Soft-Top Research Archives

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Safari Kar International’s DJ-5 Mods

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I found a DJ-5 for sale (see below) that had a Safari-Kar data plate. I did some research to learn more about these vehicles.

Safari-Kar International was a company from Woodruff Avenue in San Bernardino, California, that purchased, restored, and resold postal jeeps. It was launched in 1993. Don’t confuse it with a weird car by the same name called the SafariKar.

As best as I can learn, the company sold remanufactured DJs and two different kits. One to swap the steering and chop and modify the back half and another for soft top kits. At their height they remanufactured around 30 jeeps a month. They also signed up twelve independent manufactures.

By 1995 the company ran into a legal problem. They were reselling the vehicles with a new odometer as a modern vehicle. But, by doing so the law dictated the ‘kars’ had to meet modern safety regulations. (you can read an entire article about the company in a 1995 article from Automotive news (also archived at the bottom of this page).

Four Wheeler Magazine may have reported on this modification in a 1993-1994 article, but I have yet to confirm that. They did reference a DJ in a later Cheap Jeep article, but with no mention of a soft top.

Here are a few links:

Here is one Safari-Kar for sale: 1995 DJ-5 Safari-Kar Jeep Flower Mound, TX $6500.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4760795466.html

1976-dj5-dallas-tx0 1976-dj5-dallas-tx1 1976-dj5-dallas-tx2 1976-dj5-dallas-tx3 1976-dj5-dallas-tx4

AMC 1976 CLASSIC JEEP
Up for sale is a one of a kind classic 1976 Jeep
Year: 1976
Transmission: Auto
Model: Safari
Price: $5,000 firm Will not take a penny less was asking $6,000 reduced for quick sale .
If not sold by this weekend will be trading for a small cabin.
Miles: ONLY 28,000 on rebuilt motor
Rebuilt transmission
Clear Texas title
Continue reading

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1948 CJ-2A Glenwood Springs, CO **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was No Price.

(10/22/2013) Looks good. It has a rare angled top, too.

“1948 WILLYS CJ-2 JEEP FOR SALE. LOCKING HUBS, 12V SYSTEM, EXTRA TIRES AND RIMS AND MISC PARTS. MUST SEE TO APPRECIATE LOCATED IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO ”

 

1948-cj2a-glenwoodsprings-co

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Looking for DJ-3A Fastback Style Top Measurements

• CATEGORIES: DJ-3A, Features • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE II: Charles spotted the 2010 post below that shows a DJ-3A auctioned on eBay from Massachusetts. Anyone recognize it or know the previous or current owner?

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UPDATE: Bill tells me they are also looking for pictures of any surviving examples of tops and the bows themselves. The bows are the most important item they need to duplicate. The top is something we can construct but without a correct set of bows we won’t be on the mark. 

Bill and Charles are seeking the measurements for the DJ-3A Fastback Style Top like the one shown below. There’s currently a thread about it here http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/index.php?showtopic=5356, but so far no one has had any luck finding them.

As I look at these two pictures, it appears to me that top folded up like a Jeepster top. I’ve never noticed that before. I’ve never run across one of these tops in the real world, only in brochures or press photos.

dj3a-sport-top-up dj3a-sport-top-down2

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1942 GPW Oakland, CA eBay

• CATEGORIES: GPW (Ford MB) • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: There were two bids. This sold for $1556. It was a public impound auction held on eBay.

The most interesting item on this jeep might be the plates. The serial number is #12718. This has the taller windshield, but split, which is unusual. The soft top door has a rather large window, too.

“$145 lien sale processing paperwork/listing fee will be added to winning bid.

The following is a lien sale auction. We are a public impound facility and this vehicle was towed under the authority of the Oakland Police Department and has been unclaimed. The vehicle is being auctioned to satisfy our lien. Since this is a Lien Sale Auction, there are no license plates with the vehicle. The winning bidder will receive California Lien Sale Paperwork in order to register this vehicle and receive title.

This lien sale auction is being held pursuant to California Lien Sale Civil Codes 3071 or 3072. All vehicles are sold with no guaranties or warranties and are being sold to satisfy A & B’s lien. The purchaser is solely responsible for necessary repairs to insure compliance with California and federal standards. (see ebay for more info)”

1942-gpw-mod-oakland-ca

1942-gpw-mod-oakland-ca2

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1950 CJ-3A Huntington Beach, CA **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:**Status Unknown** Was $3200

(09/15/2013) I like this old modded flattie. It even has a rare 198 Buick V6. The old top is great, too. Includes an overdrive.

“1950 CJ3A Willys Jeep, Willy’s Flat Fender Jeep
Buick 198 cu in (3.2 L) odd fire V6,
12 Volt System w/ alternator.
Willys Jeep runs, current registration,
Clean title.
Full roll cage, padded,
seat belts,
20 gallon custom gas tank plus stock tank under the seat.
Warren overdrive,
Warn lock out hubs,
Original black license plates,
spare tire rack,
built in CB Radio.
Tow bar.
Extra heavy duty bumpers.
5th wheel trailer dolly on front bumper is removable. Also trail hitches at both ends of the Jeep.
No rust. Detailed record book going back to 1969.”

1950-cj3a-huntingtonbeach-ca0 1950-cj3a-huntingtonbeach-ca1 1950-cj3a-huntingtonbeach-ca2 1950-cj3a-huntingtonbeach-ca3 1950-cj3a-huntingtonbeach-ca4

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Never Used Whitco CJ-3A SoftTop Hill City, SD **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Parts • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Was listed at $600. **SOLD**

Looking for a vintage soft top for your CJ-3A? This might be what you need.

“This is an original Whitco Jeep part. We took it out of the box to install on our ’46 Willy and discovered the top is for a a CJ 3. This is brand new and had never been out of the box. There is some box damage to which there is a minor hole in a back corner of the material. All parts are there, instructions included. This is a 1203-A Convertable Full Top for a CJ-3A.

The following is a link to the original brochure:
http://48cj2a.com/images/whitco/Whitco%20Convertible%20Tops%201200%20Series.pdf

cj3a-whitco-softtop-rapidcity-sd

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CJ-3A Kayline Top Des Moines, IA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Parts • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The seller lists this in Denver, but appears to be from Iowa. **SOLD**

“I have a Kayline soft top to fit a CJ3A, no bows or doors, just the top with windows. I purchased this in the mid 90s and only had it on the Jeep for about two weeks and its been packed up in the original box ever since, these were nice tops and Im not for sure if you can still buy parts for them or not. If interested shoot me an email. working on a pic soon”

 

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1950 CJ-3A Deadwood, SD ** Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  Was on eBay. Status Unknown.

(09/29/2012) This solid looking CJ-3A looks like all it needs is a paint job to be a good looking jeep.  The nicely made half top out of boat material is very interesting too.  Whoever made those could probably sell a few — it is hard to find bikini tops for the early CJ’s, especially ones that fit so nicely.

“I bought this Willys from my uncle about 5 years ago. He used it in an apple orchard for many years to pull apple wagons so it went with out license tags for MANY years. It was only driven during apple harvest season so it got few miles usage each year. He and I both always stored it in the garage and never drove it in the winter. He had the engine overhauled about 9 years ago when he forgot to put oil in it during an oil change. When I got it the tranny and transfer case growled terrible do to many years with bad boots on the shift levers letting in water and dirt. I installed rebuilts about 5 yrs ago and it now runs very quietly. It is used as a summer putt around vehicle here in Deadwood SD so has been seen by MANY in this area. It purrs around nicely at speeds up to 50 mi/hr with out the typical WILLY WOBBLE. Driven mostly around mountainous terrain with out heat problems. (I had the radiator boiled out before I put it on the road 5 yrs ago). Lights and brakes work good. New windshield and windshield hinge gasket  2 yrs ago. New plastic under seat gas tank (same design as original). New gas sending unit which does not register correctly–I think it might be for a 12 volt. Other gages work fine. New speedo cable but speedo JUMPS when connected (Maybe the wrong drive gear was put in during rebuild). Emergency cable is missing but other parts including handle are included. Has warn lock outs in the front diff. It shows very little rust. The frame and floor are in good condition. The SURRY top(2 yrs old-made of boat cloth) and frame comes off very easily so windshield can be folded down.  This is a very nice little Willys which I am selling only because have another.”

 

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1949 CJ-2A Loxahatchee, FL **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1350

(09/17/2012) This post is all about the top.  It’s certainly one of a kind.

“Origional L-head Go Devil engine, runs but needs work. Manual tranny w/3 stick 4WD. 12 volt conversion.

Recent new items: Lights front & rear, Fuel pump, Carb., Custom fuel cell, Distributor, Brakes,
Skyjacker Shocks w/custom mounts, Gear reduction 12v starter, Custom Bimini Top.

Tires are General Mud Terrain with excellent tread.

Narrowed Chevy 1/2 ton axles – 6 lug

Interior body has some rust, previous owner put in patch panels.
Exterior body has some rust & bondo.

Off road only, would be great for off road parks, mudding, hunting with some work.”

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