Need help on Convertible Replacement on 1950 Jeepster

poppy79424

Gear Grinder
Mar 15, 2022
5
Lubbock Tx
First Name
Marc
Willys Model
  1. Jeepster
Willys Year:
  1. 1950
Hello, This is my 1st post here. I have a 1950 Jeepster convertible. I have searched the forum to find this topic, and found none. The former owner had a new top made for it and it has snaps all the way around the back of the car. The pics I've seen have no snaps at the rear. I ordered a new top, doors, door frames, and wood bow kit. I still need the right & left latches that attach to the top frame. The latch parts on the windshield frame are still there. I've looked everywhere and there are no new latches available right now. The Jeepsterman says they are working on that. Mine has a Chrome around the back of the car. I received a wood bow that is supposed to go where the chrome is. I searched and found pics, and none of the pics show snaps at the back. We took the chrome off and there was these claws that looked like they would hold the wood bow in place. I installed the bows and installed the rear window. My car is at my shop. I will take more pics asap and put them on here.
 

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The snaps along the back are there to hold the tonneau cover in place when the top is down.

Mine also has the "claws" around the back, but they hold a paper tacking strip.

My understanding is that the claws use the tacking strip and without claws an oak strip was installed with screws.

BUT, I could be wrong I'm not a convertible top expert by no means.

Here's the style like mine.....

1948-willys-jeepster.jpg
 
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I have a ‘50 Jeepster also. Fortunately it came with a newer top in great condition. I’ll be learning about the convertible top when I remove it to repaint the body. The PO repaint some years ago was a poor job and is peeling.
Back to your question.
The top attaches to the body via a tack strip (perhaps the wood bow under the claws you mention) under the rear window. The snaps perform double duty, side snaps are for the side curtains, the rear side of the top, the snaps across the rear are for the top boot. The top boot also snaps to the rear side curtain snaps and across the top edge of the rear seat back.
 
Yes, something like that.
It looks like that photo shows extra snaps around the side. Too many snaps.
Unless that pictured top won’t stretch to those side snaps.
You’ll want to have the top snaps positioned on your new top and the top boot made to match to eliminate extra snaps.
I have a photo, but have to figure out how to resize on my iPad. Stand by.
 
49B6AAD1-5934-49D9-9622-00B7E42D4800.jpeg
Here you go....
Note the 5 snaps you see on the black band. Those all around the back are for the top boot only. The 3 you see holding the side of the top perform double duty with the top AND the boot. There’s also a couple inside for the top boot as well as across the rear seat back.
 
The tacking strip (wood or cardboard) is held to the body with the fold over sheet metal “petals”. My jeepster had screws into the body as well. I have seen racks, glue and/or staples attaching the vinyl to the racing stripe. The oak tacking strip was awfully hard for the stainless staples I used.
Any other snaps are for the top boot.
 
There was a chrome piece all the way around the back covering the tabs that hold the wood bow. We had to remove the chrome to install the wood bow. We had to soak the bow over night to get the curve exact. We have the bow installed and the rear window in place.
 
I'm finishing my 1950 VJ3 and have reached an impasse. Paul from WillysAmerica has not found a replacement supplier since his stopped making them.(not the most in demand item)
Did you purchase your top as a kit from The Jeepsterman?
If so, how was the quality? Canvas or Vinyl?
Thanks
 
wparry said:
I'm finishing my 1950 VJ3 and have reached an impasse. Paul from WillysAmerica has not found a replacement supplier since his stopped making them.(not the most in demand item)
Did you purchase your top as a kit from The Jeepsterman?
If so, how was the quality? Canvas or Vinyl?
Thanks
Click to expand...
have you tried these guys?

1948-52 Willys Jeepster Convertible Tops and Convertible Top Parts

Willys Jeepster Key Features: Quality: Made to Willys specs, 100% fit guarantee. Original Configuration: Two piece top, top section and window section Original Factory Material: Haartz Stayfast Canvas Original Window: Plastic window. Original Colors:
www.convertibletopguys.com www.convertibletopguys.com
 
cab man said:
How does the back wood tack strip fasten to the body of my 1950 jeepster?
Click to expand...
originally there were some "alligator teeth" on the back of the body tub that held the tack strip in place. if you bought a new tack strip from one of the usual vendors you will need to soak or steam the wood into the correct shape to attach.
if you don't have the teeth on your Jeepster you will probably have to screw or bolt the tack strip on.

first picture shows the teeth. second how the tack strip fits from the vendor. third is tack strip on.
 

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I had gotten a new tack strip from Willys America. I soaked the rounded portion in a bucket of hot water prior to installing and ran screws down from the top side to insure holding its shape. But the wood is really tough and I had to use staples larger than I wanted to reinstall the canvas.
I had pulled the frame including the canvas off of the body and reattached. The rear tack strip was the only thing I had to redo. This is about the only pix I had of the tack strip. Couldn't get pictures of reinstalling as we expedited getting the top on during an evacuation period about 7-8 hrs before the fire came through.
 

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jimbob57 said:
originally there were some "alligator teeth" on the back of the body tub that held the tack strip in place. if you bought a new tack strip from one of the usual vendors you will need to soak or steam the wood into the correct shape to attach.
if you don't have the teeth on your Jeepster you will probably have to screw or bolt the tack strip on.

first picture shows the teeth. second how the tack strip fits from the vendor. third is tack strip on.
Click to expand...
Thank you @jimbob57: that is just info. I was needing.
 
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