installing a factory soft top on a BJ70 (1 Viewer)

[crushers]

for most of us, just owning a BJ70/PZJ70 is a dream. they are very rare and rugged replacement for the venerable 40 series.

when this unit came in from Japan the top was in one piece but the UVs in Japan had taken their toll on the threads. i ordered a new top from Mot (a vender here on the board) and it arrived shortly, well packaged and for a reasonable price.

this is the installation pics that i took while installing it.

this top is very different from the aftermarket tops. the design is second to none. they thought of everything. the top comes with new window hold down bars, new interior trim for the doors. it is VERY complete.
the way the top is folded at the factory makes sure the windows don't get crinkled or cracked dduring shipment.
you start at the front of the vehicle.

 

[crushers]

insert the "rope" into the channel above the windsheild frame making sure the outer trim fabric does not go under the grove and making sure the rope is fed straight in otherwise it binds. if it is not moving freely then stop and check out the progress, you will find something is not where it should be.
also be careful of scratching the paint of the truck as you drag the top from side to side.
then pull the top towards the back and attach the velcro anti flap wraps...

 

[crushers]

then there is the rope with the clips to hold the top to the roll bar. insert these and then snap the side clips.
notice the sealing foam around the back snaps...

 

[crushers]

the top fits snuggly into the rain gutters.

before you lock the rear snap down insert the rope into the slot behind the roll bar and slide it to the bottom.
in hind sight if you undo the window and lay it flat on the top the insertion goes much easier...duh.
then snap the last snap over the door.

 

[crushers]

insert the rear most rope into the recievers inside the rear door access once again making sure it slides easily.

this flap comes all the way around the rear pillar and attaches to the inside for a very snug fit.

now attach the velcro anti flap wraps around the middle bar.

 

[crushers]

this is looking at the rear door opening from the inside, notice the 3 flas that are hanging loose to cover up the metal assembly. these will be installed in a few minutes but must be accessable so make sure they are not stuffed in the wrong area.

the area where the top goes over the rear door has 3 attachment points. the anti flap velcro wraps, the snaps and the inside flap. this makes for a very secure, air tight assembly.

 

[crushers]

the flaps attach to the metal by slipping them over the edges like so...

 

[crushers]

don't forget the small flaps in the upper corners of the door opening. i missed taking the pic but this is where the plastic curved corner covers snap in as decrative trim...
the top is looking tighter.

 

[crushers]

on to the side windows.
you need to slide the new retaining bars into the slot along the bottom of the window. make sure you insert these into the leather tabs at the ends.

then drop the window down over the snap.

the zipper is covered inside and out by fabric to keep the elements away from it.
the zipper tab also has a hole in it and this gets inserted over the steel nipple before you apply the snap to hold it all in place.

 

[crushers]

finally a set of windows you can see through!!

a very nice top that has been well designed and sealed very well.

thanks Mot for getting this over in a safe and speedy manor.

cheers and thanks for following along...

 

[widewestcruiser]

Man, that top looks good, is there a factory top available for a BJ74 with all the hardware, half doors, etc?
Has anyone ordered one from Germany yet?
Sure be fun to take FRP off next summer.

 

[mot]

Wayne,

Thanks for the kind words!

The installation job you've done is superb and the top looks like it fits like a glove!
Nice job!

And thanks again!!

Mot

 

[Island Moose]

Wayne, a bit of silicone spray makes that front bolt rope slide through like a hot-knife through butter.

 

[crushers]

thanks for the tip there Moose, i will have to give that a try next time...
cheers

 

[7775889]

im rebuliding my soft top thnx for the pics it will help me alot.........

 

[crushers]

glad it helped...
cheers

 

[lulo]

I buy and install the same Rag-Top (JAPAN 4x4 Seller)


Thanks for the explanation of assembly