Hey Everyone,

Need some advice - Installing the Soft top for the first time and it's been very frustrating.

I'm having a hard time getting the drip rail into the door frame. Is it suppose to snap in?

Also, any advice on how to make the zipping up the back window easier?

Thanks

 

I've always had the best luck installing the rear window first, despite what the manual says. I do this because you can adjust the sail panels (the two pieces that hang down that secure the rear of the top to the rear body of the Jeep) as you're trying to fit the vinyl window in there.

The plastic "rails" tuck into the channel on the sides of the door surrounds and in the channel in the body of the Jeep. The one on the door surrounds for the two rear quarter windows is the most difficult. If you have any questions, PM me.

 

I hit the corners and end points of the zippers with a little vasaline. it makes the zippers a little easier. Also, they loosen up as you use them more. I have used mine about 8 times now and they are already getting much easier.

 

First, there are some good general resources on putting up the top - check around for some of the videos (here on one the jeep site). But the main thing I would mention is the temperature - if you are doing it on a colder day - it will be a lot harder - especially if it's a new top. For the zipper, you can also try taking a candle along the zipper to wax it. It does take a little more pulling than you would expect. I have at times clamped down the front first and then gone to the back and pulled down at the back top corners to help get the rear sails under the tub (there is some flex in the soft top frame). Good luck - post back if you are still having problems.

 

The zipper does pretty good if when zipping it to the RIGHT- Pull the string straight along the direction of travel with your RIGHT hand and with your LEFT hand push the zipper body as it engages the teeth. This zipper system has much finer guage teeth than earlier era jeeps, and when the zipper body leans to one side or another the teeth have a tendenct to bind....obviously when zipping to the left do the reverse...works extremely well when you get accustomed to doing it this way. I install the 1/4 panel windows by first zipping them completely, then roll the window edge around the rear door opening and snap it in. Make sure not to install the plastic window front edge too high in the rear door opening slot starting out, you can slide it up tight and even once you have the whole length installed.Then I snap the bottom edge of the window canvas into the lower track. Adjust the velcro tight and you are good to go....

 

Agree about weather. Once and a while I get stuck putting up the top in the cold and it is tough. About the rear window there is wax you caab put on