment 1849343

My middle rivet is closer to 6”. The top seems from the rear of the vehicle to the door posts but from there forward something is definitely wrong.

I can’t seem to get any good photos inside my garage this morning so I’ll have to get it out for a drive later.
 
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Could someone tell me the measurement from the top of the B Pilar to the two holes for the L bracket on the windshield? It appears my wind screen has been moved back which would make you think this gap should not be there.
 
I think someone moved, replaced or made the metal header going across the top of the fiberglass where it meets at the windshield frame. Does the metal header slip over the windshield frame and bolt onto the w/s frame from outside? It should. A couple of your riviet pics shows the current existing rivet with a filled rivet hole closer to the frt edge of the fiberglass cap. The metal header should be attached directly to the fiberglass cap, not thru the headliner material. I don't recall there being a rubber molding going across the top of the w/s frame or the metal header, but I could be wrong.
 
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I agree that this hard top has been modified. There should be no spacers and the white header piece with rubber molding should not be there stock. I just took a pic but my rig is in the garage and it’s a little dark. I would be interested in what the front looks like where it mounts to windshield. If you need I can take a better pic tomorrow.
 
It’s craby that this thread is here. II have a similar issue and was planning on starting a thread for help. The front of my hardtop is raised up. Can anyone tell me what you think my issue is. I think the header that connects to the windshield is either the wrong one or in the wrong location. Please tell me your thoughts. I don’t mean to hijack this thread. I think it may help solve the other issue.

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It’s craby that this thread is here. II have a similar issue and was planning on starting a thread for help. The front of my hardtop is raised up. Can anyone tell me what you think my issue is. I think the header that connects to the windshield is either the wrong one or in the wrong location. Please tell me your thoughts. I don’t mean to hijack this thread. I think it may help solve the other issue.

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View attachment 1851452 I agree that this hard top has been modified. There should be no spacers and the white header piece with rubber molding should not be there stock. I just took a pic but my rig is in the garage and it’s a little dark. I would be interested in what the front looks like where it mounts to windshield. If you need I can take a better pic tomorrow.
View attachment 1851452 I agree that this hard top has been modified. There should be no spacers and the white header piece with rubber molding should not be there stock. I just took a pic but my rig is in the garage and it’s a little dark. I would be interested in what the front looks like where it mounts to windshield. If you need I can take a better pic tomorrow.
@Warloc could you let me know the measurement from the L bracket/windshield to the B Pilar? I know my windscreen is incorrect and isn’t in the stock location after working on it last night. I am however trying to make sure my windshield frame is sitting in the correct spot. As you can the pieces of the top are about an inch from hitting the windshield even though everything from the B Pilar back is correct.
 
Did you loosen the locking bolts at the back of the door openings where the long metal tubes go in just behind the door latch. Should be a 10 or 12 mm bolt. I have seen many a person have a really hard time with this just due to the bolt being in a little too far.
 
Did you loosen the locking bolts at the back of the door openings where the long metal tubes go in just behind the door latch. Should be a 10 or 12 mm bolt. I have seen many a person have a really hard time with this just due to the bolt being in a little too far.

I had all bolts out from the top of the B pillar forward. All the holes on the rain gutter line up and the front of the hardtop appears to be roughly at the right spot but I feel like the distance from the top of the door pillar to the windshield of off. The gap on the second photo shows that the gap is about an inch at the top which I would think is a door adjustment accept the top comes up short of connecting to the windshield.

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