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DJ3A Half Top
Topic Started: Jun 4 2015, 07:37 PM (816 Views)
fredcc
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Wanted soft half top for Dj3a or parts I have doors but need outher parts or
drawings or pictures.
1965 DJ3 CONVERTIBLE In work
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PapaC
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Fred, even though I can't be much help I've decided I want to comment on this thread with some opinions some of which began may or may not be verifiable facts. At least I know that I can't verify all of them 100%.


Soft top DJ's that still have a original top are like rare endangered animals. (Verifiable)

DJ3A DISPATCHERS were available from the dealer with three, no FOUR different styles of soft tops. (Verifiable)

Most of these soft tops have long been rotted away and disposed of along with the doors and hardware. (I'd say true)


DJ3A Soft Tops available were........

1. Open body, tall vented windshield, and tailgate equipped with a half top as shown in this photo.


Posted Image



(I know of NONE of these that still exist in its entirety)


comment: Fred, your lucky you've even got the doors. I also am lucky enough to have a complete set of original door frames with the canvas and zippered clear window....even though I don't even own one of those models

__________________________________________


2. Open bodied, tall vented windshield (not to be confused with a actual ventilating windshield) and a tailgate equipped with a full enclosed original soft top as shown here.


Posted Image

I know of none of these still in existence despite as with the half top I've done a lot of research looking for one. So that's why we can't help you with more pictures or measurements.


______________________________________________________________
3. To keep it short........a true DJ3A Dispatcher convertible consisting of a shorter sportier windshield with a sloped back (or fastback as I like to call it) with a canvas top that releases from the windshield and folds back in its entirety like these pictures.

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Of these that are left, that I know of, only TWO in my opinion still have the complete factory top and hardware

One of those I don't know where it is or who owns it. It has a black convertible top.

The second with what appears to a completely factory original top I actually got to meet and inspect. It has a white convertible top.

There's one more I know of with a sloped convertible top but I BELIEVE (unverified speculation) that it is a upholstery shop made replacement,


I've got two of these convertibles and after three years of looking I finally came up with all of the original hardware needed including door frames and top bows and various fasteners and brackets to complete ONE. Someday when I get farther along I intend to reproduce that top just from looking at pictures and what few measurements I can get.

There's one more too I can't forget about and thats of course the Surreys and Galas. Practically the same DJ but GALAS were for export only

Again keeping it short those had quite a few unique features including a very colorful (as their main market was to resorts) striped top. A search will bring up quite a few very nice photos of those as I believe there are better examples of them that have been taken very good care of or restored over the years due to their uniqueness.

I wish I could be more help and I wish even I had real photos of open bodied di's with either a full or half top.

If you do ever find or reproduce one please let me know for my own records and like you any photos of original tops would be much appreciated.


Thanks
Charles
Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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SteveK
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I found my 62 Half-Top Dispatcher with tall vented windshield, without material, but did have the complete doors that Charles now has, and the frame work. The frame is made up of standard framework as the Full-Top minus the rear bow. There are two side round bars that bolt on between the front bow and the windshield onto flat brackets at each end to stabilize it. There is a center bar with a downward flat end that slips down into a loop welded onto the windshield frame. I'll have to look at the bow to see how the rear end fastened. There is a channel welded onto the front of the windshield frame that the top has a rigid edge in the seam that slides into it first with top upside down, and then the top flips back over the windshield to the rear of the bow frame, and and then a seam there forms an arch piece of material to shape it down to the sides, where the bows slide into welded on brackets on the tub fender well.

I believe there is a thread of a guy that makes/made tops showing the process somewhere in the CJ3B section. The frame pieces are available, or used to be, thru various suppliers for the Half-Top and Full top. The bows are in three pieces each. Two vertical pieces with curves, and the center piece. Foot Loops are located on the fender well, and for the rear section on the floor in the recessed areas to hold down and tighten the fabric and window via straps, and the rear center section with a vinyl window is zippered into the arch to enclose the top.

For the doors, there is a slide channel welded on the windshield frame ends and two additional pieces bolt on slide brackets on the body for the front folding section of the door frames to operate and seal the opening. Pivot brackets are screwed into the top of the windshield frame for upper pins on door frames, and brackets are screwed onto the top of the entry arch of the body for the lower pins of the doors. Charles has mine and should be able to show you those if needed. I say all of this as I do not know what you already have and are aware of. Hope it helps. BTW, I know there is a picture or two of a CJ3A with a Half-Top which is the same as a Dj on this site somewhere. I have them, but can't post pics. Sorry.

EDIT: I found that a footman type loop is also welded on the lower front of the center top bow, so that makes the center round rod have a 90 degree front flat bend down ward into the loop on the windshield, and at the rear another flat end area bent downward and then curve back to fit in the loop and under the frame, no bolts or screws at either end. (I modified mine to use as a hood brace so I can't show you the original design.) The center bar stabilizes the frame and helps prevent sag in the top from rain weight to assist drainage.

I sent Charles some pics of Half Tops, and you'll see the rear window size varies in the pics. I remember my uncle's (mine now) having a bigger rear window area than those in the pics, but I also remember fitting in behind the steering wheel wheel back then too....so maybe things just 'seemed bigger'???
SteveK
62 Dispatcher
South Florida
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PapaC
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Thanks for the help Steve. If you can re-locate or find the pictures you referenced let me know or send them to me and I'll be glad to post them here.

Charles
Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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SteveK
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FYI...I put in an "edit" above that doesn't seem to show as a 'recent entry'.

2nd EDIT:
From looking at some of the pics I found of Half Tops and Full Tops, I just noticed that I am missing the two vertical rods that go from the two threaded holes in the tub up to the round support rod with a bracket with a hole, welded on, for the vertical rod to go thru, and that all supports the top's doorway front edge, as well as the door latch.

All complete, there are eight pieces to the top's frame, and six door brackets, plus the 2 door frames and top material. Sorry I didn't catch everything first try.
SteveK
62 Dispatcher
South Florida
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PapaC
Papac
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Four of the 13 pictures of half tops as provided by Steve.


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Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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fredcc
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Guy's Thanks for all the info. It will be a daily driver. 26800 Mile barn find
I have been working on it for 5 mounts and I am ready to use it.



https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=6ABA3...thint=folder%2c
1965 DJ3 CONVERTIBLE In work
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