Hi guys! I have what's hopefully an easy question to answer. I recently installed my soft top (thanks to the great information on this forum), but was unable to figure out one thing.

I'm having a hard time afixing the soft top to the door frame just above the b-pillar. Basically, there's a small, plastic tab that doesn't want to fit into the channels of the door frame. I've tried over and over again, and the silly thing just won't fit. One of the reasons is because there is a small amount of foam preventing the plastic tab from staying in the channel.

Since a picture speaks a thousand words, here's some shots of the flap I'm talking about:

Rear Door Opened


Rear Door Closed


As you can see, when the door is closed, there is still a gap from where the tab won't fit into the channel. I'm afraid this will cause leaks, as the gap is large enough for me to fit my finger into it.

Does anyone have any tips or pointers to tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks in advance!

 

The top arrow points to a lip of hard plastic. This part just needs to be "rolled" into place (in line with the rest of the lips).
The second arrow (shorter) points to the rubber piece that is preventing you from doing this. It is tough on mine (bought Sept. 16, 2006) but a little pressure will help.
I find it helpful to have both doors open while doing this.

P.S. the foam can be squished a little.

 

Thanks ZoomZoomJr! I appreciate you taking the time to work with my images.

So, if I understand you correctly, I should be able to make the plastic tab (marked with the long arrow) fit into the channel by pushing on the hard rubber (marked with the short arrow). In other words, the rubber should give a little for the tab to fit?

Thanks again!

 

Alright...I tried again and was able to get one side in successfully! The other side just won't budge. I've pushed on the tab and have tried "rolling" it into place several times. I've moved the rubber out of the way and have pushed the surrounding tabs into the channel to ensure a proper fit. The tab doesn't want to stay put since there's nothing to hold it in place. It just keeps popping out.

With the doors closed, it's not too bad, but there is a noticeable gap. I'm really worried about wind noise and water leaks. :(

*sigh*

 

Yes, that rubber needs to be pushed toward the interior of the Jeep so that is fine. If you post some pics of the other side (how you have it, your top by the long arrow, and your frame by the short arrow) I will try to help.

 

Okie dokie...here are a few more pictures, though they're pretty close to the previous ones I posted.

The first image is of the gap that exists above the door since the plastic tab won't stay in place. My thumbs are raw from trying to push this into the *correct* position.



This image shows the tab a little better with the door open. I apologize for the blurry shot, but my camera was running out of battery and wouldn't focus properly. Still though, you can see the renegade tab that won't stay in place.



I've pushed and pushed and pushed. Unless I'm grossly misunderstanding how this works, I may be SOL on the gap.

Thanks again for your help zoom!

 

Looks like it is the same issue on both sides. Go to sleep, wake up, eat some Wheaties, then try to force it. Make sure to open both doors, and force it by the front door first, then the back will go easier. There might be something wrong with the rubber on the pillar. Maybe a dealer can help (I know that is a long shot). Other than that, I have to pass this on to someone else because I am at a loss.
P.S. My dad is Zoom Zoom, I am Zoom Zoom Jr.

 

Don't clip the front of the top to the windshield untill you have the little tabs tucked under. that make them easier to do.

 

Here's how i do it.
START withthe trouble area. I keep both doors open. one hand on either side of the pillar thumbs on either side of the pillar. Pull down on the rain gutter with all your fingers while pushing /rolling the channel into the grove.

 

when i removed my hard top and installed the soft top, I had the same issue but with time, it seemed that the top did loosen up a bit and those once pesky little tabs are no problem to get in there now. So a bit of patience might help.

My problem is that my soft top slaps badly with the windows open, I have the dealer ordering the TSB kit to fix this, but I guess it's one more annoyance I have to deal with since I got my early JK with a build date of Oct 2006.

oh well, but at least I have one....enjoy yours.