Bestop 1950, CJ3A, 1951 User Manual

by

Installation Instructions and Owner's Manual

Model: CJ3A, 1949-1953 and M38, 1950-1951 Part Number 51403

Congratulations on your purchasing decision. Bestop designed this Convertible Top to give you years of dependability and performance with
proper care. If you encounter any problems during the installation of your Convertible Top, or at any later date, please contact your authorized
Bestop dealer or call our Consumer Response Department, Monday - Friday 8AM-4:30PM (MST) at 1-800-346-3910 or [phone]
in Colorado.

Note: Please read this manual thoroughly before beginning the installation.

After completing installation, keep this manual for future reference.

Fig. 2

CJ3A, 1949-1953

M38, 1950-1951

6"

Fig. 3

CJ3B, 1953-1964

10 1/2"

22 1/2"

Windshields are sometimes
interchanged on older
model vehicles. The
vehicle's windshield and
body style are the key
factors that determine which
convertible top model
number fits a particular
vehicle. These diagrams will
help you identify your
vehicle to determine which
top you need.

Fig. 1

CJ2A, 1946-1948 A: 25"

MB, 1941-1945 A: 23"

A 27"

6"

Fig. 1 & 2 These models have interchangeable windshields. Regardless of vehicle model number, style of windshield determines

which top will fit the vehicle.
CJ2A and MB models have a windshield frame of round tubular steel. Frame corners are square, glass is in two pieces.
CJ3A and M38 models have a frame made of rectangular steel tubing with rounded corners and a one piece windshield glass.

Fig. 3 The CJ3B has a higher hood than older models. The windshield is made of rectangular steel tubing with one piece glass.

Warning:

This product is designed primarily to enhance the appearance of the vehicle. 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 specifications.

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.

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51403 1

Before You Install

You may notice some wrinkling in the fabric of your Convertible Top when you first remove it from its shipping container.
Also, there may be indentations in the windows. Don’t Panic. It is normal for the tops to do this when stored in the ship­ping container. The wrinkles and indentations will disappear after 48-72 hours of exposure to sunlight.

Note: You should install your Convertible Top in temperatures of 70° F (21° C) or warmer. The fabric will contract in cooler
temperatures, making proper installation difficult.

You are now ready to begin the installation process.

Installation: Getting Started

Note: Two people are required for installation.

Make sure that the temperature where you are going to install your Convertible Top is at least 70° F (21° C). If it is cooler
than this outside, we suggest that you install your top in a heated garage. Do not try to install your Convertible Top in
temperatures less than 70° F (21° C) because proper installation will not be possible.

Tools You Will Need

[] A flat head screwdriver [] An adjustable wrench
[] A phillips head screwdriver [] A hammer
[] A tape measure [] A center punch
[] 1 ea. 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" and 3/8" [] A pencil

drill bits and a power drill [] A piece of chalk

Unpacking: What You Have

Important - Please Read

Even though Bestop has taken every possible precaution to include all the parts necessary to install your Convertible Top,
sometimes pieces are unintentionally left out. DO NOT RETURN YOUR CONVERTIBLE TOP. Immediately contact
Bestop at 1(800)346-3910 or, in Colorado, at [phone]. We will then be able to forward the necessary part to you or
have you contact a local distributor to ensure the most expedient service.

Carefully remove the parts from the shipping container to avoid scratching the windows. Check each part against the
following Parts List.

USE ONLY PARTS THAT COME WITH THIS TOP, SINCE OLD PARTS MAY NOT MATCH.

Notice: Models CJ3A and use existing windshield channels, upper door hinges. If these original parts have been

removed, order part number:

256.82 Windshield Channel, Qty. 2.

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51403 2

Parts List and Hardware Identification

Bow Assembly - Right,
Qty - 1, PN 242.52

Buckle Strap Assembly,
Qty - 2, PN 243.61

Bow Assembly - Left,
Qty - 1, PN 242.53

Check off each item

CJ 3A Front Door Channel,
Left, Qty - 1, PN 186.76

#10 x 1/2" Small Pan
Head Phillips Screw,
Qty - 10, PN 1.92

Threaded Body Stud,
Qty - 4, PN 151.81

5/16-18 x 1" Phillips
Machine Screw,
Qty - 4, PN 236.20

#10 x 1/2" Oval Head
Phillips Screw, Qty - 4,
PN 155.49

#14 x 1/2" Pan Head
Phillips Screw, Qty - 8,
PN 243.47

#6 Sheet Metal Screw,
3A Qty - 24,
PN 9.69

Left

Upper Left & Right Door Hinges,
Qty - 1 ea., PN 1.37 & 1.36

Handle Kit, Packaged together, PN 185.23

Inside Door Handle,
Qty - 1 Left, 1Right

Outside Door
Handle, Qty - 2

Right

Top Fabric Qty - 1
Door - Right Qty - 1
Door - Left Qty - 1

CJ 3A Front Door Channel,
Right, Qty - 1, PN 186.75

5/16-18 Tapped
Plate, Qty - 4,
PN 200.50

Plastic Handle Covers,
Qty - 2 each 2 1/2"
long, 2 each 3 3/8" long

7/16" Plastic
Washer, Qty - 4

Vertical Rod Bracket ­Right, Qty - 1, PN

229.24

Lower Door Hinge,
Qty - 2, PN 12.41

Body Stud, Qty - 24,
PN 9.68

Vertical Rod Bracket ­Left, Qty - 1, PN

229.25

5/16" Black Washer,
Qty - 4, PN 233.04

#10-32 Hex Nut,
Qty - 4,
PN 151.82

Black Footman Loop,
Qty - 2,
PN 272.29

Because of Generic Packaging, extra parts may be included.

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51403 3

Installing your Convertible Top

Regardless of what type of hardware you currently have on your vehicle, it is extremely important that you only use the hardware found
in this Convertible Top kit. This Convertible Top cannot be used with your existing hardware.

Windshield Adjustment

This is the first step you must take in the installation process and it is also the most
important one. Improper windshield adjustment results in poor fitting of both the top and
the doors, as well as misalignment of snaps.

Step One

Measure and record the distance from the top inside edge of the windshield to the rear
inside edge of the vehicle body (see Figure 1), not the tailgate. Take the measurement
from approximately six inches inside the vehicle’s doors. Check to make sure that both
sides measure equally. To install this top properly, this measurement must be 66 1/2

inches.

Figure 1

Inside of

Loosen lock nuts on
Windshield Mounting
Bracket

windshield

WILLY'S

Step Two

If necessary, adjust your windshield by loosening the screws in the Windshield Mounting
Bracket and by loosening the Windshield Clamps and adjusting the clamp bracket (see
Figure 1). You may then lean the windshield forward or back as necessary. Use a shim to
fix the windshield in place if it remains loose after you tighten the screws.

66 1/2"

Rear point of
measurement
on body

Inside of
windshield

6"

66 1/2"

Windshield
Clamp Detail

Loosen screws in clamp
bracket and slide bracket up
or down to adjust. You may
have to place a shim between
the windshield and the body.

Inside edge
of body

6"

The Mounting Assembly

This section will lead you through the installation of the various pieces that make up your
Convertible Top hardware system.

Vertical Retainer Mounts

CAUTION: Installation of the Vertical Retainer Mounts involves drilling in the top edge of

the vehicle body. Check under the body edge at the marked locations. There may be
wiring for the rear lights. If so, pull the wiring out of the way before drilling.

Step One

Measure 33 1/2 inches and 34 1/2 inches along the top edge of the body from the outside
rear of the body (see Figure 2). Mark these locations with a pencil on the top edge of the
body. Center punch the marked locations and drill a 3/8 inch hole at each location (see
Figure 2). Install the mounts using two 5/16-18 x 1" Phillips Head Bolts, two Washers and
two 5/16-18 Tapped Plates. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side of the vehicle.
The mounts may need to be loosened later to adjust the Vertical Retainer position.

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