or is the 4 door soft top a real beyatch to put back up?! any tips or tricks aside from letting it sit in the sun first?

 

Nope... it's just you... LOL Just kidding.

The biggest hint I can give you is this. Put the front on first. That is to say... attach the front two black clasps above the visors first... then, when you attach the back corners, reach up and pull the bar down until you just enough slack to attach the corners.

 

ya last night I figured that if I attaches the front latches but don't latch them down all the way and then attach the rear corners that seems a bit easier. I hate to even put it up but at times I need to

 

There is a video on the jeep website that shows the best way to put up or down the top. The mention latching the front but not completely closing the latches.

 

It might be a bit cold right now, and that could be your problem.
In the summer when I take the top down, I remove it. We have a Bikini Top and Trail Duster, and that's what I normally keep on all summer. Never had any big problems removing or installing. For removing I just start at the front, unlatch and begin to fold back, pulling all the plastic strips on both sides as I go. Once I get the thing folded to the back, and remove the plastic strips and fold the thing up in the back. I climb in and remove the screrws at the rear and just remove the entire top, then fold it all up and put it in the basement.
To install, I set the top on the back rollbar, pull the rear framework down and install the screws. Then standing in the back cargo area, just gently lay the top forward. Once I get it layed out to the front, I simply go back, starting on one side and insert the plastic strips from the rear forward. I go from one side to the other untill I have the thing in place, then lay the front on top of the front windshield piller. Once that is done I go the the back and pull the rear down. Put the rear crossmember that hooks to the tailgat in place, and tuck in the rear plastic strips. Once that is all done, I go inside and wrap the top around the mid frame and secure the velcro. I install the rear window, then the rear side windows, installing the velcro as I go. Once all done I check and re-tighten the velcro on the rear side windows as needed. Once all is in place, I go inside at the front drivers seat and latch it up at the front windshield. Recheck the velcro at the mid frame, Recheck all plastic strips, including the rear door channel for the rear windows.
Takes me about 20 minites to get the entire top off, and about 15 to get it back on. And that's by myself. Since the wife sometimes likes to help since it's her JK, I must add about 10 minutes.

 

Is there a specific part of putting it back up that's giving you a fit?
All of the front latch comments makes me think my top isn't as tight as others. Two nights ago it had shrunk enough to amke it hard rolling the top into the gutters over the door. When it's warm I can almost throw them in place.

My most annoying task is zipping the rear window in again. It seems to need extra guidance with the free hand to get it around the corners.

 

Hmm... maybe temp is the problem, since I live in SoCal where it never drops below 45ish and I've never had an issue. When I do it, I just lift the whole thing so the bows are resting on the retainers, slide it forward into place, flip it down, do the side retainers first (back, then front on each side), then the rear flaps, then the two metal latches up front, then the windows. Takes me about 2 minutes. Like Ge99ne, the only thing that may hold me up here and there is the back window zipper but I've found, if it gives you an issue, that running a wetnap along the zipper teeth quickly will make things a lot easier.

 

My issue is always the back window zipper. I ruined it the last time i put it up. I am hoping the dealer will warranty it

The Zipper is shot, teeth are all bent at the lower corner. I have had an issue with it since day 1.

Anyone else have the rear zipper problem?

 

It's gotta be done in a certain order and once you figure it out it'll go up and down in just a few minutes. It couldn't be any easier IMO.

 

I am, when I took it off in the fall my rear window wouldn't zip off. I need to get it fixed before summer, but I can't seem to get it to budge. Its crossed "toothed", not sure what the real term would be.