For Christmas, I got a Bikini top, for my 98 Wrangler. I SHOULD have
opened it and checked it out when I got it. Unfortunately I got my
first look at it this past weekend, and found that I need the "retainer
channel" yet I can't find it on their website.

My question to the group is.. Where does this "channel" bolt to, and
can I simply fab my own? Has anyone else done this?

Dave wrote:
http://www.bestop.com/index.php?s=9

Steve

they make 2 kinds one that you drill holes in the windshield and one that
bolts in to the factory latch spot.. I reccomend the one that bolts in but
it is more expensive if there is a 4 wheel parts near you they have them!

"Dave" <dmcglynn (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

Thanks for that link, I was looking in the completely wrong spot...

I'm thinking of going with the drill-type, since then I can leave the
channel on there with the soft-top up. Does anyone have experience with
this? Does the drill-type channel look really strange when there is no
top on the vehicle?

Thanks!

No, it's not even really noticable, and it's great for putting on a bikini
top. Only problem is if you let your tops be loose and flap in the wind
alot, it will eventually rip the channel out at a most unfortunate time,
like when your on the highway..... Keep your top tight, and if need (from
experience), get self tapping metel screws and go crazy on your channel...
Nick


--
http://members.cox.net/nnote/
"Dave" <dmcglynn (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

Thanks for your response Nick, I'll now be purchasing one.

I searched 4wd & quadratec, and was unable to find it.. I Froogled
51210 however, and it turned up for $14.75 from a Yahoo! store called
"Inclined Vehicles" .. anybody heard of these guys?

Have you tried to see if it fits in the header channel for the soft top?




"Dave" <dmcglynn (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

"bizbee" <tuberoo (AT) earthlink (DOT) net> wrote



Are you interested in a hardtop for your CJ5?

Under the rubber seal which is glued in place on the top of the
windshield frame? the plastic lip on the bikini-top is longer than
the header channel, and would interfere with the ends of the channel,
from what I could see. It was obvious that it wasn't intended to work
that way, so I abandoned the idea. Especially since it was glued in
place.

Jeff Strickland wrote:

Good question. I have one channel - works for bikini top and soft top.

Steve
95 YJ
98 ZJ

Jeff Strickland wrote: