Freedom-Top removal tips...
 

Does anyone have any tips concerning the removal and replacement of the Freedom-Top? My main concerns are scratching the paint. If I had a garage I'd rig something up but I don't have that luxury...it's all "elbow grease" for me.

stack them seperately or if you have to, stack them on top of each other but with the white parts facing together.

I made the dumba$$ move of put the painted side up against the latch and now have a nice 6 inch long scratch :sad2:

Do you mean the whole hard top, or just the panels? :thinking:

I think that is what they are getting at is the removal the to 2 front panels....not the entire hardtop. Probably concerned with getting a good seal again for water/wind whistles.

If you do scratch the panels...which will happen sometime....just have a BLACK Sharpie pen in your glove box and color in the white scratch or chip....almost a perfect match.

i seperate my panels with a old quilt the wife had laying around keeps them from getting scratched atleast until I can get into the new house and put something together in the garage.

i think he is talking about the rear portion of the hard top not the freedom panels here.....if you are indeed talking about the rear portion then you can do a search on this site as there are several threads for home made lifting/storage devices and ideas.....if not making anything i would strongly recommend using two people to remove it....it's not that heavy, just awkward...

Just follow the deestruckshuns in the owner's manual. It helps to have two people, too.

This might not be for everyone here but I have an 09 Unlimited I take the 2 freedom panels off then open the hatch window and open the lift gate then I sit with my feet hanging out of the back and do an overhand press almost directly above (this is the balance point) from there i shimmy my way until i can stand up and just walk off with the top still pressed over my head from there you can rig up 2 saw horses or whatever you want to place it on, I have even just squated it on the ground, the reinstlation is essentially the reverse but I have had a bit more difficulty doing that by myself. not the easiest but with no garage and only one person this is the best way I have found to do it

x2 That's how I do it. I must admit that my top and body are pinstriped to death. So, when I remove the top I have little regard for a scratch here or there. :wink: