I used to have a web site about making the OEM soft top front bow from OEM hard top sides, but my ISP took it down and I don't remember where I put the back up for the html code. I didn't think that there was any interest in doing this anymore because of commercially available reproduction bow sets, but a number of people have been asking about it, so I thought I would just do a thread on the subject using the same pictures.
The objective is to make the OEM soft top front bow from OEM hard top B pillar and the strip that goes over the door to the windshield.
Materials:
1. OEM hard top sides with the metal strip that goes over the doors.
2. 1.5 inch 16ga angle stock (6 feet)
3. 5/8 inch 16ga HREW square tube (10 feet)
4. 1 inch diameter 16ga HREW tube (6 feet)
5. 2 inch radius 90 degree mandrel bends in 1 inch 16 ga tube. (2)
Steps:
1. The 5/8 square tube is used to make the C channel that retains the edge of the top fabric. The fabric ends in a loop that slides into the C channel and then it is locked in place by sliding a 1/4 inch metal rod into the fabric loop. You make the C channel by cutting a 1/8 inch slot on one edge of the tube and smoothing and deburring the cut edge with a grinder. I cut the slot using an abrasive metal blade in a radial arm saw. You could also cut it manually with a cut off tool.
The objective is to make the OEM soft top front bow from OEM hard top B pillar and the strip that goes over the door to the windshield.
Materials:
1. OEM hard top sides with the metal strip that goes over the doors.
2. 1.5 inch 16ga angle stock (6 feet)
3. 5/8 inch 16ga HREW square tube (10 feet)
4. 1 inch diameter 16ga HREW tube (6 feet)
5. 2 inch radius 90 degree mandrel bends in 1 inch 16 ga tube. (2)
Steps:
1. The 5/8 square tube is used to make the C channel that retains the edge of the top fabric. The fabric ends in a loop that slides into the C channel and then it is locked in place by sliding a 1/4 inch metal rod into the fabric loop. You make the C channel by cutting a 1/8 inch slot on one edge of the tube and smoothing and deburring the cut edge with a grinder. I cut the slot using an abrasive metal blade in a radial arm saw. You could also cut it manually with a cut off tool.