M38a1 Top Bow (top frame) assembly

lmgoldstein · Post by **lmgoldstein** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 3:33 pm

Question: Has anybody ever fabricated the top bow for a jeep? I don't see anything complicated about this except for the price people are asking for it. Two pieces of EMT, a couple rivets, and flat ends for the hardware. Any thoughts or comments?

jeeperjoe · Post by **jeeperjoe** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 4:55 pm

I'd love to see someone do it and post the drawings or even sell copies of them. Someone was supposed to send me drawings for the door frames but never did.

G740 · Post by **G740** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 6:16 pm

Everyone thinks that making this stuff is easy. NOT.
The ends require a die to stamp it correctly. It is not just flattening the end.
A jig is required to secure the tubing in a specific plane that must be maintained so that when the flattening is done, it is parallel to the body and will engage the pockets correctly. This typically cannot be done in a standard press brake because there needs to be a window in the ram for the other end to fit thru.
The tab for the folding bow needs to be formed as well, not just flat stock. A jig needs to be made to properly locate the tab at the right height and the correct location of the stationary bow so that the folding bow mates up properly once riveted in place. Riveting is also required and this takes more tooling.

Not just a simple thing.

John

Bobber · Post by **Bobber** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 6:22 pm

Agreed! It all looks simple. But from some experience, after I try a few times, I'm money and time ahead to just purchase the item. Sometimes you get lucky, just depends on what you're working on.

jeeperjoe · Post by **jeeperjoe** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 1:24 pm

I've been looking for an original top frame for five years now without finding anything. At this point it's make one or use a repop from Ada/Omix.

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RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 2:35 pm

I need one too. I have no problem buying a quality set of repop or NOS top bows from MWM, but it's the shipping cost stopping me --- double the cost of the bows for shipping just because of the odd shape and size?

I've been holding out for awhile hoping for a coincidental trip where I (or an acquaintance) can hand carry them home.

What about cutting them in half and sleeving them back together and welding the seams? If that would get the shipping cost back down to reasonable $30-$40 I might do that.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 4:08 pm

Ron,
If you can weld there is no reason that wouldn't work.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 5:17 pm

I can't weld for cr*p, but I know somebody who can!

The question is: would MWM charge me extra to cut one in half?

I'd really rather not go that route, so if anybody is ever coming to Charleston SC from the mid-west I'd sure like to know if something could be worked out in the way of transportation.

Maybe MWM might be interested in a distributor in the south east?

It occurs to me I'm going to get a chewing from Wes for tailing off this thread in the project forum when maybe it ought to be elsewhere.......

M38a1 Top Bow (top frame) assembly

M38a1 Top Bow (top frame) assembly

Bows