A good replacement for the OEM soft top - suggestions?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: beaver county pa
removing rear window was always a pain in the ass for me too until i figured out i didnt have to remove it. My 08 came with two closed loop elestic bands that have button snaps on them. There are snaps inside the jeep just above the rear window that you snap the bands too. you then just unzip the rear window half way leaving the top part still zipppered. you then roll the rear window up and slip the ends of the rolled up window into those hanging elestic loops and fold the top down. Boy that was hard to explain, hope it helps ya.
i pull down on top and relase both corners and window bar then unzip.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Driftwood, TX
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: chatsworth,ga
Same here. No problems with original soft top other than the minor leaking around the top of the door frame just above the door handle. This is so common I think Jeep refers to it as a feature - the interior washing feature. A little window trim from Lowe's mostly fixed it. Are the after market ones any better? I haven't had any issues getting the windows in or out or the top up or down.
I fixed mine leaking at the top of the doors buy going to lowes and buying some window strips and putting them on the edge of the door suround where it sets up front. and it has not leaked in a year! I also went to walmart and got some seam sealer for tents. I pulled of my top and covered every seam on the inside with it. My top never leakes.
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
The first few times I put my soft top up were a bear. Now that I've had lots of practice (and the top has stretched some) it's a breeze. 
It helps to do things in the right order. See videos on the Jeep website here: (also on your owners DVD)
https://www.jeep.com//hostb/crossbra...hp?topic=26468
If your zipper is dragging or sticking DO NOT use WD40 or any other oil that could stain or damage your soft top. Use MOPAR zipper cleaner/lubricant part# 5066440AA
or Bestop part# 11206-00. Both are a 2oz bottle and both are priced about $10.
It helps to do things in the right order. See videos on the Jeep website here: (also on your owners DVD)
https://www.jeep.com//hostb/crossbra...hp?topic=26468
If your zipper is dragging or sticking DO NOT use WD40 or any other oil that could stain or damage your soft top. Use MOPAR zipper cleaner/lubricant part# 5066440AA
or Bestop part# 11206-00. Both are a 2oz bottle and both are priced about $10.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: beaver county pa
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: virginia
Rear window pos
I've owned 2 YJ'S and never had as much frinkin' touble with the rear window removal than with this "brand new" JK rear window. The zipper was F'd from the factory and even though the dealship, with 2 sets of needle nose pliers, have been able to fix it, it still jumps "tracks" on the left side of the window
. This top has to go! Talk about a pisser, when you're at the beach with a newbie ride and you can't put the top down becaause of a poor design "zipper", COME ON MAN!. I must have new top!
. This top has to go! Talk about a pisser, when you're at the beach with a newbie ride and you can't put the top down becaause of a poor design "zipper", COME ON MAN!. I must have new top!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Try rubbing a bar of ivory or dove soap on the zippers. Try it on a short section of zipper first but when I had my old wrangler this helped and seemed to last quite a while. But try it first to be sure it helps your situation.
I also agree back window unzipping was easier when corner flaps were loose first.
When zipping it in pull down on the top frame of the soft top at the corner which reduces tension on the zipper and helps it zip.
I also agree back window unzipping was easier when corner flaps were loose first.
When zipping it in pull down on the top frame of the soft top at the corner which reduces tension on the zipper and helps it zip.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by flyfish29
Try rubbing a bar of ivory or dove soap on the zippers. Try it on a short section of zipper first but when I had my old wrangler this helped and seemed to last quite a while. But try it first to be sure it helps your situation.
I also agree back window unzipping was easier when corner flaps were loose first.
When zipping it in pull down on the top frame of the soft top at the corner which reduces tension on the zipper and helps it zip.
I also agree back window unzipping was easier when corner flaps were loose first.
When zipping it in pull down on the top frame of the soft top at the corner which reduces tension on the zipper and helps it zip.
This also works wonders on dresser drawer rails that stick.
