I have been researching the best way to remove my 2 door JK top by myself, and more importantly reinstalling it by myself. Getting it off by yourself is not hard at all. Four Eye Screws, and some ratchet straps, and you are set. Getting it back on by yourself with ratchet straps is a little harder, and more time consuming from my reading. Do-able but it leaves a lot of room for improvement. I decided that the winch route looked much easier to reinstall the top.
Last weekend I went by the Harbor Freight in Rolla Missouri and picked up my 1500 lb, 120V electric winch.
I mounted the winch to a 2X12 board cut to length to fit between two of the Rafters in my shop building/barn. I had to drill reliefs for the bolts that hold the winch to the mounting plate, as well as for the bolts to mount the plate to the board. The bottom of my trusses are around 13 feet up. Mounting the winch to the board went better than expected. I also installed a couple eye screws for parachute cord so that I could raise the control cable up out of the way when not needed.
I am in the middle of installing the wiring to the winch. I have the conduit ran to the winch, I just need to finish running the conduit to the bench where I use my case cleaner.
On the agenda for this weekend is getting the B-Line channel welded in a Tee, and getting all the parts to connect to the Jeep roof assembled. I have already cut the 3" Wide X 7" Tall U-Bolts for the front. I am using a 4" Wide X 7" Tall U-Bolt with the cut off end added to the long end for the tailgate end.
I have been pondering disconnecting the Tee when not in use, OR adding eye bolts and cables to level it, and just leave it attached to the winch, hoisted up out of the way when not in use. This has not been addressed in my research so far.
I picked up a 3/8 Drive T40 and T50 at NAPA Friday. My 2013 did not come with the Top Removal Kit that comes with the newer Wranglers.
Another thing I am researching is a top cover. I would not have worried about my old FJ40 Land Cruiser getting rained on with the top off. I would have simply pulled the drain plugs in the floor and let the water out, if the plugs were not already out. With all the electronic garbage, carpet, padding, speakers, leather seats, etc in the newer Jeeps I would hate to get one rained on uncovered.
I have been researching Best Top, MOPAR, Smitty Built, Vertically Driven Products, Rampage Products, Rain Gear, and other covers. Reviews are all over the place. One review will say I have owned brand X for 3 years and it is a great cover, the next review will say the first rain brand X was not water proof and I had an inch of water in the floor.
So far Rain Gear Covers looks to be the best, however who knows when you might get one after ordering it.
Some divine guidance on covers would not hurt.

Bob R

 

I just pulled my 2 door top about an hour ago. I just pick mine up overhead and carry it to and from its shelf so I don't have any hoist specific advice. When it goes back on I just sort of set it down on the rails and lift and move slowly alternating left and right sides till it drops in place. If you can get it close, it's pretty easy to massage the rest of the way.

I have a Bestop Trail Cover (which I threw on about 5 minutes ago) that has worked very well for me for probably 3 or 4 years. The only fault I've found is in heavy rain the space between the windshield and sound bar can pool with water and sag. The cover won't come off but I will get a drop or two where the pool is. I've toyed with the idea of making up a bow that I could just wedge in place to tent it a little more. All in all I don't think I could ask for any more from a trail cover.

 

We just ordered a Smitty Built Cab Cover for 4dr JKU... Extreme Terrain .. Works with the Bestop Bikini and door surrounds so far.. Ordered & received next day. Had some heavy rains in the past 48.. Son did not comment on any leakage.

 

I ran into a little snag. Apparently the 44 Long X 68 wide Tee works on the Unlimited JK Hard Top, and not the 2-Door version.
I am regrouping tomorrow. I am going to reconfigure the frame into an H. I will cut the Front to back Channel 2 inches shorter (42 Inches). Then cut another piece of 1-5/8 X 1-5/8 B-Line Channel 68 Inches long and weld it along with another pair of 3/4 x 3/4 Tubing Braces to the other end forming an H. I will then add 3/8" B-Line Spring Nuts with 3/8 Eye Bolts to all four corners to attach straps. I went over to my local Sewing shop and had her make up a pair of web straps with hooks on each end a few minutes ago. I believe this design will work fine on the 2-Door JK.

I made an order to Quadratec a while ago for a Best Top Bikini (52586-35), a Best Top Windshield Channel (51243-01), and a pair of Mirrors that will easily bolt on with the doors off. I also ordered a can of Mopar "Rock Lobster" paint just in case I need to touch up the roll bars.
The cover that looks best to me is going to take a while due to a shortage of the material to make it. I think I will get on the waiting list, and get a tarp for emergency cover up until I get it. I can garage the Jeep when at home, and drive my truck if rain is forcast.

Bob

 

I used a tarp for a few years before getting the trail cover. It's very effective, just not as pretty as the cover.



I don't know what mirrors you went with but I recommend something that puts stock size mirrors in the stock locations. Die Tech brackets are great and I traded up to Qtech's mirror movers a few years ago and I'm very happy with them. You might want to look at a sun shade (like spiderwebshade or similar) which makes topless driving much nicer while keeping the open air feel. I have a similar windshield channel/bikini setup waiting for me to futz with in an attempt to find a good doorless/roofless rain solution that covers the rear seats as well. I'd love to see some pics of yours finished or in the process.

 

icrashbikes What size tarp did you use. In the picture it looks like a 10 X 12, or very close to that.

I will research the Mirror Movers.

I like the look of your Flat Fenders, After Market of OEM Cut??

My MOAB has AEV Tube Type Rock Rails. They should provide a very good tie point on the sides for a cover.

Bob

 

It is a 10x12, just something from HD. It's held up well but I do take good care of it. The mirror movers are $$$ but I alternate between full doors, fabric doors and no doors. I used to have two mirror solutions (plus the ones on the full doors) and I put a lot of time into switching them on and off. Eventually I decided to just bite the bullet, the mirror movers work with all three setups and zero down time for swapping out mirrors. The fenders are just the stockers trimmed.

 

I had to wait a couple days to get the frame welded up into the H configuration. I picked it up Friday afternoon. I am going to regroup on my Foam Padding, and get two new uncut sections and install them full length and cut out around the braces and tee sections. I did this with one piece of foam tubing yesterday and it turned out very well, and will protect the roof much better than chopped up pieces.
I have a Steel Challenge Pistol Match this morning. I may pull the top for the first time this afternoon, and put it back on Sunday before it starts raining again Monday afternoon. It will be nice to have more than two or three dry days in a row one of these days.

My 2013 MOAB has AEV Bumpers on both ends. (Part of the MOAB Package along with the Steel Skid Plate and Rock Rails) I really like the Stubby Rock Crawler Bumper look along with Flat Fenders. I have been looking over stubby bumpers for months, seeing a few I liked. Almost all will not let me retain my factory Steel Front Skid Plate, which I would like to retain. Most that I like well are also expensive. I like the AEV Bumpers except the NOT BEING Stubby Bumper part. I did a Google Search for AEV Stubby Bumpers a couple days ago, and came up with one made my trimming a stock Full Width AEV Bumper, and adding flat end plates. I happen to have a friend with some real metal fabrication skills, and a shop full of toys who I am 100% sure can reproduce this bumper. The post had several pictures from different angles which I saved, and will print off for him to use doing this modification. AEV also sells Touch Up Paint that will match the existing bumper finish. I should be able to end up with a finished AEV Stubby Crawler Bumper that will look to be factory made when completed.

Once I get the Bumper done it will be time to address the Flat Fenders. Now the decision will be between trimming and buying some like the Hurricane ones. Probably the best way to go would be to trim the existing ones, and see if I am 100% happy with them. If not, after market ones are an order away. I have watched a few You Tube Video's on trimming them. I have a few local Jeeps with flat fenders. I need to check them out and see who did the work on them. I have a feeling that someone local will have trimmed a few of them. I am sure that I can trim my own with good results, but someone who has done several might speed up the process, and avoid any problems that might need readdressed later.

Bob R