Does anyone have any issues with hard top on and aftermarket overhead console?i really want to get one with cb holder. I was just wondering which one everyone might be using and how they like it.

 

I ran the Tuffy overhead console for several months. Great product but I am tall and kept hitting my head on it so it had to go.

No issues with hardtop. You can access all of the latches to remove the freedom panels.

 

I just installed the Tuffy overhead. At 5'11" my head clearance isn't an issue. The install was a pain though. I was planning on putting my stereo and Uniden 520 CB in it but my engine self destructed this morning so I'll have to wait till it gets back to me to see if it will work.

They don't give any brackets to mount the equipment and the directions just say to mount the electronics in the enclosure. The only help they suggest is to use plumbers strap to hold the back of a stereo down. It seems to be double din size vertically but wider horizontally. I got some 1" wide 1/8" thick aluminum strip from Home Depot and bent it to a square U shape. Drilled holes in the bottom of the box to mount the stereo. I need to cut up the mount I was using to hold both units in the stock stereo position to mount them in the enclosure.

Wiring a CB should be fairly easy but getting all of the stereo wiring was time consuming. I had to make an 8' extension harness and pick up an antenna extension. All of this runs across the dash, up the passenger A pillar and back across the header. You then run it up the side in to the box leaving a loop to allow the box to slide back for access to the middle to clamp the hard top. I've only had the soft top on but I see no issue with the hard top.

 

Thanks for info.,just what i was looking for.

 

Im not tall and have managed to crack my skull on mine more times than Id like to admit. Im considering tearing it out and going another route. It was also not quite big enough to fit my Cobra 29 without some mods.

Rob

 

Do you have the box slid all the way forward? Sitting in the seat I don't think I could hit my head if I tried. Are you hitting the cross member or the enclosure? I would go out and test mine to make sure and take pictures but again, I don't have here in my possession. Grrrr.

 

Yeah its alll the way forward. Most of time its been getting into the Jeep with it on a steep slope or off camber or both. Seems like I can never find a level spot when everyone decides to stop. It probably doesnt help that when Im wheeling I like the seat raised up higher than I have it for driving on the street but having the seat higher gives a lot better view especially when climbing/cresting hills and big obstacles. Im sure if I didnt wheel the Jeep it would be a swell enclosure.

Rob

 

Makes sense. I've only had it in for one trail and I didn't raise the seat but I can definitely see how that would put you into it. Definitely a reason to wear a seatbelt. I can imaging doing brain surgery if you hit it in an accident. I've smacked my roll bar with my head in a rock wash and that hurt even with the padding. The console has some sharp edges.

 

Can anyone take picture of latch that looks like it would be right above it to take tops off

 

No pics but the console itself slides toward the back to allow access to the latch and the top piece had a cut out so you have plenty of access. I didn't install the header piece back afterwards so I actually have more room and don't have to shift the console at all the latch the tops.
If no one has posted by tomorrow Ill grab some pics.