CJ7 vs. TJ Tonneau Cover

[OldSailor]

I have a 1977 CJ7, but the roll bar (which has since had a roll cage added to it) is not the usual one seen on a CJ7. The usual one has a straight brace on the hoop that goes rearward and downward at a 45-degree angle.

However, the braces on my rollbar look like an inverted "L". The picture below shows the brace fairly clearly:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk63/OldSailor_photos/Cage-15.jpg?t=1217637865

I installed that rollbar when I got rid of the previous roll cage when I changed over from a steel body to a fiberglass body. The rollbar was purchased from an aftermarket source. Recently, I had a roll cage fabricaated and installed by Ironman Offroad.

Here's the problem:

During the Winter, I run the CJ7 with a Bestop Supertop isntalled. At other times, I run with just a bikini top installed and the bottom half of the soft doors. On days when it rains, the back of the Jeep, with it's storage boxes, gets a lot of water. So I want to get one of those tonneau covers that cover up the back end. I've been looking at ones made by Bestop and sold by FWDH.

The problem is, because of my weird roll bar braces, the tonneau covers made for a CJ7 won't fit. The "normal" CJ7 roll bar brace enters the rear section at a position that is more forward than where my braces enter the rear area.

I've looked at a TJ with a tonneau cover on it. The TJ roll braces came off of the roll bar at a higher level (almost at the top), but they entered the rear area of the Jeep at about the same point where my braces enter it at the rear corners. The owner of the TJ, who I spoke with briefly, said that his tonneau cover fastened to the edges of the rear area just like his Bestop SuperTop did.

So, my question is... Could I use a tonneau cover designed for a TJ on my CJ7? I know the roll bar braces would be in the same general position, but my concern is about the actual size of the "bed" of the TJ compared ot the CJ7.

IOW, is the TJ bed the same width as a CJ7 bed? And is the length of the TJ (from the tailgate to the rollbar) about the same as a CJ7?

Anybody know the answer? Or has anybody here ever installed a TJ tonneau cover on a CJ7?

I'd appreciate any info I could get. thanks.

--Bob

[joe_jeep]

i have no idea if it will work? have you tried a boat shop? they make alot of custom covers? perhaps they could alter a tj cover to fit ya. the yj cover will be the same size as a cj for sure. the tops interchange. the tj would be close i bet. you could call besttop and ask the dimensions of each? i bet you could find a used factory roll bar pretty cheap too.
even though yours looks prety cool, like an old land cruiser bar.
good luck

[Renegade II]

http://www.generaltopandtrim.com/index.html

I've known one of the owners for 20+ years, they can make anything. Always top notch work.

[OldSailor]

i have no idea if it will work? have you tried a boat shop? they make alot of custom covers? perhaps they could alter a tj cover to fit ya. the yj cover will be the same size as a cj for sure. the tops interchange. the tj would be close i bet. you could call besttop and ask the dimensions of each? i bet you could find a used factory roll bar pretty cheap too.
even though yours looks prety cool, like an old land cruiser bar.
good luck

I'll try giving Bestop a call -- I doubt they're open tomorrow, so it will probably be Monday before I get anyone.

Getting a factory roll bar is not an option, as I now have a roll cage built around and welded to the existing roll bar, although the bikini top hides it in the picture.

[OldSailor]

Renegade,

Thanks for the link. I may wind up using them, but Saginaw is a little far from Livonia. I'd prefer a place closer to home.

If I do have a top and upholstery shop get involved, I probably wouldn't have them build it from scratch. Since it has to fasten using the same hardware that a Bestop Supertop uses, I'd proabably get one made for a YJ or TJ, and have them modify it if it didn't fit.

[OldSailor]

I just had another thought (which is sometimes dangerous)....

Since we know that a YJ tub and a CJ7 tub are the same dimensions (at least the rear half), has anyone ever seen a YJ with roll bar braces similar to those shown in my picture?

I mean, they could start higher, in order to protect rear seat passengers, as long as they entered the rear area aand attached to the fenderwells at about the same place. That would solve my problem for me, 'cause I could just get a tonneau cover made for a YJ of that year.

[Jeeperz-Creeperz]

I just had another thought (which is sometimes dangerous)....

Since we know that a YJ tub and a CJ7 tub are the same dimensions (at least the rear half), has anyone ever seen a YJ with roll bar braces similar to those shown in my picture?

I mean, they could start higher, in order to protect rear seat passengers, as long as they entered the rear area aand attached to the fenderwells at about the same place. That would solve my problem for me, 'cause I could just get a tonneau cover made for a YJ of that year.

1992-1995 YJ's have a setup similar to the TJ.

1987-1991 YJ's have a setup similar to the CJ.

[OldSailor]

1992-1995 YJ's have a setup similar to the TJ.

1987-1991 YJ's have a setup similar to the CJ.

So, does that mean that the 1992-1995 YJs have their roll bar brace entering the rear area vertically (rather than at a 45-degree angle) at a location near the rear corners of the fender wells?

Also, am I correct in assuming that the width of the CJ7 is the same as the width of the YJ?

[joe_jeep]

So, does that mean that the 1992-1995 YJs have their roll bar brace entering the rear area vertically (rather than at a 45-degree angle) at a location near the rear corners of the fender wells?

Also, am I correct in assuming that the width of the CJ7 is the same as the width of the YJ?

yes its called a family cage by alot of people. similar to a tj, sort of.
early yj's had a cj style roll bar. later had a tj style roll bar.

width should be super close, the hard tops interchange. cant be far from the same.

[Jeeperz-Creeperz]

So, does that mean that the 1992-1995 YJs have their roll bar brace entering the rear area vertically (rather than at a 45-degree angle) at a location near the rear corners of the fender wells?

Also, am I correct in assuming that the width of the CJ7 is the same as the width of the YJ?
Yes, and yes.

[OldSailor]

Thanks for the extra info, guys. Looks like a cover for a 92-95 YJ may work. I've looked at the Bestop web site, and it looks like their "Dusters" will even work if the folded-down frame for the Supertop is left on.