A question about how to attach the fiberglass top to the windshield. (1 Viewer)

[mlkco]

I made the hardtop roof for my FJ40 from random parts sides and rear fold up tailgate I bought a new fiberglass top.
the method I am using to this point is ,
1. I bolted the new gutters on the sides and welded them then painted them except the front gutters as I'm not sure how to know if I'm missing something.
2. I am trimming the top to fit the gutters and I will drill the holes to rivet the top to the gutters.

My question is after I weld the front gutters to the side gutters and rivet them on what connects the top to the windshield.
I would hope when buying a new fiberglass top, rain gutters and seals there would be some instructions though I guess I should have been born Knowing.
I thank you in advance for any help forthcoming.

Mike

 

[Firemedic831]

The piece you have bolted to the windshield frame gets riveted to the fiberglass top

 

[mlkco]

The piece you have bolted to the windshield frame gets riveted to the fiberglass top

Thanks, That helps

 

[EStein]

I wish I had a photo for you after I attached that front rail, but here is where it attaches. I just bought a cheap pop rivet gun and some pop rivets. Does your cap have holes for the rivets?

 

[mlkco]

I wish I had a photo for you after I attached that front rail, but here is where it attaches. I just bought a cheap pop rivet gun and some pop rivets. Does your cap have holes for the rivets? View attachment 3479523

That help a lot. I've been delaying finishing the build trying to figure it out. Now I will continue

 

[EStein]

I’m not sure if these photos help, but here is some pictures when I was putting the headliner in. You can see the front rail kind of…

 

[youngmanchego]

I made the hardtop roof for my FJ40 from random parts sides and rear fold up tailgate I bought a new fiberglass top.
the method I am using to this point is ,
1. I bolted the new gutters on the sides and welded them then painted them except the front gutters as I'm not sure how to know if I'm missing something.
2. I am trimming the top to fit the gutters and I will drill the holes to rivet the top to the gutters.

My question is after I weld the front gutters to the side gutters and rivet them on what connects the top to the windshield.
I would hope when buying a new fiberglass top, rain gutters and seals there would be some instructions though I guess I should have been born Knowing.
I thank you in advance for any help forthcoming.
View attachment 3479488View attachment 3479489Mike

Edit: I’m dumb I see that you said you used pop rivets

 

[EStein]

Edit: I’m dumb I see that you said you used pop rivets

Yeah, a bunch of rivets came with the gun I bought at Home Depot. I just used whichever ones fit the closest. Not pure by any means.

 

[youngmanchego]

Yeah, a bunch of rivets came with the gun I bought at Home Depot. I just used whichever ones fit the closest. Not pure by any means.

Are you making the flared side face the sky or the road?

 

[EStein]

I’m not sure I understand the question? If you’re talking about the rivet, I pulled from the top side and then filled the little hole with some Bondo…

Flared (disc/flange) part on the top…

 

[youngmanchego]

I’m not sure I understand the question? If you’re talking about the rivet, I pulled from the top side and then filled a little hole with some Bondo…

Gotcha. Thanks!

 

[mlkco]

I’m not sure if these photos help, but here is some pictures when I was putting the headliner in. You can see the front rail kind of…

View attachment 3479528
View attachment 3479606

That helps a lot to see all the views ThankYou

 

[zerotreedelta]

Not a how-to persay, but this has all the re-assembly from when I did my cap - might augment some of the photos and advice above:

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Not a how-to persay, but this has all the re-assembly from when I did my cap - might augment some of the photos and advice above:

Nice Vid…

 

[81fj40]

Couple question for zerotreedelta; what rivets did you use (size etc) and where did you get the rivet set tool?
Thanks!

 

[zerotreedelta]

I just made the tool from a set of vice-grips, it's traveling around from one mud'er to another.

Rain Gutter and Top Restoration

Hello @jvincig01, Did you use butyl tape, or did you find another solution for the gap? Pictures would be appreciated. I am in the same process right now. Thanks. I ended up using butyl tape I picked up on Amazon. Worked out great!

forum.ih8mud.com

I used some rivets from McMaster - I mistakenly ordered flat-top rivets (vs OEM was domed), but they worked just the same. I think the top only needs 80-90 rivets (but only by memory), but they come in boxes of 250.

Rain Gutter and Top Restoration

I'd wager you're ok with just a good cleanwith wax/grease remover, but not sure what other prep you were thinking. The 3M self-leveling seam sealer is pretty "goopy" with a fair bit of surface tension, and it's fairly thick if you fully cover the rivet heads. I suspect you'll be ok even with...

forum.ih8mud.com

McMaster P/N: 97481A125
Aluminum Flat Head Solid Rivets, 1/8" Diameter, for 0.313" Maximum Material Thickness,
Packs of 250

 

[81fj40]

Excellent , thanks!

 

[21NDone]

Adding to the pictures, hope it helps.

 

[OhioFJ]

You can have some of these larger rivets if you want. I used them to join the visor to the cap. They’re solid aluminum; I used an air hammer and bucking bar to install.