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:

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

EDIT: [Sorry... I tried to insert a photobucket image, but it doesn't seem to work. If a moderator could fix that, I'd appreciate it.]

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

I don't really know the answer to your question, but what I'd do is ask the TJ owner over for a couple of beers and try his tonneau cover out. Since you already run a supertop, you should already have the rails. If it fits, go buy yourself one. If it don't, then just rhino line the rear of the tub, make sure your seals on your boxes are water tight, and pull out the drain plugs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've tried to contact the TJ owner for a try-out, without success.

Rhino lining isn't an option. The only thing that Rhino lining would protect is the tub, and mine doesn't need protection from water, since it's fiberglass. Also, the storage boxes are metal and would eventually rust, and I carry other things back there that aren't sealed up.

I just had another thought....

I know that CJ7 and YJ tubs are the same size -- close enough for the same Bestop top to fit on both.

Does anyone here know if YJs were ever made with a roll bar brace that entered the rear area vertically at about the same point (all the way aft) on the fenderwell? It wouldn't matter if the braces were like mine, or if they started higher in order to provice protection to rear seat passengers.

If some one knows that YJs of a certain year came with braces like that, please let me know the model year, and I could get a YJ tonneau cover that would fit.

YJ's had CJ7 style sport bars from 87 until around 92. Then they had bars that offered protection to the back passengers, and they entered almost straight down very near the back. You might want to double check the year of the change, but I think it was around 92.

Here's a pic I found of a mostly stock '95 YJ, and it looks like the stock cage is real close in location to yours. I found a guy selling a grey cover on ebay you could probably ask him to measure the location for you <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I seem to remember a JP article where they fit a TJ top to a YJ and the C and YJ's are the same size tub. Heck I just put TJ Rubicon fender flares on my 84 CJ7 and except for some cutting of the fronts they fit pretty good. Just take a tape measure to a buddies TJ and measure the width of the tub. That should give you a pretty good idea.

Take it to a marine (boat) based upholstery shop and have them make you a cover. Or you could get the Bestop one that fits and have em modify it. Might be pricy but you will get what you need and have a better chance at keeping the rain out. Replacing ruined equipment would probly be more expensive than the custom job. Just my .02. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll check out those options.