Anybody have a tip for a soft top newbie?
(with the JK Unlimited)
I put the top in Sunrider mode for a couple days (I'm in Florida) for the first time and love it, but tonight when I went to put it back on I find I can't get top near enough the latch to close the latch. Is there a trick to that? Does this mean it's laying wrong somehow? I've pushed as hard as I can forward on the latch and it doesn't seem to budge -- maybe if I tapped it with a rubber mallet or something? I seems to be in the right place. It's pretty warm here, maybe 80, but does it need to warm up in the sun or something? Any tips appreciated, I don't want to bust the thing but if it rains I'm cooked.
--tim

 

Work your way from back to front making sure your cross memebrs aren't off track. The only thing I can recomend is when you take the latch be sure it's up against the roof, then swing down the hook and try and grab the latch. Other than that, if you're off... something is seriously wrong. you might do more damage than it worth trying to force it. Start all over again. Make sure you didn't pop one of your springs that keep it in sun-rider mode. Good luck

 

I don't have a JK or Sunrider (yet) but when this used to happen on my TJs, I would unhook one of the rear D-pillars of the soft top, then latch up front, then go back to the rear and reinsert the D-pillar plastic thing under the metal groove. It always worked.

Try doing this in midday sun. The heat makes the soft top more pliable and it stretches easily. In colder weather, the top contracts and puts up a lot of resistance. Good luck, and if I'm totally not making sense than thanks for reading anyways!

 

Thanks everybody. Good information all. The seating thing sounds key.
Now I have to admit that it's a good thing I didn't ask my Jeep if it was OK to have a wife. Because my wife said "calm down and you'll figure it out in the morning." And it was true.
In the dark I just couldn't see how the latch worked, how it reaches down to hook onto the loop and pull it the last little bit to close it. It still doesn't seem to be seated right, I mean the sides don't snap in like they did before I opened it, maybe that stuff is the answer. I'll take it back off and try again.
There are some great writeups (like wayoflife's) on taking the top down -- good to hear some input on putting it BACK!
"same steps in reverse" may not tell the whole story.
--tim

 

Revisit this top issue.

When I originally installed the soft top yesterday I installed the above mentioned "C" end caps straddling the front side rail and was able to get the front latches closed. Looking closer I notice right below the C end caps was a slot in the door rail that looked like something should be down inside like the C thing maybe. After undoing the front latches I was able the push the C thing below the side bar and move it forward enough to get it in the notch described above. Front latches close alot easier and there is no bulging peak above the B pillar like when the C thing straddles the side bar. The top is now a little stretched across the seam where the bar runs from left to right but figure it will tighten back up after a few heating and cooling cycles.

Should the C thing straddle the bar or be below it in the slot on the top of the door channel like I currently have it. ?

Should the C thing only straddle the bar when the top is back in Sunrider mode?

Also notice that on the passenger side the rubber trim that connects to the window frame has is a little pucker on the front edge about 2 inches from the end and has pulled away from the window frame. The adhesive has let go in a little spot. Does not look to be a leaking threat. What is the best rubber adhesive I can use to stick this rubber trim back to the window frame? Don’t won’t the dealership to “fix” it for me as they will likly jack it up even more.

Sorry can’t figure out how to make my pictures small enough to post yet.

 

The "c" rides on the tubing as descibed above. Mine usually drops right in on one side & has to be guided on the other. Sounds like yo already worked out the way the roof latches work.

They do reach further if you open them all the way against the roof. Not sure if this varies from jeep to Jeep, but my driver's side is easiest to engage first.

My top isn't nearly as tight as it was on day one. In fact on a mid nineties day a while back it was down right floppy. The sides on mine still snap crisply into place. Maybe something is still out of place?

 

it will be tight for a bit too.... let it sit in the sun for about 20 minutes and then you can stretch it further... it will loosen up over time

 

I agree that most everyone post that the C rides on the tube and the manual says that also but why is their a perfect slot just below the C on the bolt on plastic door frame for it to fit in. That too tempting for a guy like me. It just can't be a coincidence? Also look at the c piller just behind the second door. By forcing this side tube lower it forces the bolt on plastic post tighter against the body at the bottom.

As you can tell the Army has forced me to think outside the box and look for a better mouse trap or am I being too creative and cause some top damage by my "below the rail c method"

No I'm not bored, got plety of honey doos to work on but I just love this JK.

 

Ok I went back out & looked at mine since I posted. I remember dropping my crossbar into the slot you are describing. It sure looked like the thing to do a the time. As to why they put it there, I dont know. I believe the purpose of those "fins" is to hold the knuckle lin line with the rest of the soft top frame. One potential drawback of running the crossbar at that point is less tension in the roof. I would expect more flapping at higher speeds. Maybe there is a chance of breaking one of the plastic tabs if it's not on the bar. They are moulded to wrap the bar. Most of the loading is along the center line of the metal tube. In the alternate location all the down force is being carried through one side of the plastic tab.

 

Good call I agree with your assessment 100%. As of last night I went back to the C riding on the crossbar like in the manual for all the same reasons you stated. Took a trip to VA Beach last night to see our favorite local band "Butter" play at 31st street and top did seem to flap a little less in the wind. Thanks again my Hampton Roads friend.