Soft Top Frankenstein
 

So I just came across an OEM soft top used for a great deal, all I needed we’re side windows.

Today I found another soft top for $40, with a tear on top and some missing parts, but it had the windows!
I laid them both out in back yard to clean and I found some subtle differences and I’m hoping for some help.

I believe the first one I bought was just the standard fold all the way back soft top.

The second one (with the tear) appears to possibly have the sun rider (sun roof) feature.

These are practically identical outside of a few things.
the first one has the tension cable, the second does not. The second one has slightly different bars and knuckles, hence the belief that it has sunrider feature.

just looking for confirmation if any of you recognize them, and do you think it’s at all possible to use the first top with the second hardware if indeed it is sunrider top? I’m guessing not as the second top seems to have a slightly more reenforced edge.

Thank you!
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...1d78a0a4a.jpeg
Second top, possibly sunrider hinge?
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...c5c7a2a49.jpeg
Second top, reenforced edge
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...f56004131.jpeg
First top hinge
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...6e7c61a00.jpeg
First top
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...6eff0215e.jpeg
First top non reenforced edge
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...0910a2f1c.jpeg
Second top

So I'm not as familiar with the 4dr tops but the reinforced edge is going to be a 07-09 soft top and generally speaking, that's not one you want. The way it clips into the door surround makes for an unpleasant experience and they're bound to tear between the two reinforcements (the clips that go into the channel on the door surround). The other top is newer. With that said, they made some changes to the sizes of the windows, I think 2011 it was when they did that. The rear window is going to be wider on a newer top. And for the sunrider piece you think you've got- it doesn't look like the 2dr but again, it may differ in the 4dr model.

Thank you, that does make sense. The more I keep reading and researching. I did notice last night the rear window difference, but the side windows still fit. :thumbsup:

I think I may just give it a try this weekend and see what happens!

Just keep in mind that the two different styles use differnt door surrounds too. They are technically the same, but the newer cable one has v-shaped trays stapled into the surrounds where the flaps on the old ones would normally tuck under. As an owner of both styles I can tell you with 10000% confidence that the newer is better in almost every aspect. I ripped the thread on the old ones so manu times pulling the little flaps out from the lips, I got a tear in the canvas where it folds back for "sunrider" because the plastic was too stiff, it leaked like crazy from the front a-pillars, and it used a plastic header which made for A LOT of air noise at 50+ mph. Every one of these problems vanished when I swapped over to the newer system.

But yeah, you are going to have to source out a new reat window. I think I paid 50 or so for mine off CL.

-edit-

Oh yeah, for what it's worth, both versions do the whole sunrider thing

Thank you! I went back out to examine and I can see now that both have the sunrider. Looks like I’m good to go now as the second soft top windows fit the first one I bought! Top down here we come!

I can’t seem to find which bolts Holt this to the frame. Any thoughts? Just a generic hardware store set of bolts?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...2c94312f7.jpeg
Doesn’t seem to show the bolts on the break down diagrams I have seen

oh... the mounting brackets are different between the two tops as well... will try to remember to check my bolt size when i get home but if you look at my post history you sill see i forget everything that i say during the work day (oops)

I'm almost positive those are M6 bolts IIRC. The length won't matter really since they are going in to the rollbar, but probably an inch would do. Can't recall the thread pitch but want to say the courser of the available options, readily available at your local Ace or hardware store. Easier to find as a hex (or mini-hex) bolt than and allen head.

I'll try to look tonight if nobody as gotten back with exact specs.

I forgot to check last night, but randomly remembered just now. I can confirm that is an M6 bolt, I believe .75 thread (course). Anything an inch long will work just fine for ya. As noted, probably easiest to find a mini hex bolt than something with an allen head.

Pretty sure the ones on my 08 are 10mm hex. I keep an emergency 10mm socket in my jack storage JIC