Will an early style hardtop (Lift-gate style...<76) fit my late style (77) tub, windshield frame, and late model doors?

I've heard that the doors are no problem but that the bolts across the top of the windshield frame are different (2 on late vs 4 on early). Obviously I need a tailgate solution. Other issues?

Thanks,
Randy

77 FJ40
85 FJ60

yes. many say it won't seal correctly at the tub because of the funky ridge on the later tubs, but good weatherstrip will help...besides, how many tops that come off on a regular basis seal completely anyway.

you will have to redrill the front channel to match the bolt holes on the windshield

I am running an early top on my 1977 tub. The later windshield frames,"wipers on bottom" are thicker. The channel on the roof that slips down over the windshield doesn't fit very well. You have to bend the channel out & really pry it down to get it to fit at all. The 4 holes also have to be drilled in the channel so you can bolt the top to the windshield frame. The hot ticket here would be to use the early top with the channel from a later top.

I'm curious, I heard that the later wipers work better, but also that they don't lay down against the hood well. But I've also heard that the earlier style work just fine...Why'd they change the wiper location, and, generally speaking, which of the two is better?

The windshield wipers were made more efficient by eliminating one of the two motors. The work of the second motor was now accomplished with a cable PTO and gear box from the first motor to the second wiper. While re-designing items at the top of the windshield frame, the rear view mirror was also modified. The mirror now clipped to a mount on the frame rather than bolting directly to the frame. This was done primarily to meet DOT standards for crash safety but also helped eliminate some of the vibration of earlier models.