I am picking up a brand new factory soft top and hardware from a guy in MD this saturday. Has anyone removed their hard top and installed a soft top in it's place. I can read instructions, but I was wondering if anyone had issues that I should look out for, or tips that I could use. Thanks in advance.

 

I installed mine a few months ago - no issues at all.

 

Make sure you get the surrounds and knobs

 

I asked the guy if it was complete. He said that his jeep came with the 2 top option and he pulled the rolled up soft top and boxes out and has never installed it. I am going to make sure I have everything first. I got it for a steal!

 

if its all boxed up never opened you got it all nice

 

I would order these quick release bow knuckles to replace the screws.
h$$p://www.jcwhitney.com/BESTOP-QUICK-RELEASE-BOW-KNUCKLES/GP_2016701_N_111+10208+600016056_10108.jcw

Another thing, when (if) you remove it to put your hard top back on for the winter, find a way to differentiate which support lines up with which screw hole. Second spring I had mine, I somehow got one backwards. Pulled it, without looking, thought it was stuck and gave it a good tug. Slightly warped the header, which the dealer thankfully covered under warranty.

Main thing, take your time.

 

I am in the same boat. Picked mine up for 450 yesterday and it is complete with the exception of the door surrounds, but it is a jumble of parts at the moment. I am hoping to get those too soon.

 

I bought a used soft top on e-bay and the guy who sold forgot to include the brackets that hold bows. These brackets attach to the roll bar...

When I was ready to put the soft top on after removing the hard top, I realized that I need the brackets. Then, I had to call the guy to send them to me and had to put the hard top back meanwhile.

The guy dealt the situation well and once I got the brackets, I have been enjoying the soft top in the summer.

 

A sunny warm day sure helps, the sailcloth can be real tight the first time, let it sit in the sun for a hour or so before you get to the fastening down part. Gi

 

Thanks for the heads up guys. I have one more question:
Since his jeep came with the 2 top option, is there any soft top parts that the factory pre-installed on his hard top jeep to make it easier to install his soft top? I just need to make sure that I get all the parts from him, and not forget a bracket that may have been pre-installed from the factory.