Two more questions

jacksonpinz · Post by **jacksonpinz** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:34 am

Seeing if anyone has some insight into a few things. First, the side and rear windows in my canvas top are really dirty. They are not cracked or faded yellow, just really dirty. What is the proper way to clean and protect them?

On the front of my Pinz, the leather straps that go through the metal hoops holding the canvas top to the top of the windshield frame are too short to fit through the hoops. Probably shrank do to age. Any ideas on lengthening them? Can I adjust the top foward to make up the distance or just some clovis pins to secure it?

pcolette · Post by **pcolette** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:34 am

I had heard not to use products containing ammonia(sp?) for cleaning vinyl windows but don't know if this is accurate. I used soapy water inside and out and then got a vinyl window cleaning/polishing kit from the local NAPA. The kit consisted of a rubber disk attachment for your drill and foam pads impregnated with a special polishing compound. I think it is the same powder they use for filtering aquariums, diatomonous earth. You stick the pad to the rubber disk and spray the pad with water and then clean and buff the windows using your drill. The results were great! Fine scratches, built up dirt, cloudiness - almost entirely gone. I then sprayed them with the 303 Protectorant that EI sells and it seems to do a good job.

I had the same problem with the leather straps but my top was so worn I just replaced the whole top. SAV sells the individual new straps and rivets if you want to give that a try. Even without the straps thru the metal hoops there is really no chance of the top coming loose since its really the hoops holding it on. Once the top has shrunk its a real bear to try to remove it from the hoops - I had to remove the rear of the top first and pull it forward to get it off.

Hope this helps.

Paul

jacksonpinz · Post by **jacksonpinz** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:35 am

Thanks for the info. I will see if Napa has that kit. Got to go there to look for new mirrors anyway.

Just out of curiosity, where did you get your top and how much does a new one for a 712 cost?

pcolette · Post by **pcolette** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:48 am

I got my front top from Swiss Army Vehicles, part #7113870022 at $482.00. I have a 710M but the front top is the same on both.

Automan (K-Source) CL082 mirrors are almost identical to the originals. They are available at Pep Boys auto stores for about $8 each.

Paul

jacksonpinz · Post by **jacksonpinz** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:54 am

Thanks Paul. Was your top new or used? Same color as original?

All we have is Car Quest and Napa, but one should have mirros that will fit. One of mine is really cracked on the back where the plastic meets the mirror shaft. Pretty cheap mirrors considering the rest of the vehicle is so tough.

pcolette · Post by **pcolette** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:33 am

My top was new and the same color as original. I was told they are still made by the original company. The fit was quite a bit looser along the front (no shrinkage yet) and there were air leaks in the front corners which I plugged with foam blocks temporairily.

springhill · Post by **springhill** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:09 pm

I would suggest an insulated top from CWR. They are pricey, but if you spend much time driving in cold weather it is worth it. They can make them in many different colors. I got tan for the two 710's. They make a big difference in keeping the heat in.

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:29 pm

The stock mirrors are only around $35 ea from any of the Pinz parts dealers, and don't have to be "modified" to fit.

jacksonpinz · Post by **jacksonpinz** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:53 pm

I simply took the old bracket, removed the mirror, put the end of the bracket where the rotating ball moves for adjustment in a vice and clamped it shut. Remounted the bracket and put a new mirror from Napa on. Mirror was $8.00 and is a little bigger than stock.

Cleaned the plastic windows with some cleaner and polisher from Napa and they look great.

As for a top, I need all the heat I can get! In Wyoming it gets -30 quite a bit in January. I am installing a Webasto heater from a bus I traded in. It is already 24 volts. Should be pretty easy.

Someone asked me about axle boots and they are indeed yellow and in good shape. Checked the fuel filter, no red particles or flakes.

The Ford F-350 had been collecting dust as I love this damn thing. It has become my daily driver. I will say you were all right about the tires. They, what would be a politcally correct term, how about "suck ass"! Got in some mud today and they were crap. Can't wait for my new ones. I think I am going with the 235's. Anyone ever run any Les Schwab Rubber? I can get a good deal on a set of a tires called the "big horn". Very similar to the BF Goodrich Mud TA's. Thanks again everyone for your help!

todds112 · Post by **todds112** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:31 am

If you look in Jeep catalogs like 4wd.com or Quadratec, they sell plastic polish kits for the vinyl soft top windows. There is a 3 part system for polishing out scratches in plastic called NOVUS. Is works wonders. I use it for my cruiser's emergency light bar. I was also told not to use Anything with Ammonia on plastic windows. The NOVUS kit comes with a cleaner, or there is a product called PLEXO, used to be called PLEXUS. Works great, kills the static cling too. I just use terry towels. Never use paper towels on them. Believe it or not other Jeeping buddies have told me that Lemon Pledge works wonders on vinyl windows...and leaves them lemony fresh too!

Tires wise are you talking about Big Horn Maxxis? They are supposed to be pretty good tires.