STC soft top / hard door problem

[Blue60]

Finally got the doors rebuilt on my 79 FJ40 (the glass is fun.) After hanging and aligning I put on the soft top and discover I have a problem...cannot close and latch hard doors!

Sorry no picture yet - but wanted to snag a few replies before I start in on it again tomorrow afternoon.

With the softtop there is tube that runs to the windshield frame and attaches to a bracket mounted on the windshield frame. Then there is a tube that runs from the other end and sits vertically in the tub frame post hole (for the hardtop) These two tubes essentially "frame" the door. The problem is that the vertical tube (though shaped to the contour of the rear upper edge of the OEM hard door) is not quite vertical and will not allow me to close and latch the hard door. The top end of the vertical post needs to come back about an inch. Anyone else ever encounter this? My first thought for a possibly solution is just to extend the windshield frame mounted bracket.

If any else has seen this type problem - throw down some ideas!

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Markh]

There is a measurement from the top of the windshield frame to the top of the back of the tub. Check the directions that came with the STC top. If the windshield frame is not leaning back far enough the tubes that make up the upper door frame won't be square.
I'm not sure if this is it but it might be worth a look.

 

[Degnol]

There is a measurement from the top of the windshield frame to the top of the back of the tub. Check the directions that came with the STC top. If the windshield frame is not leaning back far enough the tubes that make up the upper door frame won't be square.
I'm not sure if this is it but it might be worth a look.

X2.....it is in the installation instructions. Like 80 1/4"
Checkit

Ed

 

[Blue60]

Thanks for the replies...problem solved

Measurements on the diagonal IIRC was within less than an inch. This is on a Aqualu tub/cowl...therefore the original door hinge locations do not exist. With door very well aligned with tub and windshield angle to match door I needed to do two things to allow the soft top to fit the contour of the rear edge of the hard doors.

(1) Offset the "T" bracket which support the vertical post and the two horizontal tubes along the top of the soft top. I made a 1/2" offset inboard relative to the vertical support for the horizontal tube running to the windshield frame.

(2) Added a 1" spacer to bracket on the windshield frame which holds the horizontal tube over the hard door top window frame.

P/S door closes very nicely with good seal...driver side has good seal but closes a little tougher...minor tweaking (increase offset) may be in the future if things don't shift and seat after a few miles at highway speeds.

Pictures once I get my star again...

Cheers,

Dave