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Hi guys,
I know its been talked about but I can't find it. How does the top bow strap attach to the bracket. Did it come from the factory already sewn on?

Thanks! Joel

I'm not clear on what you are asking. Which part of the top are you talking about?

Tim

I guess you mean the short canvas straps that hold the top bow in the "down" position through the rear top bow bracket?
If so, here's how the replacement NOS parts look:


You'll note that the strap is not stitched; I suppose they were stitched during the assembly procedure at the factory. Have a look at page 316 of TM 9-8012 (organizational maintenance manual); the straps are fastened to the footman loop, rather than the rear bow bracket.

Owen.

While we're on the subject, does anybody have a pic of how the bows are supposed to be strapped down? I would do it, but I just put my top back up the other day. I run mine from the footman loop inside the bracket, through the slot in the bracket. Then I put the bows down and run the strap over top down through the buckle. Makes a secure, rattle free tie down - plus it is the only way I could think of to do it.

There are two good and one helpful illustration in TM 9-8012.

Thanks! I looked at 316 of TM9-8012. I see that the buckle side of the strap attaches to the footman loop on the inside top of the fender well. Now what I can't see is what the other end is fastened to. Is it sewn to the top bow bracket that is on the rear quarter panel? And if that is the case, do you have to send the bracket to the vender that sells the strap sets so he can sew it on?

It is only sewn once at one place. There is only one strap in the kit and it is sewn so that the unfinished end of the strap loops around the center bar of the buckle (leaving the buckle just above the footman loop and facing inboard) and then around the footman loop. Then it is sewn to itself between the buckle and the footman loop. This anchors the strap to the footman loop on the wheel house leaving the buckle free to float until the metal tipped end is routed up, outboard through the bracket slot and then over the bow and inboard and down and slid through the buckle. Once the free end of the strap is drawn through the buckle over the existing length of the strap already in there and the buckle is tightened the buckle will not move.

OK, thanks Wesk! It is clear now. I was thinking it was two straps before.

Owen,
The photo of the straps that you showed are actually replacement straps that hold the rear top panel and side curtains in place. They are sewn on the top and side curtains. .... Brian

Good catch. The two bow stowage straps are the same strap used for the windshield tie down. ORD# 7375395, WO# 673697. The webbing itself would be 20" in length.

The strap in Owen's photo would be 21 1/2" in length.

Well spotted! I can get those straps sewn up locally, so I'll use them for the top bow stowage straps. I actually have 4 of those straps; be a shame not to make use of them.

I suppose the folks I use to sew them up can probably cut off the extra 1-1/2" at the same time. Thanks for the heads-up.