Installation Manual

ManualsBrandsBestop ManualsAutomotiveBestop 51405-01 Black Crush Tigertop Complete Replacement Soft Top with Clear Windows; Includes Doors for 1955-1975 Jeep CJ5 & 1951-1962 M38A1

51405 1

Rev. B 1298

WARNING

This product is designed primarily to enhance the ap-

pearance of the vehicle and to shield the occupants

from ordinary weather conditions. Do not rely in any

way on the components of this product to contain

occupants within the vehicle, or to protect against

injury or death in the event of an accident. This top will

not protect the occupants from falling objects. Never

operate vehicle in excess of manufacturer’s specifica-

tions.

WEAR SEAT BELTS AT ALL TIMES

Read and follow, precisely, all installation instructions

provided when installing top. Failure to do so may result

in a poor fitting top and could place occupants of the

vehicle in a potentially dangerous situation.

Installation Tips

Before you begin installing this top assembly,

read all instructions thoroughly. Below are a few

tips to make this installation easier.

For a smooth fit:

For ease in installation, the top should be

installed at temperatures above 72° F. Below

this temperature, the top may contract an inch

or more, making it difficult to fit to the vehicle.

It is normal for a top to contract and wrinkle

when stored in the shipping carton. Within a

few days after the installation, the top will relax

and the wrinkles will disappear.

Installation Instructions

For: CJ5 (1955 - 1975) and M38, A1 (1951 - 1971)

Part Number 51405

Summary of content (16 pages)

PAGE 1
by InstallationInstructions For: CJ5 (1955 - 1975) and M38, A1 (1951 - 1971) Part Number 51405 WARNING Installation Tips This product is designed primarily to enhance the appearance of the vehicle and to shield the occupants from ordinary weather conditions. Do not rely in any way on the components of this product to contain occupants within the vehicle, or to protect against injury or death in the event of an accident. This top will not protect the occupants from falling objects.
PAGE 2
All Fasteners Shown at Actual Size Parts List and Hardware Identification Top Fabric Door - Right Door - Left Buckle Straps Qty - 1 Qty - 1 Qty - 1 Qty - 2 #10 x 1/2" Pan Head Sheet Metal Screw, Qty - 12, Part Number 1.92 Upper Door Hinge - Left, Qty - 1, Part Number 1.37 #10-24 Truss Head Machine Screw Black, Qty - 12, Part Number 195.92 Upper Door Hinge - Right, Qty - 1, Part Number 1.36 #10 x 1/2" Oval Head Phillips Screw, Qty - 4, Part Number 155.
PAGE 3
Windshield Adjustment Tools Needed 3/32", 5/32", 3/8" Drill Bits and Drill Motor Center Punch Pencil Utility Knife Chalk Warning: Improper windshield adjustment will result in poor fitting top and doors, causing looseness or undue strain on the top. Flat Screwdriver Phillips Screwdriver Hammer Adjustable Wrench 10' Tape Measure 7/16" Wrench Windshield Measurement Before installing the top, check the windshield measurement.
PAGE 4
Step One Measure 37 1/4" and 38 1/4" along the top edge of the body from the rear corner. Mark these locations with a pencil. Center punch and drill a 3/8" hole in each location. Install a Vertical Mount and a Vertical Retainer Mount with the Vertical Retainer Mount on top. Secure them in place with two 5/16-18 x 1" Phillips Head Bolts, two 5/16" Washers and two 5/16" Tapping Plates.
PAGE 5
Step Three Install the Footman Loops on the rear corners of the vehicle. Center the loops over the Phillips Head Bolt on the top, rear corner on each side of the vehicle. Use the loop as a template to mark, center punch and drill two 5/32" holes. Install the Footman Loop with two #10 x 1/2" Oval Head Phillips Screws. Do this on both sides of the vehicle. Caution: When drilling in the top edge of the vehicle body, check underneath for wiring for the rear lights.
PAGE 6
Step Five CJ5 and M38A1 vehicles will use the existing Door Channels and Door Hinges. If, for some reason, the channels have been removed, install the Door Channels and Door Hinges in the parts kit. Orient the Door Channels with the "tails" down and the flat surface toward the inside of the vehicle. Install the Door Channels in the existing holes using four #10 x 1/2" Pan Head Sheet Metal Screws for each side. Install the Door Hinges in the existing holes, using the existing bolts (or screws).
PAGE 7
Step Seven Locate the top and orient it on the vehicle. Drape the top over the bows and insert the reinforced edge of the top into windshield retainer. Center the front of the deck on the vehicle so that it is an equal distance from the top of the windshield flange on both sides. Locate the Buckle Straps in the parts kit. Wrap each strap around the corners of the Rear Bow and snap the straps to themselves. These straps will hold down the Rear Bow when the Rear Curtain and Side Panels are rolled up.
PAGE 8
IMPORTANT The following steps are extremely important to the fit of the top and will require two people. Make sure that the top is as warm as possible before continuing with the installation. Note: If the top is extremely tight, slip the tab into the bottom hole. The top will loosen up after a few hours in the sun. Then the tab may be moved up into a higher hole position. Step Nine Close the zippers on the Rear Curtain.
PAGE 9
Step Eleven Slide the Rear Bow up on the Front Bow and insert the small bent tab into the third hole from the bottom in the Front Bow. Rear Bow Front Bow Insert tab into third hole Step Thirteen Install the remaining Body Studs on the Side Panels and the Tailgate. Alternate from side to side as you install the studs. Snap the top to each new stud to keep the tension on the top spread evenly. Step Twelve Important At the bottom of the Rear Curtain, there is a flap with five snaps.
PAGE 10
Step Fourteen Thread the Buckle Straps, on the Rear Bow, through the Footman Loops. Pull them up and thread them through the buckle. Thread Buckle Straps through Footman Loops Hook and Loop Fastener Front Bow Step Fifteen Front Wrap fabric flap on the front of the side curtain around the Vertical Rod (not the front bow) and fasten the hook and loop strips to each other. Vertical Rod 51405 10 View from inside vehicle Driver's Side Rev.
PAGE 11
Step Seventeen Locate the snap on each front corner of the top, above the windshield. Pull the fabric forward and down to eliminate wrinkles and mark the locations of the Body Studs. Center punch and drill a 3/32" hole at each location. Install a Body Stud with a #6 x 3/8" Sheet Metal Screw. Install Body Studs Note: For best possible installation, check to make sure that the soft top is perfectly centered on the vehicle.
PAGE 12
Step Eighteen Locate the pre-cut "X" in the door panel where the Paddle Handle will fit into the mounting plate on the door frame. Fold the pre-cut fabric back and insert the Paddle Handle into the mounting plate so that the latch mechanism is inside of the vehicle and the latch bolt is toward the rear of the door. Align the four holes in the Paddle Handle Assembly with the four holes in the mounting plate.
PAGE 13
Step Nineteen Hold the door at a 90° angle from the body of the vehicle. Start the flap of fabric at the front of the door into the bottom of the door channel. Slide the door fabric up until you can work the Upper Door Pivot into the Door Hinge. Continue sliding the door up until the Lower Door Pivot can be slipped into the hole in the bottom of the door opening on the vehicle. Lower the door into the hole. Repeat this procedure with the other door.
PAGE 14
Step Twenty-one Close the door against the body and place the Door Striker behind the Paddle Handle Latch with the flat surface to the inside of the vehicle and with the raised end toward the top. Install the Door Striker on the Vertical Retainer Mount with two #10-24 Truss Head Machine Screws and two #10-24 Locknuts. The Door Striker may be adjusted in or out until you are satisfied with the way the door shuts and opens. Repeat on both sides of the vehicle.
PAGE 15
Adjusting the Top Rear Curtain To roll up the Rear Curtain, start at the bottom and roll it to the inside. Avoid wrinkles in the fabric and window. Secure it in place with the curtain straps inside of the top. Warning: When operating the vehicle with the rear window open, one or more door windows should be open for proper ventilation. Detail of Rear Curtain Folding the Top Down Strap Rear Window Curtain Up Unsnap the Rear and Side Curtains and open the Rear Curtain zippers.
PAGE 16
Care and Maintenance of your Bestop Top Your top is made of the finest materials available. To keep it looking new and for the maximum possible wear, it will need periodic cleaning and maintenance. Washing: The top fabric should be washed often using soap, warm water and a soft bristle brush. Rinse with clear water to remove all traces of soap. Windows: Keep windows clean to avoid scratching. DO NOT use a brush on the windows! Wash with a watersoaked cloth or sponge and a mild dishwashing detergent.