A question about how to attach the fiberglass top to the windshield.

[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.

 

[jstanger]

Which way did you install the rivets? I've seen pictures and videos of folks installing the rivets that have the mushroom top of the rivet on the gelcoat side of the fiberglass top. I've seen other pictures and videos where they installed the mushroom cap of the rivet so that the rivet goes in underneath the top. Very confusing. Any wisdom, here?